Category: Herman & Kate

Braver, Stronger, Smarter Together

Posted on by Summer Knox

Today as I walked through the construction site of the soon to be completed Herman and Kate Y, I could almost hear the splashes of water from the pool and the squeak of sneakers in the gym. I could feel the excitement around the lodge where groups will meet their adventure guide for a hike on Turkey Mountain. I take every opportunity to visit Herman and Kate to see the progress, this time something very different happened. I made my way all the way to the back of the property and looked over towards the work being done on Hailey Chapel, the sight of which froze me in awe. Hailey Chapel is nearing completion, and I can already feel the power of future moments that will take place there. There was so much work being done on this afternoon all around me. Large stones being unloaded at the lodge, the beeping of an excavator backing up, and the shouts of workers communicating across the job site. But all I could hear were the chants of campers singing songs during opening ceremonies and the smell in the air from the firepit where families will roast ‘mallows for s’mores.

Hailey Chapel will be a place that creates belonging, fosters community, and ignites hope! As I watched the work being done and thought of the future, it brought to mind one of the common traits that all centenarians possess: belonging. This is one of the Power 9 traits that will be found in 1 single place through 8 different areas of access at the Herman and Kate Y. And while Hailey Chapel is only a small part of this magical place, its beauty can’t be topped!

We as humans have an innate drive to find a sense of belonging. Our souls crave it, and while everyone feels this drive to varying degrees, most don’t even realize we need belonging to not only survive but also to thrive! For the entirety of my 13-year tenure with the YMCA of Greater Tulsa, my time as been solely spent at YMCA Camp Takatoka and the Westside YMCA. I have watched thousands of campers and families drive the front gates of both properties, and I’ve watched the weight of the world lift from their shoulders almost immediately. The sense of belonging that is experienced during a session of camp is irreplaceable and lifelong!
One of my favorite camp traditions, that I hope is passed down for decades to come just as it was passed down to me, is the reading of this Winnie the Pooh quote,

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…I’ll always be with you.” (A.A. Milne)

At the Y, we take the time to read this to each group individually as an introduction to their connection with something so much greater than themselves. And it’s this connection that is found in Hailey Chapel, at the Herman and Kate Y affectionately named after the late Laura Hailey. A champion for youth, Laura Hailey embodied everything the Hailey Chapel stands for and will create for the Greater Tulsa community that she so loved and dedicated her life’s work towards supporting. People will come from near and far to escape their daily hustle and bustle for a weekend camping in the woods, right in the middle of Tulsa! When the tents are being broken down and new friends are saying, “see you next time,” they know they will always belong here. Hailey Chapel will be a place for all!

Treadmills to Trails

Posted on Updated on by Summer Knox

The longest living people have been discovered in 5 different areas across the globe, collectively referred to as Blue Zones. And all these Blue Zones have 9 things in common. The YMCA of Greater Tulsa is creating a wonderland right in Tulsa’s Backyard that includes these 9 powerful principles in 1 place through 8 areas of access. In the summer of 2021, the Herman and Kate Kaiser YMCA will become a waypoint for our community and neighbors to strengthen individuals in spirit, mind and body.

One of the Blue Zone commonalities is making physical activity an unavoidable part of your day, and there are numerous ways to achieve this at the Herman and Kate Y. For a century, the Y in west Tulsa has been building strong kids in our active outdoor day camp adventures and youth sports activities. In the gym, you could find young athletes learning of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility while campers on a hike are strengthening more than just their legs but their imagination as well. We know the value in these moments, and in addition to these we have much greater plans in store this time around!

The newly renovated gym will house volleyball and basketball leagues for all ages while the brand-new outdoor sport court and game fields will bring together teams for t-ball and soccer. Grab your co-workers and swing by on your lunch break for a quick pick up match, and get ready to bring the heat in a game of pickleball with new friends. If traditional sports just don’t quite cut it for you, not to worry. The natural landscape that shapes and surrounds the property encourages your very own outdoor fitness adventure.

As Tulsa’s Backyard, the Herman and Kate Kaiser YMCA gives every visitor permission to try something new. You can create your own physical activities while exploring the neighboring trails of Turkey Mountain or join a guided hike with the Y staff. We are taking your fitness journey off the treadmill and to the dirt! Our team will help you train for your first ultra-race or compete against other local corporations as we define and encourage employee wellness. Some visitors will discover a love for aerial yoga and others will clip in for a challenging trail ride on their bike. Look out for the full unique fitness class menu to launch as we get active together and add years of life to our community

Herman and Kate in the 918!

Posted on Updated on by Summer Knox

What if I told you there will be a place in your very own backyard that can extend your life expectancy? According to the centenarians in the five Blue Zones of the world, there are nine secrets to a long and happy life. These Blue Zones are regions of the world where evidence shows people live much longer than average. The secrets shared by each of these Blue Zones are called the Power 9, and here in Tulsa you will be able to find them all at 1 place through 8 areas of access: the Herman and Kate Kaiser YMCA!

One striking commonality of these Blue Zones are their proximity to water. When you enter the Herman and Kate property, look to your left and right to find Mooser Creek. In the summer, the creek is perfect for campers’ exploration, and the scenic views never disappoint visiting hikers. But that is just the beginning! Grab a fishing pole and gear from the Lodge and let us see if anything is biting in Lake Logan! In the spring, the sound of the waterfalls over the dam permeate a peaceful yoga session overlooking the still morning water. And it is all found at Herman and Kate, which has already earned the affectionate nickname of Tulsa’s Backyard.

Just you wait, there is more still to go! The YMCA of Greater Tulsa has always had a great respect for water, and a little-known fact about Oklahoma is our state boasts over 11,000 miles of shoreline! And at the Y, we understand the importance of safety around water for our community. In 2019 alone, we taught 1,254 participants how to swim across our 7 natatoriums. Over 600 campers learned how to work together canoeing on Lake Logan. In 1968, we opened the pool at the west Tulsa campus and so our love affair with water continued. And fast forwarding fifty-three years to 2021, I have the pleasure to introduce to you the largest outdoor swimming pool in the area!

The pool at the Herman and Kate Kaiser YMCA will not be just any other pool. It is equipped with zero level entry, numerous play features, a 4-foot drop slide and of course, stretching across the pool, is an aquatic zipline! The pool will not only be a great getaway from the summer heat for our day campers, but also a beacon of safe, family fun to the community on summer nights and weekends. Plus, stay tuned for water aerobic classes, swim lesson options and family camping! Sitting right in the middle of our 30-acre campus surrounded by Mooser Creek, Lake Logan, and 400 acres of urban wilderness, you sure will not find another pool like this anywhere!

Come add years to your life at Herman and Kate in the 918!