ELDO Kids Week

July 18-22, 2022

The week-long summer event was sponsored by Experience El Dorado, the YMCA and HF Sinclair and offered fun for the whole family.

“We had a great turnout for our events and are pleased with how this first Kids Week went,” said Javan Gonzalez, Destination Services Coordinator with the City of El Dorado’s Experience El Dorado. 

“Movie Monday” was held at Central 6 Cinema with a free showing of “Minions: The Rise Of Gru.”

High Fives for the Walnuts

“Baseball Tuesday” was at McDonald Stadium with a game between the El Dorado Walnuts versus the Winfield Moos and included games and activities.

Cooling off

“Swim Wednesday” offered a welcomed break from the heat with free swimming at the El Dorado Municipal Pool.

Learning and fun go hand in hand at the museum.

“Museum Thursday” at the Butler County Historical Society Home of the Kansas Oil Museum included a host of educational activities.

“Friday Night Lights” rounded out the week at North Main Park with fun games and activities including the Splash Pads. 

“We couldn’t have provided all of these great, free events without the help and generosity of our partners, HF Sinclair and the YMCA,” said Gonzalez. “They were great to work with and helped put on a wonderful week for the kids in El Dorado. We want to thank everyone who volunteered, donated and attended the events.”

Volunteer of the Year

El Dorado Branch YMCA 

Kyle Loucks is the Volunteer of the Year award winner for the El Dorado YMCA and is a nominee for the overall Greater Wichita YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award that will be presented at the  Annual Celebration to be held March 10th.  As the El Dorado Y Volunteer of the Year, Kyle will be presented with a plaque at the event. 

Kyle Loucks is the El Dorado YMCA Volunteer of the Year

“Our volunteer of the year, Kyle Loucks, works at the front desk,” said Matt Engel Branch Director of El Dorado YMCA. 

“She is our ultimate gretter. The regulars who come in in the morning expect to see her at the front desk,” said Engel.  She is part of our family and part of our culture. She is definitely the life of the time when she is here.”

Loucks has volunteered at the El Dorado YMCA for 6 years. 

“My favorite part is greeting people,” said Loucks. “And I like helping them feel happy and healthy.”

“Kyle has the best attitude,” said Engel.  “She does towel runs and will help wherever she can.”  

  “Volunteers of the Year at the branch level are selected for the exceptional work they do to make the Greater Wichita YMCA better. Their length of involvement with the Y and the impact they make on all those around them are part of the selection process,” said Angela Cato, Director of Marketing for the Greater Wichita YMCA.

YMCA After School Program

The YMCA, USD 490 and Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital have partnered to offer a free after school program for all El Dorado Middle School students. The Program held it’s kick-off bowling party for the new school year.  Grizzly Bowl was host to the party on Saturday, September 8th. But it’s not too late to join the fun.

Membership to the YMCA is not required.  It is free to all EMS students but parents are required to fIll out an online form to register, which provides for consent.

According to Alison Oelfke, Youth Program Director, it focuses on “things from healthy eating, stress management to [a variety of] game situations to get them active to learn a little more about their health.”

The program developed out of a need for after school activities. Other than intramural sports, there were not a lot of options for the sixth graders, who tend to make the up the majority of those who attend the program.

A partnership with USD490 provides transportation to the YMCA after school, and if desired, transportation back to a community bus drop off location after the program.  

The program operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the YMCA after school until 5:30p. On Tuesday, the focus is on “Club Time” for individual development and Thursday’s focus is on group activities which are designed to develop teamwork and good sportsmanship.  For more information call the El Dorado YMCA at 316-320-9622.

 

Coaches Needed for Youth Sports

Coaches are needed for the youth fall sports activities operated by the YMCA in partnership with the City of El Dorado Parks and Recreation Department.  There are not enough coaches to cover all the teams, which include flag football, soccer and volleyball.

Teams have formed as practice begins this week with games starting next week.  Several of the volunteers are coaching more than one team.

If you would like to volunteer, contact

• Wendy at the YMCA, 316-320-9622 or
• the City of El Dorado at 316-321-9100