YMCA gearing up for spring

Dillon Webb, a summer camp counselor at the YMCA, meets with Mya Ham, a summer swim team member, and Khristia Webb, camp director and coach of the swim team about the Healthy Kids Day Splash and Dash.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_IMG_2323.jpgDillon Webb, a summer camp counselor at the YMCA, meets with Mya Ham, a summer swim team member, and Khristia Webb, camp director and coach of the swim team about the Healthy Kids Day Splash and Dash. Kaneesha Penny | For The Newberry Observer

Members of the Newberry YMCA all-star basketball team for ages 12 and under are on the bottom row. Middle row are, from the left, Journi Gibson, Avari Suber, Emily Allen, KatieBelle Barbour and Tori Livingston. Back row are, from the left, Coach Brittany Marshall, Nadia Bookman, Kaitlyn Brown and Katie Smith.

https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_IMG_2356.jpgMembers of the Newberry YMCA all-star basketball team for ages 12 and under are on the bottom row. Middle row are, from the left, Journi Gibson, Avari Suber, Emily Allen, KatieBelle Barbour and Tori Livingston. Back row are, from the left, Coach Brittany Marshall, Nadia Bookman, Kaitlyn Brown and Katie Smith. Kaneesha Penny | For The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY — The Newberry YMCA has programs open to children and adults in the community coming in the spring and summer, including T-Ball, baseball clinics and a soccer academy.

T-Ball is for ages 4 through 6 while Coaches Pitch is for youth ages 6 to 8. Both will be held at the Prosperity Town Center. The cost is $45 per child.

A soccer academy will be held from March 15 through April 14 for ages 4 through 14. Practice will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $50. It will be held at the YMCA and Newberry College.

Staff member Craig Webb and Brad Bomar, a YMCA member, are starting a men’s basketball league for the members at YMCA. Players must be 40 or older. “We are just trying to start it up to see if people are interested in joining,” Bomar said.

The Healthy Kids Day Splash and Dash will be held April 30 as the big kick off for summer camp which starts June 6.

The swim and run splash and dash will start at 8 a.m. then from 9 a.m. to noon different people in the community will demonstrate the importance of health and well-being to those attending the Healthy Kids Day.

Program coordinator Khristia Webb said local dentists, Newberry Police Department and others will participate. First Community Bank will show how to create checking accounts and eye exams and hearing tests will be given.

The YMCA’s swim team — the Newberry Eels — will start April 4 and end July 24. Ages 4 to 21 may sign up. The swim team coach is Khristia Webb.

“This year we are looking to win the Swim Competition Carolina Y Swim League. We have won the CYSL summer championship 12 years in a row,” she said.

The championship will be held July 23 and July 24. The location will be announced.

Newberry YMCA is also having a 2016 summer swim lessons program called SAW (Safety Around Water) to teach children how to save themselves if they fall into a pool.

Swimming lessons begin June 6 and end Aug. 12 for water babies and toddlers up to age 3 while Beginner Level 1 sessions and Advanced Level 2-4 sessions also will be held.

The YMCA also has a scholarship program that offers financial assistance to people who need it.

“The only way we can offer that money is from donations from people of the community,” Webb said. “We raise money to support all of the above programs. We go out and ask community members and businesses to donate money to the Y. The money is going to help the youth in the community and offer people a reduced rate with scholarship money.”

The goal this year is $50,000. Donations will be accepted at the YMCA’s front desk.

Contact Khristia Webb or Eric Nelson at 803-276-9936 for more information about the programs being offered or for more information about the YMCA.