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Just For Kids Blog
by Molly Thornburgh
“Children are to be seen and not heard.” How many of us have grown up hearing this age-old adage? Unfortunately this view is expressed all too often among adults. Youth that come to adults in trusted positions are frequently brushed aside when what they have to say are legitimate fears and concerns. April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, and we often forget about one of the most common forms of child abuse: peer...
by Michael Farris
2012 Y Achievers Southeastern College Tour
March 11-17, 2012
Y Achievers Southeastern College Tour began just like a first day of college. Students and families said their goodbyes as families double checked their students’ luggage, reminded students of all the things they had taught them, and hugged them with well wishes for a successful and safe journey ahead of them. 48 students from over 15 Kansas City metro area high...
by Michael Farris
Y Achievers and Adult Achievers are once again taking to the road to visit colleges and universities in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for Spring Break! Planning for this year's tour began during the Fall with a College Tour Planning Committee consisting of our Y Achievers deciding on locations, activities, and cost. The committee chose to visit LeMoyne-Owen College, Jackson State...
by Paula Oxler
Second-graders from Franklin Smith Elementary, James Walker Elementary and Thomas Ultican Elementary are learning essential life skills with free swim lessons at the Blue Springs Family YMCA. The purpose of the program is to teach children how to swim and to equip them with life-saving skills, all in an effort to help prevent drowning.
As part of a partnership between the Blue Springs School District and the Blue Springs Family...
by Paula Oxler
We're proud of our Blue Wave swim team. They continued their thrilling season by winning their third trophy in three weeks this season on February 12, 2012 at the Mid-America League (MAL) East City Championship. The team took third place out of eight teams and received the Most Improved Team trophy at the tournament.
The Blue Wave also won the Most Improved Team trophy on January 29 at the NLU Last Chance Meet and took second place...
by Molly Thornburgh
If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. ~ Abigail Van Buren
I was preparing snack for my after school program the other day with an associate, and as we set out bowls of lettuce and salsa for our taco bar, she began putting tacos together. I asked her why she was making these tacos, and she responded that they were for the kindergarteners because, “they were too...
by Paula Oxler
Today’s children are suffering, and the statistics are alarming: one in three American children are overweight or obese, and one in three Americans born in the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes some time in their lifetime—with black, Hispanic and Native American children facing the greatest risk. This epidemic is not new news, but the situation is serious and the Y believes we must do more.
On November 30, 2011, the YMCA of the...
by Paula Oxler
Local after school Y Clubs were among the one million Americans across the country celebrating Lights on Afterschool Day October 20, 2011. The event recognized after school programs that keep our kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families.
Children in Y Club and their families celebrated with a special pool party at the Olathe Family YMCA. Pumpkins of all sizes floated in the pool at the Olathe Family YMCA. Children and their...
by David Byrd
As a kid, it's a huge reward to be recognized for good behavior and receive special treatment. What started as a one-day event, "Survive with Branden Albert Day," hosted by Branden Albert, offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, has developed into something much more. Branden and his friend, former Chiefs player Kolby Smith, were so impressed with the teens and our Y that they wanted to do more.
They have arranged for three...
by Nick Bromberg
As more and more sports at even the grade school level become seemingly year-round, sport specialization has become much more prevelant.
But just because your child is one of the best baseball players on his team now doesn't mean that baseball is his best sport.
From renowned youth trainer Brian Grasso:
"In my experience, the athletes with the most diverse athletic history are often better equipped to learn and develop skills at the...