Lakeland Youth Center Experiencing Growth In Programs, Participants
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Lakeland Youth Center is growing, not only in the number of youths participating, but also in the number of programs being offered.
"In the last 12 months, we've added three to four programs that have catered to kids of all ages," said LYC Executive Director Brian Rensberger.
He pointed out three of their largest programs.
Their spring soccer program had 175 kids participating. He said they expect it to grow by 30 percent.
This year they have preschool for the first time. Cheryl Manning is the program director for the preschool and Nika Prather is the program director for movement classes.
"Nika," said Rensberger, "has been able to branch off that and create a romp-and-roll class for kids 6 months to 5 years."
Both the movement and romp-and-roll classes help children with motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
The third program, which Rensberger said he is most proud of as director, is the "all-girls basketball league."
Girls do not have much opportunity in the Syracuse-Wawasee community, he said, for what can be regarded as an all-girl program.
The competition in the league is fierce, he said, and this year they had 85 girls in two separate leagues in grades four to eight.
"I'm hoping this all-girl basketball league may be a sign of the future for Lakeland Youth Center," said Rensberger. In the future, he would like to have an all-girls soccer league and other all-girl programs.
All-girl programs help, he said, because he's noticed girls tend to be more timid around the boys and the boys try to run the show. In all-girls basketball, girls enjoy it more and are more aggressive and assertive.
"I'm going to go out on a limb and say every girl in our league has scored a basket," said Rensberger.
There are some girls who prefer mixed leagues, of course. Mixed basketball registration for kindergarten through grade eight is Nov. 29 and 30 and Dec. 6 and 7 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Regardless of the program, Rensberger said, participation has increased 65 percent in the last 12 months. The growth, he said, allows LYC to experiment with such programs as the all-girls basketball league.
"The general flow of participants who have registered ... in the 2-1/2 years I've been here, I've seen a steady growth," Rensberger said. He attributes the growth to the board of directors, the quality programs and the people who have seen the programs in action.
His confidence that LYC and its programs will continue to grow is because, he said, kids are more active and they're seeing that LYC has more to offer. The kids bring friends to LYC's events and the friends then become interested in the center.
Program participation doesn't cost much either, Rensberger said. LYC's mission is to have programs in place that are affordable to everyone, he said, and LYC offers scholarships to help those who may not be able to pay the full amount to participate.
"Never," he said, "do we want to keep a child from participating because mom and dad can't afford it." Financial assistance is kept confidential. "Not enough people take advantage of it."
Another program LYC offers is its after-school program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for students in the Syracuse school system.
The program provides youth with snacks, physical activity, tutoring and guest speakers.
Rensberger said, "One of the neatest guest speakers we'll ever see will happen Jan. 10. 'Mad Science' will put on a demonstration for the kids. ... That's going to be our way of kicking off the second semester."
Other possible programs may include Raptor Chapter, which finds and heals wounded animals, and members of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Previous speakers included a member of the military and a police officer with a police dog.
On Dec. 9, there will be a community breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon. Activities will be at LYC with breakfast at the Knights of Columbus building from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Cost for the breakfast is $2 for adults and children 12 and under eat free. Santa will arrive on the fire truck at 9 a.m. at LYC.
Rensberger said, "It's really a neat concept because we're combining forces with other organizations for the kids in our community."
A free Beanie Baby and picture will be given while supplies last to each child who sits on Santa's lap. Door prizes also will be raffled off. Cookies and milk will be provided for the kids.
The event is being sponsored by Lakeland Youth Center, Knights of Columbus, Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club, Wawasee Kiwanis, Boy Scouts and Dana Corp.
Rensberger said, "We want to be positive role models for kids." The way to do that, he said, is through the programs. "Any opportunity we can have to provide fun for kids, that's what we want."
For more information on LYC, call Rensberger at 457-3055.
The new executive committee of the board of LYC directors, which will take office in January, includes president Jamie Prescott, vice president Chris Cotton, secretary Keith Ort and treasurer Doug Heinisch. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Lakeland Youth Center is growing, not only in the number of youths participating, but also in the number of programs being offered.
"In the last 12 months, we've added three to four programs that have catered to kids of all ages," said LYC Executive Director Brian Rensberger.
He pointed out three of their largest programs.
Their spring soccer program had 175 kids participating. He said they expect it to grow by 30 percent.
This year they have preschool for the first time. Cheryl Manning is the program director for the preschool and Nika Prather is the program director for movement classes.
"Nika," said Rensberger, "has been able to branch off that and create a romp-and-roll class for kids 6 months to 5 years."
Both the movement and romp-and-roll classes help children with motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
The third program, which Rensberger said he is most proud of as director, is the "all-girls basketball league."
Girls do not have much opportunity in the Syracuse-Wawasee community, he said, for what can be regarded as an all-girl program.
The competition in the league is fierce, he said, and this year they had 85 girls in two separate leagues in grades four to eight.
"I'm hoping this all-girl basketball league may be a sign of the future for Lakeland Youth Center," said Rensberger. In the future, he would like to have an all-girls soccer league and other all-girl programs.
All-girl programs help, he said, because he's noticed girls tend to be more timid around the boys and the boys try to run the show. In all-girls basketball, girls enjoy it more and are more aggressive and assertive.
"I'm going to go out on a limb and say every girl in our league has scored a basket," said Rensberger.
There are some girls who prefer mixed leagues, of course. Mixed basketball registration for kindergarten through grade eight is Nov. 29 and 30 and Dec. 6 and 7 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Regardless of the program, Rensberger said, participation has increased 65 percent in the last 12 months. The growth, he said, allows LYC to experiment with such programs as the all-girls basketball league.
"The general flow of participants who have registered ... in the 2-1/2 years I've been here, I've seen a steady growth," Rensberger said. He attributes the growth to the board of directors, the quality programs and the people who have seen the programs in action.
His confidence that LYC and its programs will continue to grow is because, he said, kids are more active and they're seeing that LYC has more to offer. The kids bring friends to LYC's events and the friends then become interested in the center.
Program participation doesn't cost much either, Rensberger said. LYC's mission is to have programs in place that are affordable to everyone, he said, and LYC offers scholarships to help those who may not be able to pay the full amount to participate.
"Never," he said, "do we want to keep a child from participating because mom and dad can't afford it." Financial assistance is kept confidential. "Not enough people take advantage of it."
Another program LYC offers is its after-school program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for students in the Syracuse school system.
The program provides youth with snacks, physical activity, tutoring and guest speakers.
Rensberger said, "One of the neatest guest speakers we'll ever see will happen Jan. 10. 'Mad Science' will put on a demonstration for the kids. ... That's going to be our way of kicking off the second semester."
Other possible programs may include Raptor Chapter, which finds and heals wounded animals, and members of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Previous speakers included a member of the military and a police officer with a police dog.
On Dec. 9, there will be a community breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon. Activities will be at LYC with breakfast at the Knights of Columbus building from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Cost for the breakfast is $2 for adults and children 12 and under eat free. Santa will arrive on the fire truck at 9 a.m. at LYC.
Rensberger said, "It's really a neat concept because we're combining forces with other organizations for the kids in our community."
A free Beanie Baby and picture will be given while supplies last to each child who sits on Santa's lap. Door prizes also will be raffled off. Cookies and milk will be provided for the kids.
The event is being sponsored by Lakeland Youth Center, Knights of Columbus, Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club, Wawasee Kiwanis, Boy Scouts and Dana Corp.
Rensberger said, "We want to be positive role models for kids." The way to do that, he said, is through the programs. "Any opportunity we can have to provide fun for kids, that's what we want."
For more information on LYC, call Rensberger at 457-3055.
The new executive committee of the board of LYC directors, which will take office in January, includes president Jamie Prescott, vice president Chris Cotton, secretary Keith Ort and treasurer Doug Heinisch. [[In-content Ad]]