By Sarah Avans
Correspondent
The YMCA may bring summer programs to Trenton.
City Recreation Director Chuck Cannon said he met Monday with John Donahoo, senior program director at the North Georgia Family YMCA, and representative Bill Rush to discuss plans for bringing the Y to Dade County.
Mr. Donahoo said the YMCA has community-based camps in surrounding communities and is planning to bring that opportunity to the Trenton City Park and Jenkins Field.
The summer program provides children with a safe environment, he said. Programming is focused on teaching them character development, respect, honesty, caring and responsibility, he said.
“It teaches them the importance of working together and building teamwork skills,” Mr. Rush said.
Throughout the program there will be health and physical activities as well as creative skills.
“This is great,” Mr. Cannon said. “It is all just kind of falling into place.”
There also were talks about giving swimming lessons at the city pool during hours when it’s not open to the public.
Mr. Donahoo said he believes that working with the recreation department will foster a strong relationship between the YMCA and Trenton.
While YMCA officials insisted on paying something to the city, Mr. Cannon said that for now the YMCA would be able to use the park for free, just keeping it clean. However, officials would have to come up with a price for use of the pool and would discuss any fees for the park at a later time, he said.
“If you guys would pick up trash, it would actually help us,” Mr. Cannon told Mr. Donahoo. “We are currently having to pay someone to do that.”
Students and parents should see fliers going up in schools before the end of the week. There also will be information banners around the park, officials said.
“Anything that is good for the kids is why we are in this,” Mr. Donahoo said.
Sarah Avans is based in Dade County. Contact her at smccurter.ctfp@gmail.com.
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