[September 20, 2008]  Gather the family for an afternoon of Home School P.E. Classes begin Thursday for home-schooled children, ages 5 years and up, who would enjoy time to socialize and play all kinds of exciting games. Participants will meet in two age groups for calisthenics, relays, character development and fun gym games. Register your children today for this fun learning experience.

Join the YMCA for a morning of fun and fitness Sept. 27 at the third annual Y Run. The Lincoln Area YMCA, in conjunction with 17 other Illinois Y's, is observing the Illinois State Alliance of YMCA's State-Wide Walk, with various running and walking events planned around Illinois that day. The local Y will have both a 5K run and one-mile fun run-walk for all in the community who would like to participate. Awards will be given to the top male and female in each age category as well as the top male and female finishers. Y Run shirts will also be provided to the first 50 registrants. Proceeds will go toward the Lincoln Area YMCA's scholarship fund, which helps local families who could not otherwise afford YMCA programming. So come out next Saturday for a great cause and a good time.

An Oct. 6 registration deadline is just around the corner. Don't forget to sign up your child for YMCA Biddy Basketball. This program is designed to teach 4-year-old and kindergarten children the skills necessary to play basketball, while having a great time. Registrations received after Oct. 6 will incur a $10 fee increase. Teams will practice once a week, with games played on Saturday mornings.

Ladies, keep the cold weather blues away with our Hip Hop Dance, 5:30-6:15 p.m. on Tuesdays, and Turbo Jam Exercise Fun, 5:30-6:15 p.m. on Thursdays, at the Y Activity Center, 719 Wyatt Ave. Classes run in four-week sessions beginning in September. Y member and nonmember rates are offered for each of these programs, as well as a discount for registering for both programs. Call the Y office for more information.

A School's Out Fun Day for kindergarten through sixth-grade children is planned for Oct. 13, from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Y Activity Center. Fun and activities will be themed around the fall season. Call the Y office for fee information.

No school! How do I keep the kids busy? Easy, bring them to the Y Special Art Day on Oct. 13 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Join instructor Lisa Madigan as she teaches origami to children in first-sixth grade. This class provides hands-on experience folding paper into several objects. Registration deadline is Oct. 6.

Registrations are being accepted through Oct. 22 for the YMCA Youth Volleyball program. Forms received after Oct. 22 will require a $10 fee increase. This program is for children in first-sixth grade who are interested in improving upon their volleyball skills. This instructional program will run on Tuesdays, Oct. 28-Dec. 2. Register your child today to join Krista Hoban, Y volleyball instructor, as she gets your kid started down the path to volleyball fun and success.

Gym rentals are being scheduled now through December for children's birthday parties, family gatherings, holiday and social events. Call the Y office for more details.

For more information on Lincoln Area YMCA programs and events, contact the downtown office, located at 604 Broadway St., Suite 1; visit www.lincolnymca.org; or call 735-3915.

[Text from file received from Lincoln Area YMCA]