Card Club
Session: Ongoing
Location: Augusta
Time: Tuesday, Cribbage, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Thursday, Bridge, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Full Member: FREE
Program Member: May be a guest of a member
Instructor: Denise Levesque and volunteers

Join us in a card game of Cribbage or Bridge!  The KV YMCA has started a Card Club.  The club is free to KV YMCA members and meets in the Augusta KV YMCA Library (if we grow big in size, we will move to the Multi-Purpose Room).  Feel free to bring a bag lunch for 11:30-12:00.  The card playing starts at noon and ends at 1 p.m.  You do not need to know how to play but if you do and you are willing to teach, please join us!  For more info, please contact Denise at 626-3488.

Family Caregiver Support Program
Session: Ongoing
Location: Augusta and Manchester
Time: Unspecified; please see description.
Full Member: NA
Program Member: NA
Instructor: KV YMCA Fitness Staff

For over 4 years now, the KV YMCA has partnered with Spectrum Generations to offer a Caregiver Support Program.  The definition of the caregiver population includes caregivers of any age caring for someone with dimentia, kin caregivers 55 and older caring for relative children 18 and younger, and those over 60 caring for adult disbled children.  The KV YMCA provides  full membership benefits to caregivers in the Kennebec Valley area, through a referral process by Spectrum Generations.  To help encourage participation, Spectrum Generations also provides and coordinates respite care services for those caregivers who meet eligibility requirements. 

Full KV YMCA membership benefits available to program participants allow for unrestricted use of both the Augusta and Manchester campuses and encourage independent exercise in the fitness centers or pools, as well as participation in any of our free group exercise classes offerred weekly between the two facilities.  "Orientations" are made available at the initial referral of new caregiver participants to the KV YMCA, to provide guidance and personalized instruction on safe/effective equipment use and exercise routines that help reduce stress and improve well-being.

The KV YMCA also provides an "exercise guide" or fitness staff person that is available exclusively to caregivers participating in this program, every Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Augusta and every Thursday from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Manchester Campus.  Perhaps equally important to the physical benefits that result from regular participation, is the strong social aspect this program provides.  Caregivers receive special attention, support and guidance from the staff involved, which helps their personal exercise choices more enjoyable and motivational.

KV YMCA staff also organaize annual celebration gatherings for fellowship and food sharing, to give caregivers something to look forward to, opportunities for fun and relaxation, and a short break from difficult duties.

For more information on how to get involved in this program, contact Becca Reynolds at Spectrum Generations at rreynolds@spectrumgenerations.org.

Healthy Lifestyles Support Group
Session: Starting May 5; Ongoing
Location: Augusta KV YMCA Library
Time: Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00p.m.

Please note: this program is taking a recess for the month of April; meeting will resume again starting May 5, 2010.



Full Member: $10/year full members; $15/year program members
Program Member: $20/year
Instructor: Pam Patten

Do you need help with lifestyle behavior change?  Would you like an opportunity to get together with like-minded folks, on a weekly basis, with the benefit of the facilitation of a motivated Y fitness staff person?  Participants "weigh in," then share and discuss articles on healthy habits and nutrition.  Other activities will include 3-month incentive drawings for free KV YMCA programs, guest speakers, a buddy-system call program, theme nights and fun local field trips to restaurants and grocery stores.  To participate on a regular basis, there is an annual enrollment fee of $10 for full members and $20 for program members (renewable in November of 2010; sorry no proration).  Members may also use their 5 free guest passes/year to invite non-members.  Please see the Membership Services Desk to enroll or bring a guest for the evening.  You may also contact Pam Patten at 626-3488 or pam@kvymca.org for more info. 

Interest List for Open Water Swim
Session: Spring II/Summer
Location: Augusta
Time: TBD
Full Member: NA
Program Member: NA
Instructor: Chad Lewis (volunteer)

Often the part of training for and competing in a triathlon that evokes the most anxiety for athletes on race day is the open water swim.  An opportunity has presented itself where residents in Augusta and the surrounding area will be able to use a local recreation facility fo open water swim practice in 2010.  If interested, plans will be made to make this happen for late spring/summer.  If interested, please contact chad.lewis@maine.gov.

KARATE
Session: Ongoing
Location: Augusta Studio
Time: Please visit the following link for more information: http://www.pushardskarate.com/ScheduleAugusta.php
Full Member: Call for monthly fees
Program Member: Call for monthly fees
Instructor: Sensei Matt Noyes

Maine Isshinryu Karate Academies (M.I.K.A.) is proud to announce the opening of its newest dojo at the Kennebec Valley YMCA.

Classes began January 4, 2010 under the direction of Shihan Rob Pushard and Sensei Matt Noyes.

At M.I.K.A., our philosophy is simple, to better our Mind, Body, and Spirit through Martial Arts Training. We teach life skills to our students that will help them succeed in anything they pursue in life.

Classes will be available for all ages...Tiny Tigers (3&4), Little Dragons (4-6), Karate Kids (7-12) and Teen/Adults (12 and older).

Visit maineisshinryu.com or call 622-7373 to learn more about these great programs.

Strength to Survive
Session: Next session: TBD
Location: Multi-Purpose Room
Time: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Full Member: NA
Program Member: $50 for participant; $25 for companion pass
Instructor: Denise Levesque

The Kennebec Valley YMCA and MaineGeneral's Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care have partnered to offer a 12-week small-group exercise program for adult cancer survivors.  This program is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at the Augusta facility.  The next session will begin in January 2010. The fee is $50 and includes full use of the KV YMCA on class days during the program.  A companion pass is available for $25.  The class size is limited to 10 participants.  For more information or to register for this program, please call Donna Walsh(donna.walsh@mainegeneral.org) at the MaineGeneral Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care at 626-4857.

Pre- and Post-Natal Fitness
Session: TBD
Location: Family Fun Pool and/or Multi-Purpose Room
Time: TBD
Full Member: TBD
Program Member: TBD
Instructor: Nikki Ramage

If interested in participating in future pre- and/or post-natal fitness programs, contact nikki@kvymca.org.