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Free Membership Gives 7th Graders a ‘Winter Break’ at the Y

Friday, February 15, 2013 by:Family Y
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The Y's Upper Gym bustles with activity during Open Gym time.

The Y's Upper Gym bustles with activity during Open Gym time.

Modeled after successful programs at other Ys and introduced last year here in our community, the Westport Weston Family Y’s Seventh Grade Membership Initiative offers all local seventh graders free membership, from their graduation from sixth grade to the end of the seventh grade. Last year some 125 kids took us up on our offer, and this year’s enrollment is similarly strong.

We wanted to let participants of our 7th Grade Membership Initiative know more about the Family Y’s schedule next week, Feb. 18-22, so here’s a listing of the free times in our Upper Gym and one of our Pools, as well as some special activities just for you.

Monday
Open Swim 1-6 pm; Open Gym 1:30-4 pm
Tuesday
Open Swim 1-6 pm; Open Gym 1:30-4 pm
Wednesday
Open Swim 4-6 pm; Open Gym 1:30-4 pm/5-8 pm
Thursday
Open Swim 1-6 pm; Open Gym 8:30-10 pm
Friday
Open Swim 1-6 pm; Open Gym 1:30-4 pm/5-10 pm;
Table Tennis in Dance Studio, 1-3 pm

The Y's free 7th Grade Membership offer includes orientation sessions on how to use the Fitlinxx exercise system.

Want to Use the Fitness Center?
If you have already taken your 3 Fitlinxx orientations, you can use the Fitness Center. If you still need to schedule your orientations, just call the Y to set them up, 203-226-8981. Use this week to get all your orientations done so you can work out the rest of the school year!

Our 7th Grade Members have access to the entire facility, including Group Fitness classes. Here’s that schedule, in case you want to try a Spin class, Yoga session or Zumba class next week.

If you have a friend who wants to sign up for their free Y 7th Grade Membership, great! Simply tell them that their parent has to sign them up on their first visit, and we need to see their student ID. Students can’t just be dropped off without an active Y membership.

Click here for our Seventh Grade Membership brochure. And click on this link to read the most recent article about this innovative program.

Remember, your membership is for your entire 7th grade school year, not just on vacation days. So feel free to come in any day — we would love to see you here at the Y!

Weston Support Grows for New Family Y at Mahackeno

Monday, July 30, 2012 by:Family Y
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Bonnie Strittmatter, President of the Family Y Board of Directors, provides an overview of the new Y facility to a group of Westonites.

Weston’s Lindsay Schine recently hosted a group of neighbors and fellow supporters of the Westport Weston Family Y to hear a presentation about the Y’s plans to build a modern new home for the Family Y at its 32-acre Mahackeno Outdoor Center, in the northwest section of Westport. Situated along the Saugatuck River and adjacent to the Merritt Parkway at Route 33, the Mahackeno campus is the longtime home of the Family Y’s summer day camp.

Bonnie Strittmatter, who serves as President of the Y’s volunteer Board of Directors, and Rob Reeves, Family Y CEO, provided an update of the Y’s building project to the group, which included Weston First Selectman Gayle Weinstein and such fellow Westonites as Robin Tauck, a Y Trustee, and Sheila Stolarski, a nationally ranked Masters swimmer who competes with the Family Y team.

Strittmatter unveiled preliminary floor plans of the new facility, which will include a Community Meeting Room named in honor of Lindsay’s parents, Lois and Leonard Schine. The Schine family and a number of their friends, neighbors and fellow community leaders have contributed to the Y’s campaign, as a way to create a lasting legacy for Lois and Leonard’s contributions not only to the Y but our local community.

“Having our new Family Y serve in this way as a tribute to Lois and Leonard’s life-long dedication to community service is especially significant, knowing that Leonard was on the Board of Trustees during our last major construction project, in the 1970s, as well as Lois’ own invaluable service as a Board member and fundraiser,” said Strittmatter.

Writing in the Weston Forum, Patricia Gay added this perspective:

While plans have started to move forward to create a new modern home for the Westport Weston Family Y, Westonites are being encouraged to become part of the team.

If all goes well, phase one of the project will be completed in September 2014 with the opening of a new 54,000-square-foot facility, including a swimming pool, gymnasium and wellness center, at the Y’s 32-acre Mahackeno Outdoor Center in Westport.

Located along the Saugatuck River and adjacent to the Merritt Parkway, the Mahackeno campus is currently the home of the Family Y’s summer day camp.

Weston's Robin Tauck, Westport civic leader Lee Greenberg and Weston First Selectman Gayle Weinstein at the May 2011 kickoff of the Y's Building What Matters capital campaign.

Weston First Selectman Gayle Weinstein is supportive of the Y’s expansion and construction plans. “I think it is an exciting proposal. The Y’s current building is often difficult for disabled people or people with strollers to use. The new Y will be more accessible,” she said.

… “We are optimistic that the recent progress we’ve made with fund raising will continue until we reach our goal of fully funding the first phase of our building project by the time construction starts,” said Mr. Reeves. “Our Y benefits everyone in our community, whether they use the facility or not. And its new location — along with convenient and ample parking — will surely make it more accessible to Westonites. Now is the time for friends and neighbors to come together to help us build something that truly matters, a much-needed new Y that will make our towns a better place to live,” he said.

Reed Ameden, who lives on Old Mill Road in Weston, is a strong supporter and active member of the Y. He met his wife there years ago when he joined the Y’s swim team, and his children learned how to swim at the Y. “I’ve seen physical problems at the current facility. It’s an odd shape and the building doesn’t flow smoothly. The new facility will be more comfortable with more amenities and will have better parking,” he said.

To read the complete article, click here. For more information about the Family Y’s “Building What Matters” capital campaign to fund and construct a new Y at Mahackeno, contact Rob Reeves at rreeves@westporty.org or call 203-226-8981, ext. 131.

Y Masters Swimmers Excel at National Meet

Friday, May 11, 2012 by:Family Y
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Members of the Westport Weston Family Y team that competed at the YMCA National Championships include: Back row: Markley Rizzo, Sheila Stolarski, Pam Moss, Mike Laux, Heather Friel and Tracy Phillips and (front row) Bill Geoghegan, Colleen Brandon, Cathy Milton and Lauren Finnegan.

The Y Masters swimmers who train as a team in the Family Y’s Stauffer Pool are an accomplished, experienced group of athletes who compete — and win — the national level. So we’re thrilled that their recent performances have gained media attention.

In a recent article on The Daily Weston website, reporter Tom Renner wrote:

Sheila Stolarski of Weston and Westport’s Mike Laux won multiple races to lead a strong showing by the Westport Weston Family Y at the YMCA Masters National Championships last month in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Other members on the team included Markley Rizzo, Pam Moss, Heather Friel, Colleen Brandon, Cathy Milton, Tracy Phillips, Lauren Finnegan and Bill Geoghegan.

Stolarski, competing in the women’s  50-54 age group, broke meet records in winning the 50-, 100- and 200-yard backstroke and 100 freestyle. She also won the 100-yard individual medley and 50-yard freestyle.

Laux swam in the 70-74-year-old age group and won the 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 500 and 1,000 freestyle.

Click here to read the complete article. Congrats to all!

The Westport Weston Family Y Masters Swim Team competes regularly in both YMCA and U.S. Masters Competitions. Each member has the opportunity to participate in organized workouts and competitive swim meets. Mike Laux and various Masters members organize ongoing practices, which are held Tue & Thu 8:15-10:00 pm; Sat 11:15 am -12:30 pm. (Family Y Membership is required.)

For more information, contact Nicole Turechek, Director of Aquatics, at 203-226-8981, ext. 128 or nturechek@westporty.org

Members of the Westport Weston Family Y team that competed at the YMCA National Championships include: Back row: Markley Rizzo, Sheila Stolarski, Pam Moss, Mike Laux, Heather Friel and Tracy Phillips and (front row) Bill Geoghegan, Colleen Brandon, Cathy Milton and Lauren Finnegan.

Youth Fun Night at the Y: Saturday, Jan. 14

Wednesday, January 11, 2012 by:Family Y
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"Extreme Karoake" is one of the highlights at Youth Fun Night.

On one Saturday night a month, the Family Y is open just for students in grades 4-7. This clubhouse for tweens and teens only features inflatables in the gym, swimming and diving in the Stauffer Pool, hoops and, of course, our make-your-own sundae station. The cost is $12 prepurchased at the Y or online; $15 at the door. The fun lasts from 7:30 to 9:30 pm.

Youth Fun Nights are open to all kids, not just Y members. For details or to volunteer (children of volunteers get in free), call Nicole Turechek at 203-226-8981 or email her at nturechek@westporty.org.

If your child with Special Needs would enjoy attending Youth Fun Night and needs assistance, please contact Nicole, and she will do her best to match a youth/adult volunteer or staff with your child.

Enjoy these photos from recent Youth Fun Nights at the Y, and we look forward to seeing lots of 4-7 graders this Saturday night!

Top 10 Tips for Parents of Youth Athletes

Wednesday, November 2, 2011 by:Family Y
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Dr. Richard Ginsburg at Bedford Middle School on Oct. 20.

In an effort to help parents negotiate the increasingly complicated and pressurized world of youth sports, an alliance of local school, sports leagues and service organizations hosted a “Community Conversation about Youth Sports” on Oct. 20 at Bedford Middle School featuring a presentation by noted youth sports expert Dr. Richard Ginsburg.

There was a great turnout for the evening, and Dr. Ginsburg delivered a one-hour presentation that was highly informative — and entertaining.

Dr. Ginsburg is the co-author of Whose Game Is It, Anyway?, a guide to helping your child get the most from sports. A portion of his talk was based on information in the book. He’s also a longtime friend of several Westporters, and through those friendships is very familiar with some of the particular concerns of our community’s “sporting parents.” That, along with a pre-talk interview with local blogger and soccer coach Dan Woog, allowed Dr. Ginsburg to talk to the 200-plus local parents and coaches like the soccer dad that he is back home in Boston.

Dr. Ginsburg is also the Co-Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Sport Psychology Program and Performance and Character Excellence in Sports (PACES) Institute and serves as a faculty member of the Harvard Medical School. He played soccer, lacrosse and was a diver at the Gilman School in Baltimore, and continued participating in sports at Kenyon College. He coached at Williston Northhampton, and completed his dissertation on the therapeutic benefits of coach/player relationships.

All of those credentials allowed Dr. Ginsburg to speak authoritatively about youth sports, supporting his views with data and clinical evidence. (More information about his take on youth sports can be found at www.whosegameisitanyway.com.)

Brett Aronow of the Westport PTA Council and her husband, Keith Stein of Westport Little League Baseball.

Family Y CEO Rob Reeves attended the free public discussion and wrote in a note to event co-sponsors, “I was very pleased with the turnout and thought Dr. Ginsburg’s presentation was very well done and hopefully well received. My thanks to the Westport PTA Council and the rest of the supporters, including the Family Y’s Water Rats Parents’ Club and Y board member Lisa Krakoff and her family, for making this event happen.

“As a 32-year employee for the YMCA, early in my career I dedicated my time to running very large and active youth sports programs where winning and more importantly losing was always a critical lesson to be learned.  To know that what was important and considered healthy for children that many years ago remains true today was gratifying to hear.

I know we all agree that our young athletes need to remain well rounded children and Dr. Ginsburg agrees with many that specializing at an early age isn’t always the best way for that to occur. Especially at very young ages, the ability to experience multiple sports experiences will lead most, if not all, athletes to the same end result. I hope the word will spread about what he shared with us.”

Following the talk, Dr. Ginsburg sent along this helpful 10-point takeaway:

Take Home Points for Parents

Whose Game Is It, Anyway?

Co-Author, Richard D. Ginsburg, Ph.D

1)   Use a 5:1 ratio of accurate praise to constructive feedback

2)   Avoid post-game criticisms for first 24 hours

3)   First post-game question is “How was it?” NOT “Did you win or did you score?”

4)   Numbers 2 & 3 are very hard to do.

5)   Kids are NOT mini-adults

6)   Talent develops well into late-teens

7)   Make sure it is your child who most wants to play

8)   Recognize when it is time to step back

9)   Be aware of changing pressures on coaches

10) Fun and joy are best predictors for long-term success & benefits

Visit www.whosegameisitanyway.com for more information, or email Dr. Ginsburg at rginsburg@partners.org.

The Family Y looks forward to working with its community partners to schedule more “Community Conversations” on topics of interest and importance to us all.

Community Conversation about Youth Sports, Oct. 20

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by:Family Y
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In an effort to help parents negotiate the increasingly complicated and pressurized world of youth sports, an alliance of local school, sports leagues and service organizations will host a “Community Conversation about Youth Sports” featuring a presentation by noted youth sports expert Dr. Richard Ginsburg. This speaking engagement and Q&A will take place at 7 pm on Thursday, Oct. 20 at Bedford Middle School auditorium at 88 North Avenue in Westport, CT. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Dr. Richard Ginsburg, noted expert on youth sports.

Dr. Ginsburg is a faculty member at the Harvard Medical School and the co-director of the PACES (Performance and Character Excellence Institute of Sports Psychology) program at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is the co-author of Whose Game Is It, Anyway?, a comprehensive guide that helps parents ensure a positive sports experience for their children.

“Travel teams, early specialization, daily practices and competitive tryouts are dominating our recreational and school sports programs across the country at all levels,” says Dr. Ginsburg. “While there is much attention given to the pressures our sporting culture places on athletes, parents are in need of support to guide their young athletes through these challenging times and endeavors, particularly as athletes move from one developmental stage to the next.”

The Oct. 20 presentation at Bedford Middle School auditorium is co-sponsored by the Westport PTA Council, the Westport Weston Family Y, Fairfield Country Day School, the Water Rats Parents’ Club, Weston Youth Services, Westport Little League Baseball, Westport Police Athletic League, the Westport Public Library and the Lisa and Roger Krakoff family.

“It’s clear there is widespread support from across the community for a positive, constructive and balanced public discussion about today’s sports environment,” says Westport PTA Council Co-President Brett Aronow, speaking for the event organizers. “We hope all parents will be able to benefit from this talk, whether their children are just beginning to engage in recreational-level sports, are entering travel-league competition or are high-school athletes considering whether to continue their participation in college.”

Dr. Ginsburg provides talks and consultations nationally to youth, high school and collegiate athletic programs. He has addressed parent groups at the 92nd St. Y in New York City and this past spring delivered a talk on youth sports in Darien, CT. His one-hour presentation will be followed by a 30-minute open Q&A session covering topics such as:

  • How Much Should I Push My Kids in Sports?
  • Is Specialization a Must These Days?
  • What to Do When “Silent Sidelines” Are Anything But?

This community event is free and does not require an entry ticket. Those interested in attending are asked to register online at http://youthsporttalkoct20.eventbrite.com/ to help the organizers with on-site logistics.

“As a child psychologist and a parent of three active kids, I found Richard Ginsburg’s message compelling and helpful,” says Annie Zimmerli, a clinical child psychologist based in Fairfield. “Given the amount of time and energy our kids are spending on sports, parents today need some guidance on how to make decisions about sports that are in line with individual family values. This is a discussion that every community should be having with our kids, coaches, parents and teammates. Richard Ginsburg helps us to think about our choices and what we want out of sports for our kids. I highly recommend taking the time to listen to what he has to say.”

For further details regarding Dr. Ginsburg, please visit his website, whosegameisitanyway.com. Copies of Whose Game Is It, Anyway? will be available for sale prior to the speaking engagement ($15, cash or check), with a book-signing session to follow the Q&A.

For more information about the “Community Conversation about Youth Sports” on Oct. 20, please contact Brett Aronow, Co-President, Westport PTA Council, at 203-222-7554 or Scott Smith, Family Y Communications Director, at 203-226-8981, ext. 112.

Family Y Welcomes Local 7th Graders

Friday, August 19, 2011 by:Family Y
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Seventh-grader and new Y member Marta Clanton, with her mother, Ester, at the orientation tour.

“Make yourself at home,” was the message delivered to a group of local 7th graders on Thursday evening at our Family Y.

The middle schoolers were taking part in the first orientation session of the 7th Grade Member Initiative, which makes available a free one-year membership to 7th graders at Westport and Weston schools. On hand to take a group of students and their parents on a tour of the facility was Shelley Moll, senior director of Health and Wellness, and Melinda Craig and Patty Cavallaro from Member Services.

For Marta Clanton (shown at right), the free offer’s only stipulation — that students commit to one volunteer activity at the Family Y — is its biggest draw. “I love to swim and exercise, but I’m really into volunteering,” said Marta on Thursday. Among her options will be helping out with the Strong Kids Triathlon on Sept. 18, Fall Family Fiesta on Oct. 16 at our Mahackeno Outdoor Center, our monthly Youth Fun Nights and other activities and events throughout the year.

Marta, who attends Bedford Middle School, added that she’s looking forward to taking one of the Lifeguarding courses regularly offered by the Y. With her Red Cross certification, she’s much in demand as a baby sitter, said her mother, Ester, and getting trained as a Lifeguard will further boost her credentials.

Health & Wellness Director Shelley Moll (right) gives 7th graders and their parents an overview of the Fitness Center.

Launched in June, “the 7th Grade Membership Initiative is based on the knowledge that the preteen years are pivotal in developing lifelong habits,” said David Cohen, the Y’s vice president of operations, in a Westport News article by Kirk Lang.

“Research shows that the seventh grade is a critical time in a young person’s life when exposure to risk factors greatly increases. We believe that this is the perfect time of life to increase independence and expand students’ comfort in being a part of the community.”

The article goes on to quote other students and their interest in taking the Family Y up on its offer:

Jacob Leaf, a Coleytown Middle School student who plays soccer, said his Y membership “is going to help me stay busy.” He’s also looking forward to making new friends there with students from Westport’s two middle schools and Weston Middle School.

“When I have free time I can always go” to the Y, he said.

Spencer Nelson, also a Coleytown student, said his Y membership will help keep him in shape ahead of trying out for the Police Athletic League basketball team. Nelson plans to take advantage of his one-year membership by spending most of his time on the Y’s basketball courts and in the fitness center.

Dorian Kail, Leaf’s mother and a serious runner, said the membership is great in that a child who doesn’t want to be part of a sports team can “still feel healthy and active on their own.”

To read the complete article, please click here.

For more information about the 7th Grade Initiative, visit this page in the Membership section of our website.

Y Swimmers Will Never Surrender in Fight for Good Cause

Friday, August 5, 2011 by:Family Y
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Karen Jones of the Fairfield Patch website has written a wonderful article about our Family Y’s “No Surrender” team participating in Saturday’s 24th Annual SWIM Across the Sound Marathon.  Here’s an excerpt, courtesy of the Patch:

Celebrating at the 2010 SWIM finish line from left, Andy Davis, Maura Marden, current Team Captain Kim Russo and Laina Grillo. Credit Karen Jones

“Strength and courage inspire a local team to participate in this Saturday’s 24th Annual SWIM Across the Sound Marathon.  St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound provides cancer education, screening, and prevention programs for the community.  The team calls themselves “NO Surrender!”, a favorite Bruce Springsteen song of fellow swimmer and former coach, Maura Marden.  These athletes join a field of over 250 swimmers for a 15.5 mile journey across the Long Island Sound from Port Jefferson, NY to Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, CT.  Kim says, “Maura will be with us all the way from Port Jefferson to Bridgeport this Saturday”.

… No Surrender’s impressive athletes also represent the Westport Weston YMCA Masters Swimmers.  Andy Davis, of Fairfield, CT returns this year not only to swim in memory of Maura Marden, but also David Parcells, former SWIM Marathon Director who passed away in 2007.  Andy is joined by Kim Russo, also of Fairfield, who captains the team.  Kim is an 8 year veteran of the event, saying she first joined as a swimmer, now as a supporter of the “cause.”  The rest of the team is comprised of  Laurie Cizek-Brannigan, of Westport, CT, Frances Gray, of Wayne, PA, Laina Grillo, of Norwalk, CT and Sheila Stolarski of Weston, CT.  Laurie says she understands the “toll cancer takes on a family” and Sheila says she “loves and misses Maura”.

Each relay team must raise $7,500, averaging about $1,500 a swimmer. Any donation is appreciated by the team.  Donations can be made at:  http://give.stvincents.org/page.aspx?pid=572&tab=0&frtid=170

To read the complete article, please click here.

At this year’s event, which is open to the public, the fastest swimmers are expected to cross the finish line at approximately 2:30 p.m., depending on the weather.  The majority of the field will jockey for the finish line at about 4:30 p.m. with an awards ceremony to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Captain’s Cove Seaport. Join us in cheering on all the swimmers as they complete their “Across the Sound” journey!

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