YMCA expanding its offerings
This is an exciting time for the Butler YMCA and for our community as we expand programs for all ages. According to Jamie Knauff, new aquatic and program director, “We are bringing families back to our YMCA community with programs such as preschool and youth sports. The YMCA organization is the national leader in teaching children how to swim. We are fortunate to have a very strong aquatics program right here in our community.”
Knauff is also branching out to offer safety and specialty certifications, such as CPR/first aid/AED training and lifeguard certification both on-site at the Butler YMCA and for outside organizations.
Other offerings for the fall and winter months include an active pickleball community! In addition to multiple “Open Pickleball” times throughout the week, the Butler YMCA is running three Ladder Leagues which are played in our gym courts on six designated pickleball courts.
Other activities include our popular group exercise classes that include yoga, barre, step, high intensity interval training, cycle fitness, an entire schedule for those new to exercise, and Active Older Adults. The variety at the Butler YMCA is unbeatable.
We offer more than 65 group exercise classes per week for all ages and fitness levels. Our aqua group exercise classes are among the most popular at the Butler YMCA. It’s a great low-impact workout that helps people with their strength, balance and range of motion.
In addition to all our exercise options, the Butler YMCA stands alone in its commitment to the community at large. The Butler YMCA offers quality, full-time state-licensed child care within the building for ages 6 months through sixth grade. Our Reach and Rise Youth mentoring program is expanding throughout the county providing both group and one-to-one mentoring programs.
We are the meeting place for the statewide Youth and Government program, AM Rotary meeting, Bible study, Toastmasters and more. We continue to offer community informational talks on a wide variety of subjects, such as financial aid planning for college students, healthy aging and opioid addiction.
We stand by our mission of “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”
Heidi Nicholls Bowser is director of membership and healthy living at the Butler YMCA.
