For kids, winter vacation signals the beginning of the end. Holidays and festivities will soon be over but winter itself is in full swing; school holidays are few and summer seems a lifetime away. For parents, it can be a constant struggle to keep children engaged and active amidst the gifts, sweet treats, and damp, dark weather.
The Telegraph newspaper agrees: “Even with the best intentions, it is easy to hibernate in winter. For starters, having the heating cranked up high makes you sleepy and less likely to move. If it’s too cold, this will make you want to eat more to keep warm.” Regular exercise is known to not only tame the holiday weight-gain but improve mood, fight illness, boost energy, and promote better sleep. Even Seasonal Affective Disorder can’t stand up to a good bout of winter activity.
The South Sound YMCA offers winter sports as part of their mission to “work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.”
Youth Development Director of the Olympia Downtown branch, Amber Wetzel, explains that their winter sports are a 7-week program running from January 25 through March 12. With a registration deadline of December 28, interested parents should contact their local Y branch for details and enrollment specifics.
This year’s winter sports offerings consist of youth basketball and volleyball. Led by dedicated volunteer coaches from across the community, teams are limited in size to approximately 10 children. Wetzel admits that while “basketball is the biggest sport of the entire year; volleyball is growing quite a bit.”
Basketball is available to kids from pre-K (3½ years old) through high school. The youngest athletes (pre-K to grade 1) practice on co-ed teams once a week with games held each Saturday. Older students are divided into boys and girls groups and practice twice a week before regular Saturday games. Volleyball players range in age from grades two through eight and play on co-ed teams.
Parents choosing to enroll their children in winter sports can make requests for specific practice times, coaches, or team-mates. Not every need can be met, but the Y staff will do their best to accommodate.
A detailed list of offerings, fees, and relevant dates can be found on the South Sound YMCA’s website. That is also where you can find all program registration forms and an application to become a volunteer coach. The Y staff hopes to include additional sports into their spring calendar including track and field and lacrosse.
Wetzel points out the importance of winter sports to kids in our community: “On average we see 1,000 kids in winter sports out of an annual total of 3,000.”
Financial assistance is available for qualifying families and many local businesses, including state employees, can join for a reduced rate. Membership also includes use of fitness equipment, indoor swimming facilities, exercise and educational classes, and discounted rates on camps and activities.
For 120 years the Y has strived to “provide youth and our community an affordable and accessible resource for the positive development of spirit, mind, and body through recreational, health, and leadership programs. Our impact is felt when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child, and when a community comes together for the common good.”
Consider winter sports an easy way to keep kids motivated, physically fit, socially active, and a budding part of our vibrant community.
For questions or to enroll, call the South Sound YMCA at 360-753-6576.
