On June 6, hundreds of Champaign County children will once again make Camp Shiffer come alive with the sights and sounds of summer. To prepare for the 2016 summer camp season, the Champaign Family YMCA is seeking volunteers to join Y staff and board members on Saturday, April 30, in making Camp Shiffer look better than ever.

Interested participants should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and meet at the YMCA, 191 Community Drive in Urbana, by 8:30 a.m. to board the bus to Camp Shiffer. Volunteers may also drive to Camp Shiffer, 5678 Cox Road in North Lewisburg. Following a morning of work in the great outdoors, volunteers will be treated to roasted hot dogs and s’mores around the campfire. The bus will return to the Y by 12:30 p.m.

In addition to the volunteer work day, for the first time the Y is inviting prospective day camp participants and their families to Camp Shiffer for a day of nature, food and fun. Eric Shiffer will lead a nature walk, camp staff will lead in singing camp songs, and families can enjoy roasting hot dogs and s’mores over the campfire. Families should arrive at the Y before 10 a.m. to board the bus for Camp Shiffer. The bus will return to the Y by 12:30 p.m.

Thanks to a generous family’s donation, the Y has operated the 80-acre Camp Shiffer since 2007 as its summer day camp site. Located on this land is an artesian well, manmade trails, an archery area and a variety of trees, plants and wildlife. The YMCA traditional summer camp uses this camp every day during the summer months. This event will give camp families an opportunity to see what a day of YMCA summer camp is all about. For more information contact the Y at 937-653-9622.

Upcoming Y events

Registrations for Spring and Summer Adult and Junior Golf Lessons are underway at the Y. Lessons will be held at Indian Springs Golf Club in Mechanicsburg by teaching professional Gary Bower in May, June and July. For more info, or to sign up, contact Bower at 937-653-9622 or stop in the Y Welcome Center.

Summer Swim Team registrations are open April 16-June 3 at the Y for ages 6-18+; practices and meets are held at the Urbana City Pool. For more info, or to sign up, contact Bower at the Y or stop in the Y Welcome Center.

The Mother Son Dance is May 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Champaign Family YMCA. Tickets are on sale at the Y Welcome Center; $1 for Y members and $3 for non-members