“Swimming is a fun and enjoyable activity for both children and adults, and it’s an easy way to stay physically active and improve strength, flexibility and stamina,” said Ashley Coticchio, Aquatic Specialist. “The Y encourages all children and adults learn to swim; it’s never too late. Basic swimming skills and water safety practices save lives every day.”

However, only 19 percent of U.S. children get 60 minutes of physical activity a day, according to the latest findings of the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot – a survey that gauges children’s activity levels during the school year.  Central Bucks Family Y recommends swim lessons for all ages and skill levels to nurture lifelong healthy activity.  As the lessons provide students the opportunity to enhance or learn new stroke techniques, participants also meet new friends, develop self-confidence, and cultivate a positive mental attitude.

To foster the development of swimming as a lifelong activity, we are proud to launch SwimSmart!   With the first classes starting the week of June 17, SwimSmart is highlighted by:

• Enhanced learning and skill progression with students attending 3-4 classes per week.
• Flexibility with your family’s summer schedule with sessions running in two-week increments and classes occurring in the morning or afternoon.
• Intensive skill development, reinforcement, repetition and fun with low class ratios.

As a nonprofit that is committed to youth development, Central Bucks Family YMCA has been a leader in providing swim lessons and water safety for more than 40 years.  There are a variety of programs to choose, including weekly swim lessons, intensive swim lessons (SwimSmart), Family Float Nights, swim team, synchronized swimming, and more. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, financial assistance is available.

To learn more about Central Bucks Family YMCA’s swim programs, please connect with Ashley Coticchio at 215-348-8131, x1409. To register for one of the many great classes, please connect with our Welcome Center or visit our website.

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.

Amy McGahran, NASM certified personal trainer
Y Fitness Instructor

Amy will be teaching Women’s Weight Training for the summer session on Tuesday and Thursdays at 10-11am and Saturday at 8:15-9:15am and S.O.S workshops. 

Stop in to register or register online at these links:  SOS training       Women’s Weight Training

For information on Women’s Weight Training, connect with Rebecca Miller Russo, 215.348.8131, x1185.

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.

First, I would like to thank Valerie Tanner!  Even though I was giving her a hard time before the race for “convincing” me to do it, I am so glad she did!  It was truly one of the best experiences of my life.  The challenge of the race was phenomenal of course. But, the race didn’t compare to the camaraderie and team building that it created.  I was so proud of everyone and in awe of what we accomplished as a team. I have to admit that although I may be physically fit, I am afraid of everything. I have a fear of heights, I am not too keen on being in the water and I am mildly claustrophobic…but, I did things yesterday that I never dreamed I could or would ever do.  And,  I did them because I had the support and encouragement of my team.  I am honored and proud to have worked with everyone on the Y Tough Mudder Team. I’m proud of all we accomplished!

Lisa Ojert is a group fitness instructor at Central Bucks Family YMCA.  For information on group fitness classes with Lisa, connect with Rebecca Miller Russo, 215.348.8131.

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.

The Y is committed to nurturing youth development, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility to ensure that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive in a safe environment. The “Darkness to Light” program, which educates the Y staff and the community in child abuse prevention, is the newest in a long list of overall risk management and safety precautions taken at the Y.

With the addition of the Darkness to Light child sexual abuse prevention training, Central Bucks Family YMCA is proud of the practices and systems in place to ensure a safe environment for all members, staff and community who utilize their facility and grounds.

Staff hiring and training practices include pre-screening of every employee through detailed employment applications, reference checks, criminal background and child abuse clearances, as well as FBI background checks for preschool employees. Once hired, staff must stay current with CPR, First Aid, AED, bloodborne pathogens, and emergency oxygen certifications and attend child abuse training. The Y keeps emergency oxygen, AED equipment, wheelchairs and walkers and other first aid equipment in key areas throughout their campus.

In the aquatics center, a wristband system is in place to help lifeguards and staff identify a swimmer’s abilities. Testing of young swimmers is also required before they are able to swim in deeper waters and height requirements are strictly adhered for waterslide use.

Child Watch also utilizes a wristband system, requiring caregivers to place matching wristbands on themselves and their children to be matched together when returning for the child.

Routine drills are frequently held in all areas of the Y to ensure that staff are prepared for emergencies. Drills are evaluated by risk management staff to ensure that policies and procedures are current. Surveillance cameras are located through the campus.

For more information on the Y’s safety practices and risk management procedures, connect with Ro Molyneux at the Y, 215.348.8131.

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.

Unlike the well-known celebrities who have recently gone through cancer scares or treatments, many of our THRIVE participants may not have had the same luxury of having everything money and fame can buy.  So many people I know with cancer have run into financial problems because they can’t work during treatment.  Or they have to work (they have no choice) and physically wear themselves out.  Or, even worse, they don’t have the support of loved ones surrounding them.

But here at the Y, we have THRIVE.  We don’t have to strap ourselves financially to join the program (and have our families join the Y during our time with the program.)  We don’t have to worry about a support system, because we are surrounded by a new group of friends and family (both in the class and throughout the Y.) And we don’t have to worry about our strength; we have the trainers and fitness staff working closely with us to get our lives back one step at a time.

And after our class is over? The Y is still there for us.  Financial assistance for those wishing to continue at the Y but can’t afford it.  Our THRIVE community is there for those that wish to continue the friendship and support. And of course, there are all the wonderful classes and staff to keep us on our path to strength.

Recently I met a couple who was going to have to cancel their membership at the Y because cancer treatments were draining them financially and the strength to get to the Y was gone too.  I had the opportunity to sit and chat with them about THRIVE.  I wish everyone who contributed to the Community Support Campaign could have seen their faces as they learned about the possibilities.

So thank you again.  The first class of THRIVE is approaching their one year anniversary and that’s awesome.  Your support means so many more families can celebrate their anniversaries in the future.  And that’s even more awesome!

For further information THRIVE, connect with Angela Oprendek, 215.348.8131.

Mary Madison is a cancer survivor and former participant in the THRIVE program. She currently works at the Welcome Center.

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.

Central Bucks Family YMCA received a $3000 CVS Caremark Community Grant in May, 2013. The Y’s mission is closely aligned with CVS Caremark All Kids Can, the company’s signature philanthropic program committed to helping children of all abilities be the best that they can be in life. The grant from CVS Caremark will help the Y continue to offer adapted activities for individuals with disABILITIES/special needs through our Ability programs.

“Our goal at our Y is to continue to provide ways to support our growing community, individuals with varying needs and abilities.  As we do so, we knock down barriers along the way, to provide ways for our participants to improve their overall well-being and provide equal opportunities for them to do so, and that is what we set out to do in 2008. We are so grateful for CVS Caremark for the overall support towards our mission,” said Brooke Volpe, Associate Director of Ability programs.

“The CVS Caremark Community Grants Program supports organizations that truly make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities and their families,” said Hanley Wheeler, senior vice president, CVS/pharmacy WEST Operations.  “We are so proud of the impact Central Bucks Family YMCA has made in the community and we look forward to working with them to fulfill their program’s mission.”

Ability programs at Central Bucks Family YMCA offer adapted aquatics, physical activities and social experiences for youth and adults with disABILITIES. The program is designed to provide success for all with support from professional staff. The program includes adapted activities and social programs including adapted aquatics, fitness, sports, biking, music therapy, karate, peer/social groups, and adapted Cub, Boy and Girl Scout groups. Ability memberships and financial assistance are also available to all who qualify.

For more information on the Ability programs at Central Bucks Family YMCA, connect with Brooke Volpe, at 215.348.8131, x1141.

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.

About CVS Caremark All Kids Can

CVS Caremark All Kids Can, a program of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and CVS Caremark, is committed to supporting children with disabilities. The goals of All Kids Can are to support children with disabilities by raising awareness in schools and in local communities about the importance of inclusion, creating greater opportunities for physical activity and play, and providing access to medical rehabilitation. CVS Caremark and its more than 200,000 employees plan to help children with disabilities learn, play, and succeed through partnerships with leading local and national nonprofit organizations such as VSA and many others across the country. www.cvscaremarkallkidscan.com.

 About CVS Caremark

CVS Caremark is dedicated to helping people on their path to better health as the largest integrated pharmacy company in the United States. Through the company’s more than 7,400 CVS/pharmacy stores; its leading pharmacy benefit manager serving more than 60 million plan members; and its retail health clinic system, the largest in the nation with more than 600 MinuteClinic locations, it is a market leader in mail order, retail and specialty pharmacy, retail clinics, and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. As a pharmacy innovation company with an unmatched breadth of capabilities, CVS Caremark continually strives to improve health and lower costs by developing new approaches such as its unique Pharmacy Advisor program that helps people with chronic diseases such as diabetes obtain and stay on their medications. Find more information about how CVS Caremark is reinventing pharmacy for better health at info.cvscaremark.com.

The future of our Bucks County Youth
Strengthening youth and families by inspiring groundbreaking strategies and connections

Partnership. What can that word mean when used to describe the major non-profit, government, health and youth organizations in Bucks County?  On June 4-6, we’ll find out.

Organizations throughout Bucks County will gather at Krauskopf Library on the Delaware Valley College campus to examine trends and issues that affect the future of our youth and families.  They will identify ways to overcome obstacles, strategize new approaches and plan to join forces where needed.

Over sixty-five individuals from county groups of first responders, organizations promoting healthy and positive choices, government, basic needs services, faith-based services, coaches, teachers and mentors, will gather for a three-day, 16-hour conference and work in small groups to better understand the problems facing county youth, families and the organizations that assist them. They will be joined by students, youth and parents so that all sides of the issues will be heard.

The conference, sponsored by Central Bucks Family YMCA, was conceptualized as a result of conversations between Zane Moore, President/CEO of Central Bucks Family YMCA and leaders from throughout the Bucks County region. Based on these conversations, Moore developed a plan to bring together a wide variety of area organizations to challenge them to think beyond their walls and consider the greater good of the whole community.

The conference is further supported by Delaware Valley College, Doylestown Hospital, United Way, Bucks County Technical High School, Curtin and Heefner and Boy Scouts of America Bucks County Council.

For further information on “The Future of our Bucks County Youth” conference, connect with Rachel Mauer, 215.348.8131, x1167.

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.

Everywhere a traveler ventures life expands.  The author Pat Conroy says, “Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers.  The mind can never break off from the journey.”

Actually, it’s not the orangutans we meet but the people, especially the children, that change us.  We always look to the children as the hope of the future because they are so open to dreaming big.  The Balinese children high fiving us as we rode thru their villages.  The teenager at a fort in India who scaled a cliff to play on our sympathies so that my friends and I would buy his necklaces.  My daughter’s students in Poland in the 90’s who were thrilled to learn English rather than Russian.  The Vietnamese children who read my journal aloud—in English–over my shoulder and then dissolved into giggles because I had just written, “how adorable the children are!!”

Barry Glassner, President of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, says, _

“Our students need experience at engaging other cultures, need to be good at interacting with people whose backgrounds and perspectives are different from their own, if they are to find their way in the global society they are entering.  The world needs a generation of young people to come prepared for a workplace and society that are more globally independent than they have ever been.”

I agree.  This is why I’m supporting the Y’s sponsorship of 15 young people and four staff members to go to Prague to participate in the 2013 YMCA Europe Youth Festival in August.  There they will meet teens from Y’s all over the world who will bring different languages, different backgrounds, different perspectives, different ideas to the workshops and late night discussions.  What a fabulous opportunity for our teens to share and learn and bring back their dreams to fulfill.

From August 4-10, the YMCA Love 2 Live Europe Festival will provide a unique opportunity for 10,000 young people from across Europe and the world to come together to celebrate life, celebrate culture, celebrate diversity and celebrate all that is inspiring about being young in Europe and the wider world. During the course of a week, the Festival will take young people on a journey: exploring their dreams, aspirations & talents;  developing their leadership skills; and challenging them to make sense of the world we live in locally, nationally and globally.

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.

The membership will allow students to participate in programs at the Y including sports, fitness and arts classes,  swim lessons, and special needs programs offered to members at no or reduced cost. “As students of the preschool, these kids are already a part of the larger Y family. By making this change, we’re making it official,” says Julie Townsend, director of youth education at the Y.

Students whose families already have a family membership at the Y will receive a $19 credit each month. The membership begins when the child attends the preschool.

Central Bucks Family YMCA Preschool offers programming to youth age 2 through 5 with Kinder Enrichment programs for kindergarten students. The program aims to build on a child’s natural desire to learn new things and become more self-reliant. The preschool offers year round programming with degreed teachers, small class sizes, music and Spanish lessons, available swim lessons and transportation for Kinder Enrichment students. The preschool is located in New Britain, PA.

“Youth memberships for preschool students are just another way we are deepening our commitment to the Y’s core beliefs in Youth Development, Healthy Living, Social Responsibility,” states Kevin Crail, senior director of youth development. “In offering automatic membership to our preschoolers, we are fulfilling all three of these values.”

For more information on the Y’s Preschool, connect with Julie Townsend, 267.474.3143 or visit the Y’s website at www.cbfymca.org.

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.

“I work out five days a week for an hour and a half and I am still not losing weight!”

“I am so frustrated, I don’t know what to do!”

“ I watch what I eat but the scale is not moving!”

Have you ever said this yourself?

Did you know that muscle burns more calories at rest than fat does? Strength training can play an important role in the development of self-confidence and body satisfaction by increasing strength, toning muscles and increasing muscular endurance. It can also help maintain lean body mass (important for individuals attempting weight loss), decrease the risk of osteoporosis, develop coordination and balance, and prevent injuries resulting from weak muscles.

Studies have shown that after a strength training workout, the metabolism can be boosted for up to 36 hours post-workout, meaning rather than burning  60 calories an hour while sitting and watching TV, you’re burning 70. While you may think, ‘Big deal – 10 extra calories’, when you multiply this by 36 hours, you can see what a huge difference that makes in your daily calorie expenditure over that day and a half.

When you multiply this over a month, it becomes even clearer how regular participation in a weight lifting session will really increase your calorie burning and thus fat burning capacity.

With cardio training, you might get an extra 40-80 calories burned after a moderate paced session, and this will depend upon the exact intensity and duration of the workout.  But that is it, watching TV will still only burn those pesky 60 calories with no metabolism boost.

Hopefully, now you’re saying: “Okay, now it makes sense; I need to strength train.”  But when, what and how much?  That is where a Personal Trainer can be a benefit to you.  A Personal Trainer will create a workout for you based on your goals and exercise preference.

Not sure where to begin? Take advantage of the Y’s Cinco De Mayo training promotion. Buy any package of five sessions and get one at no additional charge.  That is six sessions to get you started on your strength training routine!

As always, connect with me if you have any questions.

Cinco de Mayo promotion flyer

Lisa Schwartzer
Personal Services Coordinator
215.348.8131, x1155

Central Bucks Family YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the quality of community life. The Y strengthens the spirit, mind and body of its members. We build character by promoting the values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility.