“In a 10-week period, of an hour each, it’s possible for a child to grasp the fundamentals of basketball, T-ball, flag football, soccer and volleyball.
Being formed now, the summer program will focus on outdoor baseball and basketball. The goal is to teach caring, honesty, respect and responsibility,” Tuss said.
Julia Smith, a junior at Centerville High School, has volunteered as a coach of indoor soccer to 7- and 8-year-olds for the past three years.
“I have really enjoyed the experience, but this summer I have a job so I’ll only be able to be at the Y one evening a week,” Smith said.
Alex Craft, of Kettering, has taken almost all of the sports activities offered by the Y for the past eight years, and decided now that he’s going into high school it’s time to volunteer.
“I started a month ago with baseball and a group of 10-year-olds,” Craft said.
The number of activities provided by the facility range from a room of exercise equipment for use by adults to colorfully painted areas equipped with play units for active toddlers. The gymnasium is large enough to be divided in half, when needed.
Summer Day Camp is on the agenda now with camps for 6- to 9-year-olds to survivor camp for 10 to 12-year-olds, plus a camp for those who prefer to stay close to the Y for their summer fun.
To better know what South Y has to offer children, adults, families and senior adults, named the Silver Sneakers, the door is open for membership and volunteering.
According to Executive Director Randy Paulin, volunteers are vital to the operation of South Y.
“All our coaches are volunteers, many parents of course, except for our aquatic and gymnastic programs,” he said.
Contact this columnist at (937) 433-1552 or adeleauk4737@sbcglobal.net.
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