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IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
OCTOBER:
1 Saturday Night Live
3 Start of Racquetball League
4 Start of Beginner Karate
8 Saturday Night Live
10 Start of Kids News Club
11 Start of Animation
11 & 13 Super Sports Coaches Training
12 Start of Kids Animation Club
14 Parent’s Night Out
22 Start of Fall Youth Basketball Leagues,Saturday Night Live
24 Start of Swim Lessons, Y Fit Kids,Adult Computer Classes
25 Start of Tumble, Roll & Splash, Youth Strength Training
30 Start of Women’s Indoor Soccer League
31 Halloween Spooktacular

NOVEMBER:
1 Start of Climbing Wall classes, Karate
5 Start of Rookie Basketball, Saturday Night Live
7 Start of Jazz/Hip Hop, Kidnastics
11 Comic Book Making, School Closure Camp, Parent’s Night Out
12 Saturday Night Live
19 Saturday Night Live
21-23 Thanksgiving break day camp
21-25 NO YOUTH SPORTS, RECREATION OR SWIM LESSONS
24 Burn the Bird

The Walla Walla YMCA is devoted to its members of all ages. The Y is proud to announce that Kids’ Korner, for ages 6 weeks to 6 years of
age, has undergone a full remodel and doubled its size to over 1,200 square feet. There have not been any major improvements to this
area in more than 15 years.  The new area includes flooring that looks like maple but provides a level of safety, comfort and cleanliness
that other floors do not. Fresh paint, TV and a large window complete the downstairs area. 

There is a new staircase for easy access to the upper playroom which has pull out drawers for fast clean up. The upstairs area provides more
space for the kids to play.  It will also serve as a multi purpose room for not only babysitting but also small group exercise classes.  What
was once three small rooms and a bathroom is now one large room and a bathroom. The area is not the only thing that is getting a facelift.
The Kids’ Korner will have more programmed activities that will support youth development, social responsibility and healthy living.  The Y
wants parents to know their kids are in a safe, active, learning environment.

New hours have also been a change to the Kids' Korner. View the new hours here.

Let’s set up a scene here: an average-sized young woman enters the third gym of the Y one fine afternoon, feeling
somewhat unconfident of what she is about to experience in the new cardio kickboxing class. Will she be able to keep up
with the rest of the participants? Does she actually have to kick anyone or anything? She’s definitely never done this sort   
of a class before.
One hour later, this same woman strides confidently from the gym, glowing from head to toe with unexplainable radiance and  
pride. She has just spent the best hour of her life training to become the next Chuck Norris equivalent; perhaps a world-
class superhero; or, at the very least, someone with a very swift ability to kick your butt should you give her reason.
This woman is me. This woman could be you. In fact, man or woman, this new class offered at the Y holds the opportunity  
for greatness in all aspects of one’s physical being.

Instructor Leslie Snyder led our class that day with a contagious sort of enthusiasm. And, thanks to her motivating
guidance, we punched and kicked the living daylights out of our imaginary opponents. The self-defense attitude in this
class made it easy to connect our workout with real-life situations, thereby encouraging us to really take note of our form
and the intensity of our jabs.
“HUAH!” Our war cry echoed through the room as we kicked into the air. I admit, it did feel a little silly at first to yell, but
after a while, I got into it. Our movements were actually accomplishing something. There was nothing more invigorating.
After a while of practicing our moves with the guiding mirror staring back at us, it was time to put our new knowledge to   
the test by partnering up.
I ended up face to face with Barbara Roloff, a Walla Walla YMCA member for 11 years with a very cheerful smile yet a
very powerful punch.  After we were all settled, Leslie had one of us partners throw the punches while the other would
dodge and block. We all moved to the beat of the music, first slow then fast before switching up who would block and
who would punch.
If this part makes you nervous, don’t worry, no contact was actually made between the partners. However, this technique
did help us practice the movements of what it would be like should we ever find ourselves face to face with a fighting
opponent.
“It’s a good way to get all your aggression out,” Barbara said of the class. As someone who works out often, she mentioned
that cardio kickboxing was also a great cross-training opportunity; different from anything else she normally does.
By the end of the hour, after some abdominal exercises on mats, I was completely pumped and ready to take on the world.
Now I am definitely planning to go back to get my kicks higher, my abs more defined, and my punches even stronger.
Check out the Y’s group fitness schedule, grab your friends and come learn some important self-defense techniques in this
powerful cardio kickboxing class. Guaranteed, your body will feel empowered like never before.
-Leah Robinson’s Focus on Fitness at the Y

Back in the mid nineties there were many needs in the valley especially for pre-teens. The Y recognized the needs of this
underserved age group and developed what has come to be known as SNL. 15 years later SNL is still going strong and draws
over 100 middle-schoolers each Saturday night.
What is SNL? The Mission of this program is to provide a place for any middle school aged kid to hang out with their friends
in a safe and fun place. Kids do not need to be Y members to attend.

From 7-9 PM each Saturday night they can participate in a variety of activities led by Y staff such as racquetball, basketball,
swimming, indoor soccer, rock climbing and Wii games. As well as jazz/Hip-Hop dance classes, movies and the occasional
dance. SNL is supervised by Y staff that are committed to providing the best experience for the kids while giving them a safe
place to hang out.
As we search to find the answers to the rising problems that our community and others face, the Y will continue looking to
implement the best possible programs to provide a healthy and safe environment for our kids.  SNL is only one small part
of what the Y is doing to help develop our community’s youth and is active in supporting kids and their families.

	GIVING BACK. That is exactly what Volunteer of the Month, Justin Rittenhouse has displayed. After being a participant in the YMCA’s Summer Day Camp program for seven years, Justin continued his involvement in the program by volunteering his time to help with the campers. But he didn’t stop there. Justin liked being around the awesome kids and staff so much that he currently volunteers with our after school program. When asked why he volunteers at the Y, Justin says he does so because it makes him feel better knowing that he is giving back to the Y. His supervisor, Kasey H. says that Justin does a wonderful job working with the kids   and that he is always willing to help out with a smile and a great attitude. When he is not busy being a student at Wa-Hi or volunteering at the Y, Justin enjoys playing soccer, strumming the guitar and hanging out with friends. Thank you, Justin, for giving of your time and talents to the Y. Become a Volunteer.
	READY TO LEND A HAND. This can sum up the actions of our Member of the Month, Kent Kavanaugh. Kent appreciates the help that he’s received so much that he constantly helps new members who attend fitness classes.  He shows new members where the weights and equipment is and helps them set it up.   He encourages them to be consistent in their workouts and helps keep a positive environment in the classes.   The fitness instructors have a lot of kind comments about Kent.  One of our fitness instructor said, “His upbeat, encouraging attitude helps lift the entire mood of the class.” Kent was born and raised in Walla Walla and has been a member of the YMCA for 18 years.  He said, “The Y has     changed my life.  I lost 40 pounds by coming here to work out. The fitness instructors have been very encouraging.”  He goes regularly to Step Aerobics, Zumba, Power Pump, and Yoga as well as working out in the weight room. Kent has endured a lot of personal hardships and says, “My faith and the Y are what keep me going.” Thank you, Kent, for embodying what the YMCA stands for: Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility. Become a Member.
	A WELCOMING SMILE. That is what you’ll get when greeted by the Employee of the Month, Kelsey Krebbs.    Kelsey is an intricate part in the machine that is the Y.  She has her hand in many areas, working in membership and at the front desk. After graduating Walla Walla High School she attended the WWCC nursing program.  While attending school    Kelsey decided to seek a job to soak up some of her free time. She really enjoyed the people and staff at the Y so she sought employment. When Kelsey is not working at the Y she enjoys working out here! She also enjoys other things like scrapbooking, being outside, riding bikes, and the occasionally friendly game of poker with her friends.  She is very happy to work with members to improve their lifestyles as well as making them feel welcome as soon as they walk through the doors.  “I enjoy what I do.  I enjoy being able to interact with members & help make their day.  Everyone is optimistic which makes it a great work environment.”   Thank you, Kelsey, for providing wonderful membership service! Become an Employee.

The Walla Walla YMCA is dedicated to the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility and is committed to building a community
where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body.