WATER SAFETYKeep kids safe around water this summer!

1) An adult should actively watch children atall times while they are in a pool. For infantsand toddlers, an adult should be in the waterand within arm’s reach, providing “touch supervision.”  Put your child in swim lessons.Children can learn to swim as young as 3 yearsold!

2) Water wings go by many names - floaties,arm bands, swimmies, side wings, etc. - but theyall have similar design construction. They are inflatable plastic bands worn around the upperarm that provide mild flotation assistance foruncertain young swimmers. It is important tonote that water wings are not a lifesaving deviceand should not be worn as a substitute for aCoast Guard Approved Life Jacket. Children usingany type of floatation device should have a parent with-in arms reach at all times.

3) Do not swim during thunder & lightning.Lightning is attracted to water. Be safe, go inside and wait for the storm to pass. The YMCAof the USA is the leading organization on watersafety and leads the way on policies/proceduresof clearing pools when there is a storm in thearea.

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT®FOR HEALTHY LIVINGFOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

ALWAYS HEREFOR YOU

G. CECIL PRUETT COMMUNITY CENTER FAMILY YMCApcy.ymcaatlanta.orgwww.ymcaregistration.comwww.facebook.com/CantonYs

a newsletter for Y members and volunteers July 2016

INDEPENDENCE DAYAT THE YInteresting facts about the 4th of JulyWe celebrate American Independence Day on the Fourth of Julyevery year. We think of July 4, 1776, as a day that represents theDeclaration of Independence and the birth of the United States ofAmerica as an independent nation.

• July 4, 1776 wasn’t the day that the Continental Congress decided to declare independence (they did that on July 2, 1776)

• It wasn’t the day we started the American Revolution either (that had happened back in April 1775)

• It wasn’t the day Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence (that was in June 1776)

• Not the date on which the Declaration was delivered to Great Britain (that didn’t happen until November 1776). Or the date it was signed (that was August 2, 1776)

So what DID happen on the Fourth of July?The Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4,1776. They had been working on it for a couple of days after the draft was submitted on July 2 and finally agreed on all of the edits and changes.

When did July 4 become a holiday?For the first 15 or 20 years after the Declaration was written, people didn’t celebrate it much on any date. Celebrations of theFourth of July became more common as the years went on. In 1870,almost a hundred years after the Declaration was written, Congressfirst declared July 4 to be a National Holiday as part of a bill to officially recognize several holidays, including Christmas.

JULY Y HAPPENINGSBelow is your July at the Y at a glance! Be sure to mark your calendar withthis month’s upcoming Y activities for you and your family!

July 1 Sunset Paddle Boarding: There will be NO Sunset Paddle Boarding on Friday, July 1. We will continue July 8,15, 22, & 29 at the Cherokee Outdoor YMCA from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

July 3 MUST Ministries Summer Lunch Program: Collecting juice boxes or water bottles until July 9

July 4 4th of July Facility Hours: 1 - 6 pm. The facility and pool will be open. No child care or group exercise classes offered

Summer Camp: Camp will NOT be offered on July 4

July 9 Parent’s Night Out: Spots still available. Register Now!

PADI Scuba: At Cherokee Outdoor YMCA July 9-10Questions? email PeggyD@ymcaatlanta.org

July 10 MUST Ministries Summer Lunch Program: Collecting snack items like goldfish, trail mix, mini bags of pretzels or chips until July 16

July 14 Foster Family Support Group: A great way to connect and do life with other foster families! For current foster parents from 6 - 7:30pm.

July 16 USSF Soccer Referee Training: R9 class for 14 yrs & under. Training hosted at the Cherokee Outdoor Y. Sign up here!

July 17 MUST Ministries Summer Lunch Program: Collecting loaves of white or wheat bread until July 23

July 19 YMCA Foster Care Informational Meeting: Goshen Homes in partnership with the Cherokee YMCA will be hosting a Foster Care. Informational Meeting from 6 - 7:30pm.

July 20 Togetherhood Meeting: Hunger doesn’t take summers off. Learn how you can help at our informational meeting at 3 pm about our summer lunch program with MUST Ministries.

July 22 ALA Fall Camp Out: Open to all Teens interested in learning how to become a dynamic and community minded leader. Camp out will be held at the Cherokee Outdoor YMCA Friday at 7 pm until Saturday 9 am.

July 23 USSF Soccer Referee Training: R8 class for 15 years and older. Training hosted at the Cherokee Outdoor Y. Sign up here!

July 25 MUST Lunches: Help us serve our community this summer by volunteering to assemble lunch bags from 8 - 10:30 am.

ALWAYS HeRe FOR YOU | a newsletter for Y members and volunteers

Teen Leaders Club This is a club for our teens by ourteens. This club seeks to empower our teens with a sense of ownershipover their camp experience and theircommunity while developing the skillsnecessary to lead the next generationof campers. Teen Leaders Club meetsonce a week in the Woodall Family Dining Hall (located at the CherokeeOutdoor Y) at 5:30 pm. Our meetingshelp develop leadership skills throughteam building activities and open discussions about current events. We also plan and organize upcomingevents and service projects. Questions? Contact Connor O’Hara atConnorO@ymcaatlanta.org.