Winter activities for all available at Orrville YMCA

Basketball leagues for teens and even younger kids, parents’ nights out, senior activities, and discounted memberships are among things people can look forward to this winter at the YMCA of Wayne County Orrville Branch.

“We are very excited for 2024 and have some great new programs coming for the community,” said Lindsey Baumgartner, Orrville branch director. “We are expanding our ages for the parents’ night outs, adding some pickleball clinics for adults, and art classes in the evenings for 16 and up at our Orrville branch. Our goal is to serve the community in more than just physical ways, but also in social and mental as well.”

Making things easier for participants, the Orrville branch is offering a discounted rate for those paying three months’ worth of membership up front. Baumgartner said the Y has many different membership types, from young to adult to family and senior rates.

“We offer a lot of local businesses discounts to their employees as well for their membership,” she said. “That includes access to the Orrville branch, Wooster branch, Wooster Natatorium, the outdoor pools in Wooster and, for 55 and older folks, access to our Westview Wellness Center.”

Area youngsters including those from first-graders through high school seniors may participate in one of two basketball leagues, both held in Wooster. They include the Wooster YBall High School Basketball League and the Jr. Cavs Youth Basketball League.

The high school league is for players not on a school team. The season lasts for two months and has a postseason tournament. Teams consist of seven to 15 players.

The Jr. Cavs League is for players in first grade through sixth grade, divided into first and second, third and fourth, and fifth and sixth. Each team has a weekly practice and a Saturday morning game. Players get a reversible Cavs jersey and two tickets to a Cavs game.

Other sports activities include February Little Dribblers on Thursdays from Feb. 1-22, Tiny Tacklers on Wednesdays from Feb. 7-28 and Mini Kickers Soccer on Wednesdays from Feb. 7-28. Kids as young as 3 years old may participate.

For parents looking to have that special date, the Orrville branch will hold a Valentine’s Day Parents’ Night Out. Parents may drop their kids off Saturday, Feb. 17 for a night of fun while they go out for a date night. The cost is $18 for Y members and $26 for nonmembers per child.

Kids who attend can swim, have snacks, and do some games and crafts from 6-9 p.m. Registration is open for age 3-14.

Those who may be a bit past needing someone to watch the kids for date night might enjoy some of the Orrville branch’s Senior Actively Aging Social Activities. Each month seniors age 55 and older are invited to eat lunch and take a trip with the Y.

This group, called Actively Aging, does everything from volunteering to arts and crafts, to shopping in Amish Country. Events are scheduled for the group on Feb. 16 and March 11. Email or call Program Director Katie Nickles at katien@ymcawayne.org or 330-683-2153 or visit ymcawayne.org for more information about those and many other activities coming in the winter months.