YMCA AT THE ESSENTIA WELLNESS CENTER - PAGE 2
BRANCH UPDATES - March 2025
COMMUNITY SERVICES YMCA - PAGE 8
DOWNTOWN DULUTH YMCA - PAGE 4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ASSOCIATION ADMINISTRATION - PAGE 14
COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY YMCA - PAGE 6
YMCA CAMP MILLER - PAGE 11
DULUTH AREA FAMILY YMCA
On March 8th, 2025, the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown partnered with Crisp & Green in Duluth to host a free Zumba class for the community. Led by our incredible instructor, Monita, participants enjoyed an energizing and fun workout, embracing the Y’s mission to promote health, wellness, and community engagement. Following the class, attendees took advantage of a Buy One, Get One Free offer on signature salads, grain bowls, and wraps at Crisp & Green. Additionally, 10% of the day’s sales were donated directly to the YMCA, raising an impressive $400 to support our community wellness initiatives. This event was part of a broader Dine to Donate campaign, with Texas Roadhouse, Panera Bread, and QDOBA also contributing in support of the Y’s programs that week. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these generous partners and to everyone who dined out to make a difference! Monita first discovered Zumba through her college roommate and quickly fell in love with the program. She became an instructor with the goal of helping others find confidence, health, and community. Monita describes Zumba as a constantly evolving workout that keeps participants engaged and challenged. In her words: “I dare you to try and leave without a smile on your face!” These partnerships reinforce our commitment to building a stronger, healthier community by making fitness accessible and fun. Thank you for your continued support in championing the Y’s mission!
As the snow began to melt and the sunshine returned, March brought a much-needed shift at the Early Childhood Development Center—we finally got back outside! After a long winter, it was a joy to see the children exploring the playgrounds again, enjoying fresh air, and engaging in outdoor activities. The warmer weather brought new energy to our classrooms and reminded us just how important outside time is for learning and development. We also had some festive fun this month celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! The children built traps and followed clues in hopes of catching a sneaky leprechaun—but he was much too fast for us! While we didn’t catch him, we made lots of great memories and shared plenty of laughs. We’re grateful for the change in season and are looking forward to all that spring will bring to our center!
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April 11th: Military Kids Purple Up Event 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. April 20th: YMCA membership-based branches closed for Easter April 25th: Parent’s Night Out & Teen Night April 26th: YMCA Healthy Kids Day: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. @ Downtown Duluth YMCA 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. @ Superior YMCA 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. @ YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center May 12th-17th: Spring Mini-Campaign May 21st-26th: Building Closures: May 21st-26th: Pool/Sauna & locker room closure for maintenance, painting, and deep clean May 24th-26th: Facility will be CLOSED for Wellness Center deep clean & Memorial Day Weekend
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on March 3rd for the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center’s Chuck-A-Puck event! With your support, we raised an incredible $13,120 for our financial assistance program—helping ensure that all community members can access Y programs that promote health and wellness. This year’s event saw amazing participation, with over 300 Y supporters purchasing a total of 1,610 pucks! Players had the chance to win exciting prizes, including $750 in Delta flight vouchers donated by Minnesota Energy Resources, a week of overnight camp at YMCA Camp Miller, a week of Y Day Camp, a GT mountain bike donated by Ski Hut, and Minnesota Frost hockey tickets. A special shoutout to UMD Men’s Hockey, CSS Women’s Hockey, and Proctor Hermantown Mirage for bringing extra excitement to the day with their ‘Celebrity Chucker’ enthusiasm and encouragement. Thank you for being part of our Y community—we can’t wait to see you next year for more puck-tossing fun!
The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center
The Downtown Duluth YMCA was thrilled to relaunch our Teen THRIVE program in March! Teen THRIVE is a drop-in program designed to empower and support teens ages 10–18 by offering a safe, welcoming space where they can connect, grow, and thrive. We primarily serve youth from the greater downtown area, providing structured yet flexible programming that meets teens where they are. We’re especially excited to see regular participation from teens in the Harbor Highlands community, many of whom have been attending one to three times each week. Through engaging activities—from gym games and art projects to preparing nutritious snacks—Teen THRIVE is making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people in our community.
Six of our Northerns competitive swimmers represented us at the YMCA Midwest Regionals Swim Meet the weekend of March 15th in Iowa. It was a weekend full of personal bests, several top-ten finishes, plenty of laughter, and outstanding sportsmanship! We are so proud of all our swimmers for their hard work and dedication this season, and we can’t wait to dive into Spring Swim Club in April!
Congratulations to our Gold and Platinum Aerials who competed at the Minnesota State Meet from March 21st–23rd! Of our fourteen competitors, twelve have qualified to attend Regionals in April! A big shoutout to our Gold athletes: Addi, Aila, Amelia, Gianna, Harly, Jojo, Lucy, and Serana—and to our Platinums: Bri, Emma, Jaidy, and Josie! We’re also celebrating some amazing top-three finishes! Serana, Emma, and Aila each took home 2nd place on Vault in their respective age groups. Jojo won Balance Beam for her age group with an impressive score of 9.7 and placed 2nd in the All-Around! Regionals will take place April 25th–27th—be sure to wish these incredible athletes the best of luck!
Downtown Duluth YMCA
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Over the winter, we introduced a pop-up group fitness class every Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. to give members more opportunities to stay active during the colder months. These pop-up classes have been a hit, with strong turnout each week! Every Saturday brings something different—ranging from strength classes and yoga to cycle and ASAHI yoga. A few of these Saturdays have featured Deborah Plechner leading her ASAHI class, which focuses on flexibility, balance, circulation, and the connection between mind and body. Be sure to keep an eye on our group exercise schedule for more pop-up classes this spring!
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Cook County Community YMCA
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Saturday, March 15th, brought some new moves to our gymnasium! We were incredibly fortunate to welcome Dan Christenson, who led a free introductory Jiu Jitsu class—and the turnout was fantastic! Participants learned beginner techniques and had the chance to practice them in a supportive setting. A huge thank you to Dan for sharing his expertise and to everyone who joined us! Opportunities like this not only introduce new skills but also foster community engagement, and we’re truly grateful to offer such enriching experiences here at the YMCA.
On Tuesday, March 4th, Voyageur Brewing Company generously hosted us for the Annual YMCA Day of Giving. For every pint and flight sold, a portion of the proceeds was donated to the Cook County Community YMCA in support of our annual campaign. Thanks to community purchases and the generosity of Voyageur Brewing—who matched the amount—we raised $250 to support local YMCA programs. We are incredibly grateful for their continued partnership and proud to be part of a community that comes together to champion local initiatives and make a meaningful impact.
On March 20th, the Cook County Community YMCA, with support from our local partners, hosted a town hall meeting with Senator Grant Hauschild. Approximately 175 community members attended, engaging directly with policymakers and making their voices heard on the issues that matter most to them. It was an incredible opportunity to foster civic engagement, strengthen community connections, and promote open dialogue between residents and elected officials. We’re truly grateful to have played a role in facilitating such a meaningful and impactful event for the people of Cook County.
March brought another fun-filled session of Tumble Tots to our gym for preschoolers through 6-year-olds, along with two exciting two-day clinics: Agility Xtreme and Intermediate Gymnastics, both designed for ages 6 to 12. All together, we had 23 children participate in these month-long programs! Tumble Tots focused on introducing basic gymnastics skills with an emphasis on balance and coordination. Agility Xtreme combined strength, speed, flexibility, and agility with fun elements like rolls, flips, and spins. Our Intermediate Gymnastics clinic helped young athletes work on advanced skills such as back walkovers, back handsprings, and aerials. We’re grateful for the opportunity to offer these engaging programs to youth in Cook County, helping them build confidence and grow their skills in a supportive environment.
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Our Out-of-School-Time programs held their second annual Career Week from March 17th–21st! This special week is designed to introduce students to a variety of careers and career pathways. Throughout the week, youth engaged in a range of career-themed activities and explored different jobs, helping them discover more about their interests and future opportunities. We were thrilled to welcome many guest speakers across all our sites, including YMCA leadership, community members, and parents. A heartfelt thank you to all our visitors who took the time to share their experiences and inspire our students—you helped make this week a truly meaningful one!
In March, the Harbor Highlands Youth Program celebrated both National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week and Youth Voice Week. For CACFP Week, youth explored healthy eating through hands-on activities in Cooking Club. They also participated in a variety of enrichment opportunities, including making tie blankets for donation, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in team-building games in the gym. During Youth Voice Week, we partnered with the older youth who attend our Tuesday Teen Nights to create vision boards reflecting their future goals. These sessions sparked meaningful conversations about how they can use their voices to make a difference in their community.
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Each month, fourth-grade students from Hermantown Public Schools are making a meaningful impact through service learning, highlighting the importance of giving back to their community. Their active participation ensures all students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on service projects. In March, these students generously donated over 500 soups and boxes of macaroni & cheese to support individuals served through Duluth YMCA programs. The Duluth Y is deeply grateful to have already received two thoughtful donations from these young changemakers. Thank you to these inspiring students for their dedication to creating a stronger, more caring community!
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Community Services
2025-2026 K.E.Y. Zone and Eagle’s Nest school year registration opens April 7th through the 9th.
Brittani Lutz-Midthun is the Site Coordinator at Lakewood K.E.Y. Zone and also serves as an administrative assistant for Out-of-School Time. She has been with the Y for five months and loves working with the kids, learning what inspires them, and watching them grow as individuals. “I absolutely adore Lakewood,” Brittani shares. “It has a sense of community, and everyone I’ve met has been kind and helpful on this journey.” With the end of the school year approaching and summer right around the corner, Brittani is excited to spend more time outside with the kids, incorporating hands-on outdoor activities and programming. “Being outside and exploring nature has really enriched my life and my family’s life. My kids love being outdoors and learning all about nature. I hope to bring this passion to the kids at K.E.Y. Zone as well.”
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Camp Miller is thrilled to announce the hiring of our new full-time Program Director, Katie Lakatosh, who will officially begin her role in late April. Katie brings with her a wealth of experience in camping and youth development, having worked at camps across Michigan and Iowa. Her background reflects a deep passion for creating meaningful, engaging, and inclusive experiences for campers of all ages. Most recently, Katie served as the Assistant Camp Director at Camp Hantesa in Boone, Iowa, where she played a key role in program planning, staff development, and camper engagement. We are so excited to welcome Katie to the Camp Miller team and are confident that her leadership and enthusiasm will be a wonderful addition to our camp community.
We are thrilled to introduce the brand-new Cook County Mini Camp, offered in partnership with the Cook County Community YMCA in Grand Marais! This marks the first time Camp Miller has launched an overnight camp specifically designed for youth in the far northern region of the state. The response so far has been incredibly encouraging, with 27 campers already registered toward our goal of 30 participants. The program is scheduled for August 10th– 13th and will provide a condensed yet impactful camp experience, filled with adventure, learning, and connection. To make participation as accessible as possible, the YMCA will provide transportation for campers from Grand Marais to Camp Miller in Sturgeon Lake. We are excited to extend the reach of our programming and offer even more youth the opportunity to experience the magic of camp!
In March, Camp Miller staff had the opportunity to visit six K.E.Y. Zone sites as part of our ongoing outreach to promote summer camp. During these visits, we engaged students with a variety of fun and interactive activities—including crafts, campfire songs, and exciting new games—giving them a small taste of the Camp Miller experience. These site visits are an important way for us to build relationships within the community, allowing us to connect directly with both children and their families. They also give us a chance to reconnect with past campers, spark excitement for the upcoming summer, and share all the incredible opportunities Camp Miller has to offer. We’re always grateful for the chance to bring a little camp magic into the schools!
YMCA Camp Miller
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We were privileged to practice with the Wolfpack Youth Lacrosse team and their coaches at Piedmont K.E.Y. Zone on March 5th. The response from our students was overwhelmingly positive—they thoroughly enjoyed learning about this unique sport and participating in the activities. This opportunity gave our students valuable exposure to a new athletic skill set, emphasized teamwork, and sparked interest in a sport they may wish to pursue further. A special thank you to the team for coming out and sharing your time and talents with us!
Jim Wright
Mike Sample
Robert and Beth Carpenter Giving Fund
Lori and Ricky Wright
Tony Koecher
Jenna Olson
Chad Acker
Jamie MacDougall
Raquel Conway
Camp Miller is always looking for volunteers to support our work in a variety of ways. From light cleaning and program delivery to facility and grounds maintenance, we welcome helping hands throughout the year. If you’re interested in getting involved with camp projects and supporting our camp community, we’d love to have you join us! Please contact Gina Miller at gmiller@duluthymca.org with any questions or to sign up as a volunteer.
Summer camp registration for 2025 continues to grow, and we’re thrilled to see the excitement building for another unforgettable season! With a goal of welcoming over 600 campers, we still have availability across all of our overnight programs. Families interested in learning more or securing a spot can find full registration details on our website: ymcacampmiller.org. We can’t wait to welcome both new and returning campers for a summer filled with adventure, connection, and growth!
YMCA Camp Miller staff had the pleasure of participating in the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center’s Family Night on March 7th. The event welcomed over 100 participants, including many children from Lester Park Elementary School. Families enjoyed a variety of engaging activities, including arts and crafts, s’more making, swimming, gym games, and more. It was a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with local families, share the spirit of camp, and strengthen our ties within the community.
YMCA Camp Miller was proud to host the Alpha Delta Service Fraternity from the University of Minnesota Duluth for their annual service visit. Fifteen members of the group spent the day—and stayed overnight—working on a variety of improvement projects around camp. Their efforts included painting, moving bunks, bike maintenance, and other light facility work. This ongoing partnership has become a valued tradition at Camp Miller, and we are incredibly grateful for the fraternity’s continued dedication and support in helping us prepare for the summer season.
Upcoming Events at Camp Miller Pints for a Purpose – May 7th, 2025 Camp Miller is partnering with Voyageur Brewing Company in Grand Marais to raise funds to help send Cook County youth to overnight camp. Join us for a great evening on May 7th and support our“Fill the Bus”campaign—dedicated to making camp accessible for more families in Cook County. Volunteer Work Day – May 16th, 2025 Roll up your sleeves and join us for a day of friendship and fun as we prepare camp for the busy summer season! Projects include painting, cleaning, grounds cleanup, preventative maintenance, and more. All skill levels are welcome! To register, contact Gina Miller at gmiller@duluthymca.org. Family Camp Weekend – August 14th–17th, 2025 Bring the whole family to Camp Miller for an unforgettable long weekend of fun, adventure, and connection! This year, Family Camp is extended to four days, giving every generation the chance to experience the magic of camp. Rent a cabin and enjoy a full schedule of classic camp activities—from campfires and swimming to arts & crafts and more!
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Camp Miller’s annual giving campaign is well underway and has currently reached $33,898—bringing us to 54% of our overall goal! We are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown so far and are excited to continue building momentum as we work to make camp accessible for every child. There are several meaningful ways to get involved, including Cabin Sponsorship, joining The 1898 Club, and other giving opportunities—all of which directly support youth who might not otherwise be able to experience summer camp. Thanks to the support of our donors, over 90 campers have already been awarded financial assistance for Summer 2025. Every dollar raised makes a real difference—helping to remove financial barriers and ensuring that all children have the chance to build confidence, form friendships, and create lasting memories at camp. We’d like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate several of our generous donors who continue to make the magic of summer camp a reality for so many families: Thank you to these friends of Camp Miller!
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Official Spring Camp Miller Work Day In an effort to get camp ready for the summer season, we have an annual work day! Groups or individual volunteers are encouraged to spend time at camp assisting with facility and property projects. There are never shortages of projects and maintenance needs including building, repairing, cleaning, gardening, organizing, and painting. Join us for a fun day down at camp! There is no minimum age to volunteer, however, we ask that youth under twelve years old have adult supervision. When: Friday, May 16th. Time: Work projects are available between 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Where: YMCA Camp Miller, Sturgeon Lake, MN Camp Miller is located about 45 minutes south of Duluth. Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.
VOLUNTEERING
The summer staff recruitment season is off to a great start! One team member attended the Career Awareness and College Fair at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, two staff members represented us at Superior High School and the Career Transfer Fair, and another team member connected with future grads at the Grad Fair at Lake Superior College.
WORK ANNIVERSARIES!
We were excited to bring back our Fun Committee’s tournament-style activity this March with Midwest Animal Madness, featuring 32 Midwestern animals in a lively bracket challenge! Staff voted weekly for their favorite animals across four categories: Herbivores, Fish, Birds, and Carnivores. Each vote also served as an entry into weekly prize drawings—including tickets to the Lake Superior Zoo and other fun, animal-themed prizes. Thank you to everyone who joined in the madness and made this activity a wild success!
Association Administration
Volunteer Highlight: Jerry Christoff Jerry joined the YMCA volunteer family in November 2023 after retiring and looking for ways to give back. Since then, he has become a volunteer extraordinaire—logging over 280 hours in 2024 alone. (Yes, that’s a record!) Jerry has been an incredible gift to our Volunteer Coordinator, to the Y, and to the many lives he has touched through his time, energy, and compassion. We hope you see a little bit of yourself in Jerry’s story—and that his journey inspires you to get involved too. Read more about Jerry below: What volunteer roles have you taken on at the Y? I’ve volunteered with K.E.Y. Zone at Piedmont Elementary, the Harbor Highlands Drop-In summer program, Miracle League Baseball, food distribution at the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center, YMCA Fun Days, and I serve on the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center Advisory Council. What originally got you interested in volunteering with the Y? When I retired, I knew I wanted to give back to the community. While researching volunteer opportunities in the Duluth area, I discovered that the YMCA offered many different ways to get involved. What do you do when you are not out volunteering with the Y? I love the outdoors! In the summer, I rollerblade, bike, and fish. In the winter, I cross-country ski almost every day and downhill ski about 10 times a season. My wife and I also enjoy traveling—this year we’re planning a trip to Peru in September. Where is a place you've always wanted to travel? When we got married, my wife and I made a bucket list of places to visit. We've checked off four so far. Still on the list: Peru, a river cruise in Europe, Australia, Costa Rica, and Alaska. What other volunteer work, organizations, etc. are involved with? I also volunteer for Reading Pals at Hermantown Elementary School, Laundry Love, and Special Olympics when opportunities come up. If you are currently employed and could pick any job, besides the one you are doing now, what would you pick? I’m retired now, and I really enjoy the volunteer work I do. I love working with kids, seniors, and people with disabilities—it brings me so much joy.
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HUMAN RESOURCES
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Maddy Haapala – 5 years of service | Assistant Teacher in the Early Childhood Development Center Camille Wikstrom – 5 years of service | Aquatics at the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center Caro Shull – 15 years of service as a Personal Trainer at the Downtown Duluth YMCA
Throughout February, team members were invited to submit shout-outs recognizing their co-workers—and the results were shared in March. We received over 300 submissions, an incredible increase from last year’s total of 200! We’re proud to see such strong engagement and appreciation among our staff. These shout-outs are a reflection of the positive, supportive workplace culture we strive to build every day—one where recognition, encouragement, and connection truly matter.
TRUE NORTH AMERICORPS
In March, True North AmeriCorps members had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Tasha Johnson, Senior Director of Equity in Youth Development with Y-USA. Dr. Johnson inspired and challenged members to “be the adult you needed as a child,” offering powerful insights and practical tools to support their work. It was an incredibly meaningful and informative training that provided valuable resources for members to bring back to their service sites. Additionally, True North was honored to participate in the Service After Graduation Expo at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where we connected with students interested in giving back to their communities after graduation and shared opportunities to serve through AmeriCorps.
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In March, the Y partnered with Qdoba, Texas Roadhouse, Panera Bread, and Crisp & Green for a “Dine to Donate” campaign, giving the community a delicious way to support our cause. Thanks to your participation, we raised over $750 for our Annual Campaign and got to see friendly faces at local establishments! Our Annual Campaign Committee has also been hard at work gathering items for our upcoming Silent Auction, taking place May 1st–8th. If you have an item to donate or a connection that could help, we’d love to hear from you! Please email giving@duluthymca.org. In addition, we’ve been busy planning for the spring campaign season. From developing messaging and outreach strategies for our spring member giving drive and Silent Auction, to organizing our Kids to Camp appeal and upcoming fundraising events—we’re gearing up for an impactful season of giving!
We’re actively recruiting summer members and are thrilled with the momentum so far! Fourteen members are already committed to serving through August, and we anticipate even more joining in the coming weeks. We’re excited to continue filling our open sites and look forward to building a strong, dedicated team to support our summer programming and make a lasting impact in the communities we serve.
DEVELOPMENT