The Chambersburg YMCA has a Masters swimming training group. The group of adult swimmers trains together in the Huber pool at the YMCA from 6:00 – 7:15 AM Monday, Wednesday and Friday. There are multiple ability levels ranging from new fitness swimmers to former competitive swimmers and tri-athletes.

“It’s a great program for both members and non-members in the Chambersburg community who enjoy swimming laps and training in the pool” said Aquatic Director and Coach, Chris Chance. The program, now in its second year is looking to grow and include new members eager for the physical and social benefits of an adult swim team where competition is optional. “It’s a great program, I’ve become much more fit and built some new relationships at the same time” said former YMCA Charger swimmer turned masters swimmer and Coach Adam Leeper.

Adult swim teams are active in every state and there’s even a YMCA Masters National Championships in Fort Lauderdale every spring. The team sent 2 swimmers Kate Miller and Anthony Addlesberger down to represent the Chambersburg YMCA in Florida during 2008. To learn more about the YMCA and there adult swim team contact Coach Chance at the YMCA.

When the students return to school for the 2009 – 2010 school year, many new member friendly improvements to the swimming pool schedules will occur.  Swimming lessons for preschool and youth will have early evening family friendly class times, while master swimmers will have their own workout times with a dedicated coach.  Lap swimmers will be able to swim right after work from 5:15 to 6 pm, without competing for lane space with other YMCA programs.  The YMCA’s Swim Team will have extended practice time and more individual attention too.  The YMCA’s Aquatic staff hopes everyone enjoys their expanded use of the YMCA’s aquatic facilities.

Armed Services YMCA and Department of Defense partnership gives military families access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs

 As part of the new Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and Department of Defense (DoD) Outreach Initiative, the Chambersburg Memorial YMCA is providing military families with access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs.  Membership fees for these families are underwritten by the DoD and administered through Military OneSource, an information and referral service for military families.

“The Chambersburg Memorial YMCA is happy to help meet the critical needs facing families of deployed military service members,” said Jen Gossert, Director of Family Services, Chambersburg Memorial YMCA.  “Families are the most affected when a loved one gets deployed, so we are deeply committed to providing them with the support they need.”

The ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative responds to a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan to support military family readiness and to ensure that military family readiness programs and activities are available to all deployed National Guard and Reserve families, and some active duty families in certain special categories. 

Military families participating in the initiative are eligible for YMCA memberships based on participation requirements. Those eligible to participate in the new initiative include:

All interested families of joint deployed National Guard and Reserves of all military branches;
Active Duty Independent Duty station personnel and their families; and
Relocated spouses and family members of deployed Active Duty personnel.
 

“The YMCA has a long history of supporting military service members and their families – since the Civil War – so it was natural for us to join this initiative,” said Gossert. “During this time of conflict, it is more important than ever that we continue providing services and support to these families in the absence of a deployed spouse.” These services are beneficial to military families, as evidenced by the responses of members of the program.

 “Having the benefits of the YMCA at the military families’ disposal is a God-send.” said Sasha Coleman Arnett, whose husband Jeremy is currently serving in Iraq. Arnett is caring for their young daughter, London, while her husband is deployed.  “Since we do not have any family even remotely close to Chambersburg, I was a bit concerned as to how I would be able to get some “me time” and also have London get used to different atmospheres and people.  Using the Y’s child care during my workouts has been wonderful. The staff is always so nice, and I never worry about leaving her there.  She enjoys her time with the staff and children, and I enjoy my time to better me as a person, and in turn, as a mom.”

For more information about the ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative, please visit www.asymca.org. or www.ymca.net.

The YMCA’s competitive swim team has been in existence since 1956. Over the years the team has provided a steady diet of structure, exercise and life lessons to hundreds if not thousands of local boys and girls. The sport of swimming is unique in that young athletes compete in an individual sport in a team environment. There are many physical, social and psychological benefits to participating in competitive swimming. At the Chambersburg YMCA swimmers ages 5 – 18 who are already members of the Y can register as  members of the Charger Swim Team. The new season begins on 9/15/08. Please contact Coach Chance at extension 105 for further information.

The Many Benefits of Joining a Competitive Swim Team

Physical Development:

Swimming provides aerobic endurance and is the most beneficial form of cardiovascular exercise. It is the best sport for overall muscular development. It enhances natural flexibility, develops coordination, and it is the most injury free sport for children. It is also the only lifetime sport you can carry into old age.

Mental Development:

Learning proper technique engages the thinking process as new skills are learned. Swimmers must develop and plan movement sequences. They learn that greater progress results from using their creative talents and exploring new ideas. Structured programs of physical activity develop a stronger self-image. The commitment of time required for competitive swimming teaches time management skills. Swim team members learn about self-discipline and sportsmanship. Swimmers learn that excellence can be continually sought. Charger swimmers are taught respect, responsibility, caring and honesty.

Emotional Development:

The nature of the sport dictates that swimming is a self-achievement activity: the responsibility of the performance ultimately lies with the individual in any given lane in a race. That individual, over time, will have many experiences positive and negative, encouraging and discouraging. Learning how to handle the success and failure and self-achieving responsibility develops self-confidence. Through perseverance,
swimmers learn courage, dedication, commitment and how to overcome adversity. Swimmers learn to handle pressure and stress, sometimes self-imposed, sometimes by others. Through experiences in swimming, swimmers learn attitudes and habit that will remain with them throughout their lives. Most swimmers learn to be “can do” people.