Trending
PARKERSBURG -- With a new program director, new programs are arriving at the Parkersburg YMCA.
Ann Skufca, the new program director, comes to Parkersburg from the Charleston YMCA where she worked with Tara Bailey, the new Parkersburg YMCA director. Among the new programs at the Parkersburg YMCA are a Child Watch program, a cooperative program with the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg and scuba diving.
"We have the Child Watch program which is an after school program and we go to the schools and pick up the children for the after school hours," Skufca said. "We will also have private swimming lessons and we also have started scuba diving classes."
Skufca said the classes, which began Jan. 11, will lead to certification as a scuba diver and the equipment is included in the fee for the program. Program cost is $325 for non-members and $275 for members.
Another program coming up is a cooperative program with the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg, called the MOV Teen Activity Coalition. It will begin from 8 to 10 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Boys and Girls Club at 1200 Mary St.
"They will be there twice a month and they need to check our Facebook page for the dates," she said. "That can be found at Facebook.com/MOV Teen Only."
"There are no fees for this; it's a free program," Skufca said. "It's a project to get area youth on the right track with activities on a Friday night."
Skufca said the event will feature a cafe, three on three basketball, the first area Mannequin Video Challenge and there will be an open games room.
This year will also bring the addition of a youth leadership development program as part of the after school program.
"This is open to all in the after school program," she said. "They will find ways to be better leaders as well as promoting volunteerism and maintaining a positive self image."
Personal training with a twist will be added at the Y, she said.
"We will have personal training for a specific sport, to allow people to get ready for their sport, soccer, basketball or volleyball," Skufca said. "We will continue to offer the usual personal training program."
Children will be introduced to the growing sport of lacrosse through the YMCA.
"We got a donation of equipment," Skufca said. "It's a growing sport and members of the Ohio Valley University men's and women's lacrosse teams will be helping us with the program."
In February the YMCA will have its first Pickleball tournament.
No date has been set but the YMCA plans to have it in February. There are about 30 Pickleball players at the YMCA.
At this time there are no formal teams; the teams are formed on a scramble or pick-up basis.