Letter from Sussex County Y's Executive Director David M. Carcieri

What a great time to be part of the Y family! Summer has brought a burst of activity to our Hardyston building, Blue Mountain Day Camp in Stillwater, and White Lake Beach Club in Sparta. It’s one of our favorite times of the year because of the Y’s commitment to youth development and the numerous excited faces we see. Young, eager campers have been enjoying traditional and non-traditional camp pastimes, ranging from swimming to lacrosse to drama. Fortunately, we still have a few openings at the Hardyston facility and Blue Mountain Day Camp if you are looking for wholesome summer activities for your children.

We kicked into high gear in June by offering our free SPLASH (Swim, Play, and Learn Aquatic Safety Habits) program. The safety initiative is designed to educate young people about ways to remain safe in and around the water. Our staff visited nine local elementary schools and performed skits to emphasize prudent ways to enjoy summer activities. During these assemblies, we reached out to more than 1,000 students and offered an interactive lesson on how to stay safe in the summer. We talked about heat and sun protection, bicycle safety, dangers encountered while taking walks, and swimming precautions. SPALSH culminated at the Hardyston facility with a week of free swim instruction and water safety tips for more than 200 young people, both YMCA member and non-members. I know the hard work of our Red Cross Certified Swim Instructors will pay off by helping summer stay fun for SPALSH participants.

Once again this summer, we are grateful to be managing the White Lake Beach Club in Sparta. The area is located close to the Y and offers an excellent opportunity for relaxing family fun and bonding. The beach and lake are open from noon to 7 p.m. Pack a picnic and enjoy family and friends.

May this summer offer you the best of everything.