The Valparaiso Family YMCA invites families in the community to their first annual Community Fair on Thursday, September 30th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Families of children ages 1 to 12 will have fun together while gaining insight about the Y’s philosophy on teaching and learning. Interactive learning sessions for the entire family will run simultaneously at all three YMCA learning and child care sites. Classrooms will be open and staff will be available to provide tours and answer questions. Families are encouraged to visit all three sites to be entered into a drawing. 
Deeply rooted in the greater Valparaiso community, the Y helps people – including working families - to learn, grow and thrive. Their mission as a member of America’s leading nonprofit is to help children develop the skills and relationships they need to be healthy, confident learners. In three sites across the city, the Valpo Y provides toddler, preschool, and school-age learning and child care services in safe, nurturing environments. All programs focus on guiding youth in their character development and helping them to realize their potential. Positive, fun activities build athletic, social, and interpersonal skills that children take with them into adulthood.
At the Valparaiso Family YMCA facility, families will enjoy an evening of Fit and Fun. An Obstacle Course in the gym will be available at 5:30-6:00 p.m., followed by a family session of Pilates, Yoga, and Stretching at 6:00-7:00 p.m. and Water Fun in the Leisure Pool from 7:00-7:30 p.m. The Y is located at 1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive.
At the Y’s ALLWays Learning Child Development Center, the evening’s theme of Foundations and Fun will include an interactive demonstration of the Y’s philosophy on organized play as a foundation for learning. Donna Battista, a kindergarten teacher in the Valparaiso schools, will illustrate the function of play in the early childhood curriculum, including dramatic play, block play, math manipulatives, sand and water table, science discovery, arts and crafts, computer time, reading, writing and drawing. “Mrs. Battista was instrumental in helping the Y open ALLWays Learning fifteen years ago,” said Shannon Spratley, Senior Program Director of Child Care. “She will be using her expertise to share with parents what they should be looking for in an early childhood program to get their children ready for kindergarten.” Mrs. Battista will be at the Center from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. ALLWays Learning Child Development Center is located in SELF School at 750 Ransom Road/Bullseye Lake Road.
A Food and Fun session will take place at the Y’s ALLWays Learning Preschool, located in Bridgepoint Church (the former Y facility) at 150 N. Washington St. Children with their parents will learn about the Y’s Food and Fun Nutrition Curriculum, which is now incorporated in all learning programs. This curriculum is one way the Y is responding to the national crisis of childhood obesity and related illnesses. At the Community Fair, children and their parents will learn together the benefits of healthy eating by participating in a veggie and dip tasting while making placemats filled with cutouts of healthy foods.
At their first visit, families will receive a passport. At each subsequent visit, they may have their passport signed, which will then be turned in and entered into a drawing for a 6 month membership at the Valparaiso Family YMCA. For more information about the Community Fair, please contact Shannon Spratley at sspratley@valpoymca.com or 462-4453 (46-CHILD). Information about the Valparaiso Family YMCA’s learning and child care services can be found at www.valpoymca.org.