YMCA briefs

Duneland Family YMCA

The Duneland Family YMCA is at 215 Roosevelt St., Chesterton. For information, call (219) 926-4204 or visit dunelandymca.org.

Family fitness class

Beginning at 5:15 p.m. March 15, a high-energy family fitness class will be offered every Thursday night. The class aims to provide an opportunity for parents and children ages 7 to 12 years old to participate in a fitness class together at both fitness levels. Activities will include a wide variety of low-impact exercises.

Free-throw contest

This is for any YMCA member or youth basketball participant. The contest is at 1 p.m. March 3. There are three age groups: as old as 9, 10- to 11-year-olds and 12- to 13-year-olds. To enter this contest, stop by the Y to fill out a registration form.

Parents' night out

Parents can go out from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays while YMCA staff watches 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 Thursday to reserve a spot.

Family Fitness Time

This is a time for families to work out together. Parents with children ages 7 to 14 can partake in activities at the Y from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. An orientation with a trainer for parents and children is required prior to using cardio equipment, and children wanting to use the weight room with adult supervision are required to complete the teen weight training program. Orientation with equipment is a free service provided by the Y. To schedule an orientation, call the Y.

Scrip at WiseWay

Patrons can use YMCA scrip at WiseWay, which will donate 10 percent of each grocery purchase back to the YMCA. Scrip certificates are sold in increments of $5, $10, $25 and $50 at the YMCA's front desk.

Indoor soccer

Registration is under way for indoor soccer for ages 3 to 8. The season will run from March 3 through April 14. The cost is $40 for members and $80 for nonmembers. To register or for more information, visit the member service desk.

Teen night

Youngsters and teens in seventh through 12th grades can enjoy a night with their friends at the Duneland Family YMCA from 6 to 10 p.m. every Friday. It is free for members and costs $3 for nonmembers. Dress appropriately. Those not dressed according to the dress code may be refused entry.

Camp days

Duneland schools will be closed Friday and Monday in observance of the Presidents Day holiday. A camp day will be held each day at the Y from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $25 per day, and a sack lunch needs to be packed each day. Call (219) 921-0183.

Zumbatomic

It's not too late to register for a Zumbatomic session, which runs through March 21. Registration is being accepted. Classes are from 4:15 to 5 p.m. March 21. The cost is $25 for members and $50 for nonmembers. To register, visit the member service desk.

Health screenings

A Porter community health nurse will visit from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Y to conduct free screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 27.

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.

2012 Jazz and Blues Fest

The 2012 Jazz and Blues Fest will be Feb. 25 at Strongbow Inn. This campaign raises funds to support the Y's financial assistance and scholarship programs. This event will be from 6:30 p.m. to midnight and will feature the Valparaiso-based Head Honchos Band and the Jeff Brown Trio. This casual-attire event will be filled with music, dancing, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction. A cash bar and raffle also will be available. To learn about donating to the silent auction, becoming a sponsor, buying tickets or contributing to the Changing Lives Campaign, contact Debra Koeppen, chief development officer, at (219) 462-4185, ext.229, or by email at dkoeppen@valpoymca.org.

TRX 2012

TRX Suspension Training uses body weight exercise to develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. The TRX Suspension Trainer is a highly portable performance training tool that leverages gravity and the user's body weight to enable hundreds of exercises for every fitness goal. People of all levels — athletes to seniors — have the ability to get a fast, effective total body workout. Certified personal trainers, who are also TRX-certified, conduct sessions in an individual or small group basis.

Indoor triathlon

An indoor triathlon will be Feb. 26. Compete against others from the Valpo Y and surrounding Y's in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. Register at www.valpoymca.org or the Y courtesy desk. Race participants will complete as many laps as they can swim in 10 minutes, as many miles as they can bike in 15 minutes on a stationary bike, and as many miles as they can complete in 15 minutes on a treadmill. All participants will receive an indoor triathlon T-shirt and, new this year, awards for the top finishers. Must be at least 14 years of age. Volunteers are also needed.

2012 Ringing in Spring

Get ready for the 2012 Ringing in Spring race. A 5K and 10K distance run will be offered. Ringing in Spring is an annual tradition and race that includes T-shirts, awards and free child care. Find out more by visiting www.ringinginspring.com. Registration is open.

Valpo Skates

Valpo Skates, a collaboration between Valparaiso Community Schools and the Y, is open to all children and families and is held at Ben Franklin Middle School. The gym is a separate building at the west end of the school. Skating for kindergarten through sixth grade is from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays. Family Skate for all ages is from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Parents are welcome to stay and skate with their children on either day. Youth and their parents may bring their own skates or use skates at the rink. Enter door No. 8. Valpo Skates is handicapped accessible. The cost is $6.

Portage YMCA

The Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road, offers numerous activities. For more information, call (219) 762-9622.

Preschool Round-Up

The Y's preschool registration begins March 1 for the public. The Y is holding a preschool roundup from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 26. Parents interested in the Y's preschool program can stop by to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers and learn about other toddler programs including preschool summer camp. Children will be able to do activities in each of the classrooms and explore what the Y has to offer. Open registration is available with a $25 nonrefundable registration fee.

Child care and development center

There are openings in the rooms for 2- and 3-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.

Runners, take your mark

Train and make new friends in the Y's new running club. Amateur runners meet in the lobby. Dress for the weather. All one-hour runs will be outside unless there is lightning or the temperature is lower than 15 degrees. Participants will run from three to five miles with calisthenics and stretching. Classes will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and from 6 to 7 a.m. Tuesdays. Must be 14 and older to participate. Register at the welcome center.

Pool parties

The Y is offering pool parties. Pool parties are available Friday nights at the Portage High School West pool. Contact Stephanie Coffman, the Y's aquatics coordinator, for more information at (219) 762-9622 or at aquatics@ymcaofportage.org.

Bowlathon

The Y is planning its 23rd annual bowlathon beginning at noon March 11 at Camelot Bowl in Portage. Pick up registration packets at the Y. The entry fee is $60 per team of five. Prizes will be awarded for the top 10 pledges collectors, as well as a chance to win $500 for every $50 collected. Money raised will be applied to the Y's Youth Scholarship Fund, which helps provide financial assistance to families in need to participate in programs and services at the Y.

Boot camp

Burn off the calories in boot camp. This intense workout mixes traditional calisthenic and body weight exercises with interval training and strength training. This class is designed in a way that pushes participants harder than you would push yourself. Boot camp is from 4:25 to 5:25 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

Health screenings

Join nurse Lorri Field, of the Healthy4Life program at St. Mary Medical Center, who will discuss obesity at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at the hospital. After the demonstration, chef Ryan Smith, of St. Mary Medical Center, will demonstrate the latest healthy cooking techniques. All are welcome.

Ballroom dance party

A ballroom dance party will be held twice a month, from 7 to 9 p.m. Come alone or with a partner. Register at the welcome center for $10 for all participants. There will be a night club show dance and cha-cha March 9 and rumba and merengue March 23.

Lessons

Racquetball lessons are still available for children and adults at the Y. Contact the welcome center for details.

Family movie night

The Y will host a family movie night with "Hop" at 6:30 p.m. March 30.  Everyone is welcome. Limited chairs will be available so pillows and blankets are recommended. The cost is $2 per person, $5 for a family of three and $6 for a family of four or more. This monthly movie night will help raise funds for the Y's aquatics department.

Pee Wee Prom

The Y's Preschool Academy and its Child Care and Development Center (full-time day care) present Pee Wee Prom from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 3. This event is open to the public and is for fathers and their daughters and mothers and their sons. Children ages 6 and younger can attend. Tickets are $15 a couple and $5 for each additional child and, after March 1, $20 a couple and $5 for each additional child. Dancing along with delectable finger foods and beverages will be provided. Dress is semicasual, and pictures will be available for an additional cost.