For information on Lincoln Area YMCA programs and events, visit the downtown office, 604 Broadway St., Suite 1; www.lincolnymca.org; or call 735-3915. The YMCA Activity Center is at 719 Wyatt Ave.

YMCA notes

[April 04, 2009]  Logan County Farm Bureau and Logan County FFA (Mount Pulaski, Hartsburg-Emden and Lincoln high schools) recently presented Ag Education Days, "A Celebration of Agriculture," at the Lincoln Area YMCA. Over 450 local fourth- and fifth-grade students and their teachers attended this March 24 and 25 event, where they experienced a variety of hands-on learning stations and activities related to dairy, hogs, farm machinery, corn and soybeans. The mission of this event, in connection with National Agriculture Week, was to promote education in Logan County agriculture to school-age youth.

YMCA Volleyball Clinic registrations are now being accepted. Children in first through sixth grade will be introduced to the sport of volleyball and will be taught the many skills necessary to play. Y instructor Krista Hoban will work with the kids teach them the fundamentals and improve their volleyball skills. This six-week session is on Tuesday evenings. Register by April 14 to avoid a fee increase.

Lincoln Area YMCA's annual Partner With Youth Strong Kids campaign kicked off during early March. This important campaign supports the financial scholarships that the Lincoln Area YMCA awards to local participants who cannot afford to pay the entire program fee. Participants can apply for financial assistance through the Y office. All applicants are required to complete an application and must meet income guidelines. The 2009 campaign goal is $13,000, and every donation received through this campaign is used locally only.

YMCA Weeball registration has begun. Children ages 4 years old through kindergarten are taught the basic skills necessary to play the game of baseball. This program is on Saturdays, beginning May 23 through June 13, with sessions from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The Y instructor will teach the children how to properly throw, catch, hit and run the bases. Register by May 8 to avoid a fee increase.

Paintball is back and better than ever. This two-hour, no-impact paintball program teaches the basic fundamentals of how paintball markers and paintball games are played. On Saturdays, beginning May 16, your children ages 9-15 can enjoy safe, fun games such as Capture the Flag, Mission: Impossible, 007, plus many more. Register by noon before each Saturday to avoid a fee increase.

May 9 is the date for the third annual Cow Chip Bingo. This is a family-friendly event with lots of games, contests, demonstrations and so much more. We will have hot dogs and chips, a "cow pie" eating contest, local organizations will be on hand, and of course cow chip bingo. Tickets are on sale now for cow bingo and are only $15 each. Get your ticket for a chance to win a $750 cash prize! Look for more information in the coming weeks.

[Text from file received from Lincoln Area YMCA]