Parents Night Out with Help from YMCA

Teriney Grooms, staff writer

The summer of 2017 was big for the Piedmont Family YMCA. With the non-profit’s main building previously located in Crozet, June saw the end of a 19-month construction project completing the new Brooks Family YMCA. Now, after being fully operational for six months, the Y is offering  exciting and enriching programs.

One of the new programs is Parents Night Out (PNO), a night where parents can drop off their children for a few hours and enjoy some child-free time. The real fun is for the children. Kids, ages 5 to 11 can enjoy the facilities and activities at the Y, such as the basketball court, play-zone, arts and crafts, the pool, and pizza! Coordinator Michelle Amtmann says, “It’s an opportunity for us to entertain the kids…while the parents enjoy a night out or in.”

Currently the event is not available for non-members but Amtmann says it is something that she and her team are looking into.

Amtmann says the reason for starting the event was because, “we wanted to give parents an opportunity to spend time together or to just take a break…knowing that their children are in a safe place.” So far the event has received 100 percent positive feedback which is a great sign for Amtmann and her team as they hope the event will continue.

Amtmann’s favorite part about hosting the event she says is, “Playing with the kids, seeing their smiles and knowing their having a good time being here with us, makes me feel really good.”

Dec. 8 is  the last is the date for Parents Night Out in 2017. Parents Night Out is held at the Brooks Family YMCA and takes place every second Friday of the month.

The event is happening from 5:30-8:30 pm, ages 5 to 11 are welcome and the sign-up fee is $15 for members. Contact the Brooks Family YMCA for more information at 434-974-9622 or Michelle Amtmann at mamtmann@piedmontymca.org.