Family swim nights

The Portage Township YMCA will host its free Family Swim Nights starting on Sept. 5 every Friday evening at Portage High School West Pool from 5 - 8:45 p.m. The YMCA also offers water exercise, progressive swim lessons, lap swims and open swims at the pool. Y membership is not required. (The new sessions for fall progressive swim lessons will be: Session !, Sept. 2-25 and Session II, Oct. 6-29 and Session III, Nov. 4-27. Registration for the next month of swimming lessons opes on the third Monday of the previous month. Bring a lock if you plan to leave items in the locker room. For information, call (219) 762-9622 or ryan@ymcaofportage.org.

Preschool academy

The Portage Township YMCA is accepting registration for the 2008-2009 Preschool Academy program. The nine-month program serves children who are one or two years away from starting kindergarten and four of the eight classes are already at capacity. A non-refundable registration fee of $20 is required.

Junior Academy - The two days a week class meets on Tuesday and Thursday. The

child must be 3 on or before Aug. 1, 2008, in order to attend this class. Monthly fee is $45 for Primary Plus Members and $50 for Primary Members. Pre K Academy meets Monday, Wednesday and ?Friday and the child must be 4 on or before Aug. 1, 20087, in order to attend. Monthly fee is $67.50 for Primary Plus and $75 for Primary. all classes will meet in the newly remodeled and secured Preschool Academy wing of the Portage Township YMCA. There are morning and afternoon classes. Call Lindsey Miller at 9219) 762-9622 for more information.

Fall gymnastics

The Portage Township YMCA offers a comprehensive gymnastics program for all levels. Sessions run monthly and the next session begins in September. Parent & Tot gymnastics and Preschool Scooters meet at the YMCA Beginner and intermediate classes as well as Team - Level 3 and Team - Level 4 and up meet at Willowcreek Middle School. All classes will resume in September. Y membership is required to team classes. Call Janet Grant at (219) 762-YMCA to register.

Computer classes

The Portage Township YMCA will offer computer classes designed to meet the needs of beginners. The class will cover everything from turning the computer on to exploring the Internet, basic word precessing and sending and receiving e-mail. The classes are taught by William Kaufman and meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays. The three month session of classes is payable by the month and the monthly fee is $17.50 for Primary Plus members and $25 for Primary members and $50 for others. Call Janet Grant at (219) 762-9622.

Teeter Totter Tots

The Portage Township YMCA offers a toddler program for one-and-a-half to three- year olds. Children in the class are introduced to a group setting and learn social skills. Stories are read to stimulate cognitive abilities and imagination. Crafts focus on the theme of the story to enforce comprehension and work on fine motor skills. structured play time focuses on gross motor skills, modeling, socialization and imagination. Snacks are provided to introduce children to good nutritional habits which will help to create the foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

The toddler's "significant adult" participates by assisting in the class and will also enjoy opportunities to socialize and share experiences with the other adult class participants. This group is led by Bernadette Burrel, who has a BA in elementary education from Governor's State University and is certified in both regular and special education. Bernadette has 10 years of experience developing and teaching toddler programs and is currently working on her MA in Special Education. There is a minimum of five in the class and a maximum of 12. The class meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays. Cost is $17 for Primary Plus Y members; $24 for Primary members and $48 for others per month. Call (219) 762-9622 for more information.

Active older adults

The Portage Township YMCA offers programs for active older adults:

JOY (Just Older Youth) luncheons - a nutritious lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. on the first Friday of every month. Each month the birthdays of those who have a birthday that month will be celebrated. JOY luncheons provide a time for fellowship, door prizes, entertainment and informative programs. Reservations are necessary by the Friday before the luncheon and cost is $5 for Primary Plus members and $6 for Primary members; first luncheon for those who are not yet Y members is $6. Late registration is an additional $2 and late registrants are asked to wait until 11:45 a.m. to eat so that all preregistered diners have a meal.

Creative colors, art classes

Creative Colors and Creative Art classes provide creative art instruction for all ages at the Portage Township YMCA. The classes are taught by Kelli Hawkings who has her BA in Art with a specialty in illustration. These classes provide the participants the opportunity to explore their creativity and use their imagination while learning to use various art mediums including water colors, colored pencils, oils, pastels and colored ink. The classes will begin in September and the monthly cost is $10.50 for Primary Plus and $15 for Primary members and $30 for others.

Creative colors for ages 3-8 meets from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays.

Creative Colors for ages 9-12 meets 5-6 p.m. Thursdays

Creative Art for Teens and Adults meets 5-6 p.m. Wednesdays

Creative Art for seniors meets 2-3 p.m. Mondays.

call (219) 762-9622.

ABC Arts and Crafts

ABC Arts & Crafts is a once a week class that focuses on one letter of the alphabet at each class. It will encompass letter recognition, letter sound, writing the letter in different mediums and decorating a large letter. The participants will also complete a simple take home craft, focusing on the letter of the day.

The class is for preschool age children and will meet from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursdays. It is taught in a preschool room by preschool teacher Jamie Gore. Class starts on Sept. 4 and the $10.50 for Primary Plus members, $15 for Primary members and $30 for others. Call (219) 762-9622 for information.

Y-Care

Portage Township YMCA Before & After School Care is still accepting registrations for the 2008-2009 Y-Care program. This is for children enrolled at Aylesworth, Central, Crisman, Jones, Kyle, Myers, Nativity, Fegely, Willowcreek or Portage Christian School. Y-Care provides child care for the student before and after the school day. The program provides guided, structured and educational activities in a safe and secure, fun environment with a low child to staff ratio. The students are served a healthy snack each afternoon and physical exercise is encouraged. This year round service is operative during half days of school as well as most weekdays that the school is closed. The cost ot register is $15 and membership is required. Call janice Krebs at (219) 762-9622.