Portage YMCA
The Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road, offers numerous activities. For more information, call (219) 762-9622.
Child care, development center
There are openings in the child care rooms for 2- through 5-year-olds. Three-year-olds must be fully potty trained and independent in the bathroom. Ask for a tour by calling Sarah Senort at (219) 792-9622.
Swim lessons
Qualified instructors meet kids at their own level, help families set achievable goals and celebrate successes. Registration for swim lessons this month has begun.
Gymnastics
As part of the Y’s focus on youth development the Y offers gymnastic for young children through its Sparklers gymnastics team. Stop in for details or go to www.ymcaofportage.org.
Before- and after-school care
The Y offers Y-Care, before- and after- school care for children in grades one through eight enrolled in one of the six Portage Township elementary schools that are in Portage. The program provides guided, structured and educational activities in a safe and secure, fun environment with low child-to-staff ratio. Children can be dropped off before school as early as 6:30 a.m. and picked up after school as late as 6 p.m. Y-Care is held at Aylesworth (serving Aylesworth, Willowcreek, Central, Myers and Fegely) and Jones (serving Jones, Crisman and Kyle). Program fees vary according to hours of use. Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure every child and teen has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y. The Portage Township YMCA also accepts CCDF vouchers.
Youth basketball
Youth basketball will be offered from Monday through Dec. 7 for ages 3 to 7. Ages 8 to 13 play from Monday to Dec. 15.
Walk this Way
The YMCA, in conjunction with Portage, is offering a walking club. This club will walk from 10 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday through Christmas. This community club does not require a membership in the YMCA. Interested walkers/runners can meet in the YMCA lobby at 9:45 am. The Rails to Trails will be used for this program and led by YMCA Executive Director Dave Kasarda. During inclement weather, the YMCA track will be used. Membership not needed.
Open swim
The Y will be offering free swim to families on the first Friday of every month at the Portage High School West pool from 6 to 8:45 p.m. for free. Children must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older and must stay with the child/children. Safety equipment is limited. Lifeguards will be on duty.
Open volleyball
The Y is offering free open volleyball for those 14 and older. Volleyball will be in the gymnasium from 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday. Participants must have a picture ID.
Kids Fit and Fun
For ages 3 to 8, participants will take part in a high energy mix of sports and fitness activities to get them moving for the first half of the class. The second half of the class will be hands on activities including crafts, cooking, games and songs. This class meets 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays.
Stay and Play
For ages 18 months to 3-years-old, children will make crafts, play games and listen to stories. Class meets 10:15 to 11 a.m. Mondays.
Duneland Family YMCA
The Duneland Family YMCA is at 215 Roosevelt St., Chesterton. For information, call (219) 926-4204 or visit dunelandymca.org.
Parents' night out
Parents can go out from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays while YMCA staff watch the kids. The cost is $10 for members for one child and $5 for additional children — or for nonmembers, $20 for one child and $10 for each additional. Call no later than today to reserve a spot.
Youth basketball sign-up
Registration for the Youth Basketball season has begun. The regular season will be Saturday to Dec. 15 for children ages 3 to 12. The cost is $40 for members and $80 for nonmembers. Register at the member service desk.
Teen Night
Teen Night will resume 6 to 10 p.m. Friday. Teens in grades 6 to 12 are welcome to spend their Friday night at the Y with their friends. Music, food, pool and the gym will be available. The cost is $3 for nonmembers and free for members.
Dancing Like the Stars
The Duneland Y will be hosting Dancing Like the Stars on Nov. 10 at Duneland Falls. The event will feature local celebrities as contestants. All proceeds will go to the Financial Assistance Program. Ticket prices start at $40
High Intensity Interval Training
HIIT will teach how to burn fat while you rest at 6:30 p.m. every Monday with Nick in the Fitness Room.
Holiday fundraiser
The holiday season is quickly approaching. Beginning October 19th until November 5th country gourmet treats will be available for order: homemade pies, sweet rolls, and cheesecakes. Birky Family Farms is located in Kouts and specializes in country gourmet products of the highest quality. All of the products offered through this fundraiser are straight out of Grandma Birky's kitchen or raised on the Birky Farm. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to Youth Sports Programs. Order forms are available at the Member Service Desk.
Valparaiso Family YMCA
The Valparaiso Family YMCA, 1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, offers numerous activities. For more information, call (219) 462-4185, ext. 249, or visit www.valpoymca.org.
Fit For Life
Free for members, this program is for parents and middle school-age kids to work out in the Wellness Center. The program focuses on fit family time, wellness habits and healthy lifestyle choices. Hours are 7 to 8 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 7 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Saturdays; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Sundays.
TRX suspension trainer
Work with a certified trainer, build strength, improve mobility and prevent injuries.
Can-Do Kids
Classes are from 4:55 to 5:25 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. This class is for 3- to 11-year-olds and provides activities for children with special needs. The cost is $20 for both members and residents.
Porpoise program
This program will focus on competitive swimming skill development. Classes meet from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and are for ages 6 to 14. The cost is $63 for members, $189 for nonmembers. Saturday classes are 9:20 to 10:05 a.m. The cost is $33 for members, $99 for residents.
Yogafit
Fitness yoga class meets from 10 to 10:50 a.m. Mondays in Studio C.
Pilates mat-work
Core strengthening exercises with a focus on flexibility and posture class meets from 8:05 to 8:50 a.m. Monday through Friday; 6:30 to 7:20 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays. All classes are in Studio C.
High-intensity interval training
Reach for new heights with high intensity interval training. This is for fat burning and metabolism boosting. This training meets from 5:10 to 6 p.m. Thursdays in Studio AB.
Pilates personal training
The Pilates Reformer equipment improves strength, muscle tone, coordination and flexibility. These exercises can be customized to benefit every fitness level and body type. For further information, or for a free 30-minute consultation, call (219) 462-4185, ext. 249.
Hydro water fitness
Challenging movements will work the cardiovascular system in the water. This class is for those who have exercised and are looking for a high-intensity class to increase performance, lose fat and improve overall fitness level. Classes meet from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
Save the date
The 50, Fit & Fabulous Holiday Style show begins at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at Old Town Banquet Center. There will be cocktails and hors d'oeuvres with a fashion show at 8. The event will feature fashions from Bangles, Beyond Pink, Ivy, Extra Mile Fitness, Fashion Affair, Here Comes the Dress and Seasons on the Square! Proceeds benefit the Livestrong at the YMCA program and the Changing Lives annual campaign. Tickets are $50 per person.















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