These last two weeks I have spent some extra time with the gymnastics classes helping to prepare for the Team performance. I also spend a good portion of time preparing binders and filing paperwork for baseball registration. 

I have really enjoyed my time with the gymnastics classes, much more than I originally thought I would. Every Monday I spend ten hours at my full time job and then, very tired head over to the YMCA
to spend the evening with the gymnastics classes. I am always reenergized by the children and truly enjoy spending time with them. It makes the day not seem so long and I always feel rewarded by the fact
that I can impact their lives. This experience has changed my perspective on working with children and I have even accepted a part-time position with the YMCA after my internship to continue working in the gymnastics program!  I should be a lot of fun, as I enjoy working with Christine (the main instructor) and the kids so much!

These two weeks the work load has been fairly light. The Sports Department will be preparing for baseball season in the coming weeks. I was able to participate in a Recreation meeting held at Mingo Park, the community’s main park & recreation facility. Mingo Park houses an outdoor pool, a main building with gymnasium, baseball fields, a skate park, a few shelters, and a mile-long paved walking path. The reason the staff meeting was held at Mingo, was to discuss the upcoming opportunities and scheduling for summer programming. The aquatics staff was there to talk about what their plans are for the pool scheduling as well. 

Since the city and YMCA merged it has been a challenge to get many of the recreation programs to be successful. While much of the YMCA programming has been popular, the recreation programs run out of  Mingo have not had good numbers and attendance at the pool has been falling. The meeting served as a brain-storming session, so to speak, to find creative ways to drive the recreation programming. There was much discussion about how to get the numbers up for pool passes and some activities/programming that could be added to boost these numbers. Some of things suggested were: adding music to the pool deck, purchasing additional lounge chairs and umbrellas, theme nights for teens or adults, and different entry times for school groups, members and day passes. The conversation also included safety information for lifeguard recertification, wristbands for school groups, and CPR training schedule for staff.

An important addition to this year’s schedule at Mingo will be the YMCA Summer camp that will be based out of Mingo.   Much of the discussion focused around the logistics of staffing, parking, and programming for the children.  

It will be challenging for the staff to continue to highlight the programming offered out of Mingo and revitalize this location for the community. I think there were a ton of great ideas thrown out
in the meeting, the key will be execution from the staff.