Marco YMCA ready for 'Party in the USA Week

Photo by Steve Reynolds

Steve Reynolds/ Special to the Eagle Nick Lemke's Seibukan Karate Camp included Thomas Deegan, Ryan Geer, Charles Henry Hamilton, Leah McCardle, Ford McKee, Thomas Mudd, Sarah Nemeth, Gabriella Pernice and Grace Roloff. Not all are shown in photo.

Week 3 of the Great Marco Family YMCA Summer Day Camp is over and what an exciting week it was.

The theme of the camp was Happy Holidays and my favorite day was Monday when it was Winter Days. Campers celebrated all the winter holidays like Christmas, New Years and Hanukkah. Plenty of arts and crafts were made throughout the week, but no sled riding.

Next week it's "Party in the USA" as we celebrate the July Fourth holiday through various camp activities. The Marco YMCA will be open from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Summer Day Camp will be open from 7 a.m. to noon with a special pajama party planned.

The Summer Camp is $80 a week for Marco YMCA members and $90 for nonmembers for children ages 5 and older. This covers camp for the whole week, plus the field trips. There also is a half-day, morning or afternoon rate and a day rate. The day rate users must preregister at the Customer Service desk.

Carla Bottalla, nurse, fitness trainer and yoga instructor, will lead a summer specialty basic training session for students entering seventh and eighth grades. The program is geared to develop self-esteem, self-respect and confidence through mind and body awareness.

"My intention is to empower children to recognize their own personal strengths and do their personal best, not to be in competition, or be dependent on someone else," Botalla said.

Participants will receive instruction and hands-on experience on various equipment in the Fitness Center. The program runs July 17 to Aug. 2, on Tuesday and Thursday, from 3 to 4 p.m. The cost is $100 for Y members and $115 for nonmembers. Registration goes to July 17. All participants will be issued a Youth Orientation Card upon completion of the program. For more information contact Jennifer@marcoislandymca.org.

Programs for Adults and Children scheduled from July 1 to the 16 include:

YMCA Junior Tennis, July 2-16, ages 4 and up; YMCA Youth Swim Lessons, July 2-16; Gymnastics Camp, July 9-13 and

British Challenger Soccer, July 9-13. Register online at www.challengersports.com.

Summer Youth Basketball and Girls Youth Volleyball Travel League, practice begins July 9. Adult Boot Camp Challenge, July 9-Aug. 2, Monday and Wednesday; American Red Cross Learn to Swim Lessons, July 10-31. Tuesday and Thursday; Cheer/Tumbling Camp, July 16-20; Girls Volleyball Camp, July 16-20; Seibukan Karate Camp, July 16-20 and Day Vacation Bible School, July 16-23.

Complete program information is available at: www.marcoislandymca.org.