Chris Kost, Hudson YMCA Director and Hudson Daybreak Rotarian, provided our club with an update on the Hudson YMCA. Under Chris's leadership, the Hudson Y has become more than just a "Gym and Swim," and is an active supporter of many organizations around the St Croix Valley. Chris updated us on what the Y does outside its own four walls and covered some new initiatives the Hudson Y is working on in 2019.
The YMCA in Hudson offers personal training, swim lessons, group exercise classes and other great fitness and community building programs. Gym membership includes access to amenities like a skatepark, fitness center, indoor track, gym, aquatics (including a steam room, waterslide, indoor pool and whirlpool) and much more. The Y has added a shuttle bus for transportation and keeps increasing its involvement in the community.
The Y's movement revolves around youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y:
- Enables kids to realize their full potential.
- Offers ways for families to have fun together.
- Welcomes and embraces newcomers.
- Helps foster a nationwide service ethic.
Kids can learn teamwork and build skills through sports programs, as well as enjoy after school and summer programs. With the help of the Rotary, the first teen center opened its doors this past summer. It's a place for youth to hang out and mingle in an off-street setting.Kids can learn teamwork and build skills through sports programs, as well as enjoy after school and summer programs. The center is open during the school year: Monday through Friday, 3:15-6pm and Saturday 12-6pm and during the summer (beginning May 29th): Monday through Saturday 12-7pm, Closed Sunday.
By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving health and well-being, and supporting and serving its neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure. The Y fosters youth leadership for teens in middle and high school and is designed to help young people be healthy and active, build leadership skills and prepare for the future.
Mental Health First Aid
The Y has been active in promoting the Mental Health First Aid program in the area. Anyone, anywhere can be the one to make a difference in the life of someone with a mental health or substance use challenge – if they know what to do and what to say. Mental Health First Aid teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in your community. The Y has sponsored classes on Mental Health First Aid and most recently sponsored the film, "Suicide, the Ripple Effect" in community screenings.
For more information on signing up for a class, contact: Chris.Kost@ymcamn.org or Alyson.Sauter@ymcamn.org
Fun for the whole family
With so many programs and classes, working out has never been more fun. With onsite child care, even the little ones can get in on the fun.
From birthday parties to homeschool phy ed opportunites, the Y is a place for healthy fun in our community.