Wellness Weekend

              This last weekend Y Camp hosted the Women’s Wellness Weekend. It was an event organized and run out of the Walnut Creek YMCA by Chelsey Butler. It was a huge success with 30 women and 6 instructors in attendance. Several branches were represented with women from Walnut Creek, Riverfront, Grubb, Boone and Ankeny YMCAs. Y Camp provided transportation from Walnut Creek. Once the women had gotten settled into their cabins and unpacked, lunch was catered by Fresh. A guest speaker from Tall Grass Co-Op spoke about the benefits of local foods and their new business in Valley Junction.

            After a hearty lunch the hard work began. YMCA classes such as Zumba, Kickboxing, Body Sculpting, and nature hikes gave the women a chance to experience the different classes offered by the YMCA while experiencing the beautiful fall colors that Y Camp has to offer.

            A licensed massage therapist came in from Iowa City to offer 20 minute long massages for a relaxing break from all of the calorie burning that the women were sweating off. Dinner was catered by Hy-Vee.  Nicole Arnold, the registered dietician at the Boone Hy-Vee spoke about shopping smart, eating smart, as well as sharing healthy recipes and sharing information about grocery store tours.

            The evening ended with a candle light yoga session.  This was the highlight for many of the women’s weekend. They got to unwind from the day while listening to the Y Camp nightlife coming to life. Following yoga was a campfire with s’mores. The women chatted about the day and laughed about which was the proper way to roast a marshmallow, all while listening to the sounds of the Barred Owls that call Y Camp home.

            The next morning started at 6:45 with sunrise yoga, followed by a breakfast of fresh fruit and yogurt. Women then had the opportunity to take one last class or experience the beauty of camp by going on a nature hike. The women then loaded the bus to head home with new friends, new memories, and newly aching muscles.

          Thanks to everyone who helped make this a very successful weekend. Please contact either Cole Bowermaster at cole.bowermaster@dmymca.org or Chelsey Butler at Chelsey.butler@dmymca.org for information on upcoming wellness retreats.