Sticky, gooey, greasy, messy, gummy, tacky, fun!

No, these are not new names for the seven dwarfs! These words describe the ingredients used to make Sticky Fingers Week at the Marco Island YMCA such a blast . Camp attendees tried to come up with the most outrageous ingredients to assemble some really hideous looking art work. Ugh!

Stephanie Pepper, Family Service Director at the Y stated that the goal of the sticky fingers theme week was “a chance for a kid to be a kid while you’re still a kid!” I know exactly what she means because I just loved getting messy and not worrying about the consequences.

You know, in this fast pace world where kids are growing up to soon, it was fun not to see a game-boy, cell phone or other electronic stuff that kids play with and see them just being creative using their minds and hands. Parents, you don’t know what your child is missing. Send them to the Marco Island YMCA Summer camp.

Next week’s themes are “Enchanted Forest” for K through second grade. A good imagination will be a plus for this theme. Third through sixth grade attendees will have a blast during Wacky Olympics Week. Field trips scheduled for next week include going to the movies at Hollywood 20 theater, visit to the Aquatic Center, the Conservancy and Tigertail Beach.

I can’t wait, how about you?

Summer Camp sign-up continues

Summer Day Camp began June 4 and will continue through Aug. 17 at the Marco Island YMCA and at the Manatee Elementary School.

The Summer Day Camp 2007 lineup is scheduled to be the best ever with exciting new games, sports, field trips and exciting “Fun Fridays.”

Pick up and drop off for grades K through two will be at the YMCA Clubhouse and for grades three through six at Tommie Barfield School and grades K through eight at Manatee Elementary School.

Camp hours at the Marco Island YMCA are from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Manatee Elementary School with July 4 scheduled as a day off.

Listed below are the themes for each week of Summer Day Camp:

• Week 3 — Enchanted Forest

• Week 4 — Space Invaders

• Week 5 — Unbirthday Party

• Week 6 — Super Heroes

• Week 7 — Carnival

• Week 8 — Wild, Wild West

• Week 9 — Teddy Bear’s Lair

• Week 10 — Animals Are Our Friends

• Week 11 — “Y” Spirit Week

For grades 3-6:

• Week 3 — Wacky Olympics

• Week 4 — Support Our Troops

• Week 5 — Masquerades

• Week 6 — Food-A-Rama

• Week 7 — Weird Science

• Week 8 — Mysteries of Marco

• Week 9 — Strut Your Stuff

• Week 10 — Medieval Week

• Week 11 — “Y” Spirit Week

For more information or to sign up, Contact Stephanie Pepper at 394-3144, ext. 203.

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Summertime is the best time to sharpen your tennis skills! Why?

Summertime means vacation and vacation means travel and this is the best time of the year to sharpen your skills and reserve your court time because the “Y” tennis courts are available more now then the rest of the year.

Are you a tennis novice? Do you have some tennis experience? Nobody to play tennis with? Do you live in a condo or are a member of the Newcomers Club of Marco Island?

If you answer yes to any of the above, come to the “Round Robin” tennis sessions held at the “Y” tennis facility. The “Y” staff will match you up with a player equal to your ability.

“Round Robins” are normally free to members and $10 for non-members, but during the month of July members of the Newcomers Club and residents of condos in the Marco Island YMCA service area can save the $10 fee and attend a free “Round Robin” session.

“Round Robins” will be scheduled if enough players register. Call 394-3144, ext. 224 to register for a “Round Robin” during the month of July.

New classes

Gyrokinesis and stretch classes have a new day and time.

Gyrokinesis incorporates key principles from yoga, dance gymnastics and tai chi and uses natural elements of spinal movement.

Gyrokinesis class will meet Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

Stretch class is scheduled for Thursdays at 10 a.m.

You still can sign up!

Tumble time

Gymnastic students can register now to attend three new gymnastic summer camps at the Marco Island YMCA.

All three camps will be taught by Y staff member Lyndsi Koszo, who was ranked in the top 20 of Elite Power Tumblers in the USA and has over six years of coaching experience in gymnastics and cheerleading.

The class schedules are as follows:

• Week 1 — Mini Tumbling Camp (Dance Room), June 18-22, ages 3-6, 10 a.m. until noon.

• Week 2 — Floor Exercises (Airnasium), July 16-20, ages 6-13, noon until 2 p.m.

• Week 3 — Apparatus Work-Out (Beam bar and vault), Aug. 6-10, noon until 2 p.m.

Cost is $85 for members and $105 for non members for each session.

For more information or to register for the programs contact the Customer Service Desk 394-3144, ext. 0.

Summer theater camp starts June 18

Theater camp returns for its’ sixth season! There will be a workshop and three productions scheduled.

Workshops include; voice control, stage presence, taking direction and plenty of theater games to build on your acting skills.

Everyone will be cast! Participants will audition for primary roles. Plays may be subject to change.

Tentative schedule of sessions:

• Week 1 — Action Stage Right Theater Workshop, noon-3 p.m., June 18-22

• Week 2 — Bye Bye Birdie, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., June 25-29; performance June 30

• Week 3 — Fiddler on the Roof, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., July 16-20; performance July 21

• Week 4 — Aladdin, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Aug. 6-10; performance is Aug. 11

The location is the Marco Island Lutheran Church. Directors are Gina Blassneck and Saskia Ditsch. The choreographer is Jill Demchak.

The program is for ages 7-16. Cost for the workshop is $65 for members, $80 for all others. Cost for the productions is $100 for members, $135 for all others.

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Strength training camp is back for the summer!

Stay in shape or get in shape. Improve your strength, tone muscles and condition your body.

Participants will work out on fitness equipment, cardiovascular machines and free weights.

Strength Training camp is open to students entering sixth grade and through ninth grade. Camp begins July 9 and lasts through July 20. Class time is from 1-2 p.m. Class Instructor is Carla Bottalla RN, BSN.

Carla states that the focus of the class is “health promotion, wellness and body awareness.”

Cost is $230 for members and $250 for non members. Register today at the Y.

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Calling all swimmers who wish to advance their swimming skills, prepare for upcoming high school swim season or improve personal swim goals, Competitive Edge is prescribed just for you!

Sessions are available for ages six to adult.

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Are you an associate of Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club? Become a volunteer at your Marco Island YMCA and help in obtaining Wal-Mart Foundation Dollars for this YMCA location.

Contact your store manager for details.

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Are you an early riser? Do you enjoy the pre-dawn hours?

The Marco Island YMCA currently has a job opening for the early morning customer service desk representative. This position is available Monday through Friday.

Complete job description with pay, hours and benefit information available by calling Leslie Drake, Human Resource Director, at 239-394-3144, ext .205.

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Your Marco Island YMCA is located at 101 Sandhill Street (off San Marco Road). Call 239-394-3144 or visit online at www.marcoislandymca.org.