HURLOCK — On March 29 from 7-8 pm, staff members from the Dorchester County Family YMCA will be sharing with the residents of North Dorchester plans to bring fitness and youth sports to Hurlock Elementary beginning April 11. Residents from the North Dorchester area are invited to come and learn what the YMCA has planned for the first 8 weeks as well as share suggestions for future programming.

Programming for the space originated from a survey that was recently conducted through the Mayor’s Office in Hurlock as well as the schools located in North Dorchester which include: Hurlock Elementary, Vienna Elementary, Warwick Elementary and North Dorchester Middle and High Schools.

The survey was created by the Dorchester County Family YMCA and 3,000 surveys were distributed in February with an overall response rate of 10 percent. Results revealed that 70 percent of the respondents were families with children and 91 percent indicated they are not current Dorchester YMCA members because it is very difficult for them to use the Y’s facility in Cambridge during the school and work week.

After reviewing the data, the Dorchester YMCA began working to identify fitness classes and youth sports they can immediately bring to Hurlock Elementary beginning April 11. Memberships for both those who wish to access programs and classes at Hurlock Elementary during the week as well as those who want to access both Hurlock Elementary during the week and the Dorchester YMCA’s main Cambridge location on the weekends will be made available.

A special No Joining Fee will be offered to any North Dorchester residents who sign up through April. Schedules will be distributed at the forum as well as registrations taken and information distributed. The YMCA is also actively recruiting fitness instructors who live in the North Dorchester area.

“We are very excited. Meeting the needs of the residents in North Dorchester has been a part of the YMCA’s strategic plan since 2012. We are only able to undertake this important task with the support and cooperation of the Superintendent’s Office as well as the Principal of Hurlock Elementary Linda Wilson,” stated Gerry Boyle, the Dorchester Family YMCA’s chief volunteer officer. “And we are very excited to serve as the official launch site for bringing YMCA fitness classes and youth sports to North Dorchester. We hope to have a wonderful turnout on March 29 at 7 pm to show the YMCA how much we are looking forward to participating in the programs and classes available,” shared Linda Wilson, principal of Hurlock Elementary.

For more information on the hours of operation and rates for North Dorchester residents, contact Tracy Tracy, 410-221-0505, ttracy@dorchesterymca.org or visit us online at www.dorchesterymca.org and look for the tab entitled Membership – North Dorchester.