Help Support Operation Blessing

The holiday season is already upon is. As we're caught up in our shopping frenzy, it can be easy to forget that there's others who are struggling.
 
This year, RiverWinds is partnering with West Deptford High School and the National Honor Society to support Operation Blessing.
 

Operation Blessing is an initiative to help local families provide a memorable Christmas for their children. Invited families will be able to choose items for their loved ones at the high school prior to the holidays so that no child goes without.

 

A tree dedicated to this initiative is located in the RiverWinds lobby, with tags indicating a needed item. Clothes, toys, and food will all be listed. Simply choose a tag representing an item, purchase the item, and bring it back to RiverWinds. An NHS representative from the high school will be collecting them to bring back to WDHS for their eventual distribution.

Tags will be available until December 3rd.

Questions can be directed to Aimee Boucher – 856-251-0990 x103 or MaskaA@RiverWinds.org, or Kathleen Laughlin, Red Bank Elementary School Nurse –

856-845-2727 x5228 or KLaughlin@WDeptford.k12.nj.us.

 

Check out the high school's website at

http://www.wdeptford.k12.nj.us/high_school/high.htm for more information!

Weddings and Special Events at RiverWinds

Fall is a fantastic time of year. Sure, pumpkin-flavored everything is great, and hayrides are fun, and yada yada yada. But what we really love at RiverWinds is...wedding season!

Did you know that over one quarter of all weddings are held in the fall? Take that, June! And weddings at RiverWinds can wear the season exquisitely.

Our outdoor amphitheater, overlooking the scenic Delaware River cove, has a fantastic view of both the water and lovely autumnal foliage. The weather is mild but the tree line keeps the sun in and the wind out. And the decorating possibilities are endless!

And that's just outside. Inside, a color-neutral palette accommodates any color scheme to reflect your personal style. New Chiavari chairs have been incorporated into special events packages for a whole new look of elegance. An adjacent verandah is perfect for starry night cocktail hours, and no one will forget the grand entrance as the happy couple makes their entry into the romantically-lit reception for the first time as Husband and Wife. Don’t forget, the sweeping waterfront panorama is a flawless location for wedding portraits, as well.

RiverWinds doesn't just do weddings. Rehearsal dinners, bridal and baby showers, anniversaries and birthdays, christenings, and graduations all find the perfect location in our bright and spacious, 3,400 square foot banquet room. 

Check us out at www.RiverWinds.org and look for our ad in TheKnot.com. Interested in a tour? Call 856-251-0990!

Session 5 in Full Swing!

It's definitely been a while, but we're back!

The end of summer came quickly, and before we knew it, the school busses were on the streets, the gridiron was full, and pumpkin spiced beverages became everyone's Drink of the Day!

And here were are at RiverWinds, tackling the fall with a vengeance!

Session 5 became on September 8th, with the Super Class Pass dropping to only $40. An incredible deal: all the land and water classes one can take from now until December 31st for one low price! We've added some great new classes to the schedule this season, as well: beginner spinning with awesome new instructor Gail, Vinyasa Yoga with another fantastic new teacher Amy, and video based T25! Old favorites like Deep Water Workout and Zumba haven't gone anywhere, either. Check out www.RiverWinds.org for a full list of classes available to you.

Spookypalooza is back for 2013 after a Superstorm Sandy washout last year. Wednesday, October 30th, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., residents, members, and guests can join us for games, snacks, a Costume Parade and Competition, and lots of prizes! One of the highlights of the year for the Gang at RiverWinds is getting to check out all of the creative costumes in West Deptford. Show your holiday spirit, and bring the family!

Interested in Swim Lessons? RiverWinds has partnered with Tide Water Aquatics Club, who are now administering to all lessons. Check out their website at TideWaterAquaticsClub.com for more information!

A few great craft workshops are on the docket for this fall: a wine cork bulletin board on October 17th and a ceramics class on October 28th are both guaranteed to get those creative juices flowing, and are available to non-members! Kids can also get in on the fun with Duck Races on October 9th and the ever-popular Duct Tape Art on October 17th. Go to www.RiverWinds.org for more information.

Speaking of members, RiverWinds Community Center has now opened membership to non-residents! A variety of annual membership packages are available. Residents still enjoy a 50% discount on standard fees, too. There's never been a better time to join!

We've expanded our social media to include Pinterest and Instagram, but need your help! Do you have some great images of you and your family participating in events at the 'Winds? Send them to us for upload on our social media! JPEGs can be sent to MaskaA@RiverWinds.org. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook, too, and stay completely up to date with all your RiverWinds news.

We've scheduled a bonus Discover SCUBA class for Thursday, September 26th at 6:30 p.m. in the Lap Pool. For only $30, try this adventure sport without committing to the entire certification. All gear included! Call 856-251-0990 to enroll.

We loved seeing more of you this summer, and admire your news back to school schedules. Come visit us and take advantage of your place for Family, Fun, and Fitness!

The Gang at RiverWinds
 

Are You Ready for a Challenge? Try Spin Boot Camp!

You have probably heard people talk about this class before and you should believe the hype. Last Wednesday, June 26^th, Fitness Program Coordinator Mandee and Personal Trainer Sean had a goal: to run a challenging fitness class leaving everyone in there walking out sour head to toe. They certainly achieved this goal with an hour long workout that combined spinning and boot camp style workouts. Mandee focused more on cardio and core while Sean was all about speed and strength; the best part is that everyone in there got the best of both styles of training!

Right from the start there was an audience looking down at the class in the gymnasium. With Mandee and Sean giving words of encouragement and the rest of the class refusing to give in to the intensity of exercises, this no doubt gave motivation to everyone in the gym.

After the sweat and hard work, Mandee brought in a great post-work out summer treat, fresh watermelon! Everyone left sore but had big smiles on their faces, certainly proud of what they achieved.

If you are interested in getting that same sense of achievement, come out to the second round of Spin Boot Camp on Tuesday, July 2^nd at 9:30 a.m.

We hope to see you all there!

The Gang at RiverWinds

RiverWinds has another fun week of Summer

RiverWinds had a very busy week this past week. June 18^th was filled with creativity: both kids and adults engaged their artistic sides with Duct Tape Art and the Flip Flop Wreath Workshop, respectively. There were many colorful creations of different varieties. The kids who attended the Duct Tape Art made wallets, bouquets of flowers, and phone cases, while the adults walked out with their extravagant flip flop wreaths. 

Two days later, RiverWinds hosted the 14^th annual Project Graduation for West Deptford High School’s class of 2013. The new alumni enjoyed donated food, moon bounces in the gyms and a hypnotist! The celebration wrapped up with a Chinese auction of donated items, everything from gift cards to a flat screen TV were won by many lucky individuals! RiverWinds is proud of the class of 2013 and was more than happy to host Project Graduation yet again.

To wrap up this busy week the RiverWinds StreetFEST Concert Series took place on Friday, June 21^st with the Sensational Soul Cruisers. It was another beautiful night with great music and food. If you were unable to make it don’t worry! Next Week’s Concert will feature 2U and Almost Journey!

Keep reading our blog every week to hear about what is going on at RiverWinds. Better yet, come out and experience all that we have to offer!

The Gang and RiverWinds

The Sixth Annual Hermit Crab Races Were a Success

On Wednesday, June 12^th, RiverWinds once again hosted the popular Hermit Crab Race! The kids ran to get a good spot in line to pick their favorite hermit crab. It was an exciting atmosphere with great sportsmanship as the kids cheered on their little hermit crabs to race to the finish line. There were three different squares and the winner from each square then raced each other for the grand prize of a signed Phillies bag by Ryan Howard, a hermit crab cage with accessories,and Disney DVD The Road to El Dorado.

There were many close races, especially in the final race! All three hermit crabs made their way to the finish line, and the kids - and even the parents! - were getting excited to see who would win. The race was neck and neck between the winner from Squares Two and Three. One last burst of energy determined the winner, a young girl named Nora.  At the end of the Races, the kids took their turn congratulating the winner and were excited to bring home their new pets.

We’re looking forward to our next  youth program coming up, Duct Tape Art, on Tuesday, June 18^th @ 6:00 p.m.  This program is for any kid ages 6 – 11 years of age. They can make duct tape wallets, flowers, or they can get creative and come up with something on their own. There are many duct tape colors to choose from or kids may opt to just stick with classic silver. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Gang at RiverWinds

Upcoming Youth Programs

RiverWinds Youth Programs are in full swing this June! On Wednesday, June 12^th at 7:00 p.m., we are thrilled to present the Sixth Annual Hermit Crab Races! The kids can come and pick out their favorite hermit crabs to race them to the finish line. If that is not exciting enough, after the race, you can take your chosen hermit crab home with you – so don’t forget to bring a container! The cost is $7.00 for RiverWinds members and $11.00 for non-members. The Hermit Crab Races are limited to the first 85 children ages 3 and over who sign up, so don’t wait too long! Sign up now by making a trip to the front desk or calling 856-251-0990.

Check back next week to see how the Hermit Crab Races turned out and see who won!

A few short days after the Hermit Crab Races will be the Craft of the Month: Duct Tape! On Tuesday, June 18^th at 6:30 p.m., kids and parents can come in and make anything from wallets to flowers – or use their imaginations and make something unique out of duct tape! There will be a variety of colors for each project, including original silver. A fee of $10.00 for members and $15.00 for non-members is payable at the Front Desk.

We can’t wait to see you!

The Gang at RiverWinds

ICED TEA MONTH IN THE LOBBY

Did you know June is Iced Tea Month? RiverWinds wants you to celebrate Iced Tea Month by stopping in the lobby and sampling our fresh brewed teas! For the rest of June, we will feature a different type of tea each week:  June 10^th to June 14^th will offer green tea, June 17^th to June 21^st will offer Acai Berry Tea, and June 24^th to June 28^th will offer Orange Black Tea.

Come grab a small cup and pick up some flyers with some sweet summer tea recipes.

Tea is an incredible addition to your daily diet due to all of the health benefits that tea provides. It remains a pleasant after workout refreshment with health benefits ranging from slowing down the aging process to great cardiovascular health. There will also be flyers out on the table telling our members all about the health benefits of each tea served

We look forward to seeing you in our lobby! :) 

The Gang at RiverWinds

RiverWinds Kicks Off Summer with Session 3!

All of your favorite fitness programs and more are being offered this session, which runs from May 19^th to July 6^th.  Some of the more popular programs being offered are Senior Stretch on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:50 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Zumba on Mondays at 5:45 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:35 a.m. These classes fill up quickly and multiple members are regulars.  Miriam Reichenbach says Senior Stretch is “one of the best classes offered for those of us who want to move around easier with arthritis”. Senior Stretch also improves coordination and agility while reducing stress, improving overall health.

Keep an eye out for our newest fitness class, Body Shock! This class is taught by one of our best trainers, Brent. Body Shock is a total body workout that has a mix of strengthening exercises with cardio and core intervals. The best part about this class is that all fitness levels are welcome!

There are a lot of exciting new youth programs, as well as arts and crafts, coming up in the month of June.  If you want to get in touch with your creative side, try the Pick-A-Piece of Ceramic Bisque Ware Workshop! You can enjoy painting and applying different glaze techniques on assorted pieces such as bowls, plates, vases, and more. In the spirit of the summer season, you can make a flip flop wreath and/or a sea glass frame, as well.

If you are looking for a nice family activity, bring your kids to the sixth annual Hermit Crab Races on June 12^th at 7:00 p.m. Kids pick out their favorite hermit crab and race them to the finish line. After the race is over, you get to take home your chosen hermit crab. Don’t forget to bring something in which to carry him hone! Finally, with Father’s Day coming up, we have a youth program that helps kids make a wonderful gift for their Dads: the craft is a surprise so you will not know what it is until you get to the class!

And, Parents! We all know how hard you work, and sometimes you just need a night out without the kids. Why not drop your children off at RiverWinds for a special night for you and them? The children and our Child Care staff will participate in activities and games, or a night of movies with snacks, so you will not have to worry about anything but having a blast with each other!

Keep an eye out for all these events on our Facebook as well as our website. Keep checking back for updates!

See you at the Facility!
The Gang at RiverWinds

February in Action

Valentine's Day is behind us and we're looking backward at another great Presidents Weekend at the 'Winds. We hope our members, residents, and guests are able to remember this February with as much sweetness as we have!

Classes have been fun - and filled - with projects like Duct Tape Art keeping our kids busy and Parents' Night Out keeping kids and Mom and Dad social, as well! Underwood Memorial Hospital was here conducting free blood pressure screenings last week, and the township youth basketball program wrapped up last night.

Now, we're looking ahead! Discover SCUBA returns on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., and the clay pottery series also kicks off on Thursday, this time at 1:00 p.m. Our ceramics workshop will be held on Monday the 25th, as will the orientation for Open Water SCUBA. The Super Class Pass is down to $120 for UNLIMITED classes between date of purchase and December 31st and swim lessons have geared up for the year. Always busy!

We've seen some absolutely incredible rentals in the Community Room this winter, with our personal favorite being the Finding Nemo Baby Shower, coincidentally held while Blizzard Nemo hit New England! Just another fine example of how many styles and themes our multi-purpose room can support for your special event.

Winter isn't quite over yet, either, so keep an eye out for Twitter and Facebook updates regarding inclement weather updates. You can also always call our automated telephone service at 856-251-0790 for information regarding our hours.

If you are looking for a class or workshop that we don't offer, let us know! We'd love to hear your ideas. Email info@RiverWinds.org or call 856-251-0990 with suggestions.

We look forward to seeing you at the facility!

The Gang at RiverWinds Wants to Hear from YOU!

Where do you get your information? Facebook, The Patch, a local print newpaper? Do you follow our Twitter feed or look at on-line news calendars for updates on special events? Is RiverWinds.org a website you check often? We want to make sure we're reaching you as directly and as efficiently as possible, so fill us in! Where do you want to find all your RiverWinds news? Tell us at info@RiverWinds.org!

Session 1 information will be posted by Wednesday, January 30th, and If the new schedule will start Sunday, February 3rd. In the mean time, the January Pass is down to $10 and the Super Class Pass has dropped to $130: that's all the classes you can take, land and water, between now and 2/3/13 and 12/31/13, respectively! Other options for classes include signing up for each session individually or paying $6.00 to drop in. No reason to skip that workout!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and a RiverWinds membership is an awesome gift. Gift cards are available at the front desk in any denomination.

If you're not sure if the facility is open due to inclement weather, call 856.251.1410 for the automated answering service. You can also check our Facebook at www.facebook.com and our Twitter at www.twitter.com/RiverWinds.

Speaking of social media, if your West Deptford Township non-profit has a Twitter, Facebook, blog, or website, please let us know! We'd love to help promote you!

Check back soon for the new Spring schedules. In the mean time, we'll see you at RiverWinds, your place for Family, Fun, and Fitness!

This the Halloween Season

A big thanks to all the West Deptford businesses, civic organizations, and residents who participated in this year's Scarecrow's on Parade! We loved how they dressed up RiverWinds Drive...and the deer loved the gourds. ;-) This one, made by the West Deptford Township Princesses, was awesome! Scarecrows are hosted by and support the West Deptford Historical Association. Questions? Contact the West Deptford Free Public Library!

A friendly reminder, West Deptford Township will employ an 8:00 p.m. curfew on October 30th and 31st.

Spookypalooza is only eight days away! Get the kids, the costumes, and the autumnal spirit and head over to the 'Winds at 5:30 p.m. on the 30th. We can't wait to share in this year's new activities! Got pictures? Email them to MaskaA@RiverWinds.org...we love freshening up our online sites with your images!

And, yeah, it's early...but the Holiday celebration is on our radar, too! Friday, December 14th at 6:00 p.m., kids of all ages can enjoy Santa, the Elf's Craft Workshop, and more! Don't miss our 11th Annual Christmas extravaganza!

The Session 6 booklet will be posted online within the next couple of days, so keep an eye out. Lots of new and exciting programs for our members, residents, and guests are ready and waiting. Don't miss your favorites...or the chance to try a few new things, too!

Just a heads up, our RiverWinds blog will be taking a bit of a hiatus thru the end of the year. Occasional postings may be made but we look forward to starting up again in the new year fresh and raring to go!

A few reminders...

We're still looking for motivated, creative college upperclassmen to apply for our 2013 Spring internship. Contact Mandee Casey at 856.251.0990 x105 or email KernM@RiverWinds.org for details or to apply. An incredible opportunity awaits the right individual, as does FREE facility membership for the duration of the semester!

We're still accepting a limited number of non-resident memberships! Did you know residents in good standing can sponsor a new family? Check out www.RiverWinds.org for details!

As ever, we look forward to seeing you and yours at the facility!
The Gang at RiverWinds

 

We're Back!

Welcome, 2013!

After a brief hiatus, our blog is back! We look forward to giving you the inside scoop this year and presenting some incredible opportunities to our members, residents, and guests.

So far, we can see that your New Year's Resolutions were serious this January! The Fitness Floor is exploding and we're seeing some incredible turnout in our group ex classes. The January Pass has dropped to only $10 - all the land and water classes you can take throguh February 2nd - and the Super Class Pass - all the land and water classes you can take through the end of the year - is only $130. A fantastic value! Have you purchased yours?

Session 1 is starting on Monday, February 4th, and the big question on everyone's mind is...can I sign my child up for swim lessons? And the answer is, yes! Members can check out the new schedule on RiverWinds.org, and enrollments can be made in person at the Front Desk or over the phone using a Visa or Mastercard.

Have you seen the two gorgeous bald eagles who are nesting over by the cove? Our staff has named them Ozzie and Harriet, and these two beauties have taken to playing over our Community Wing. If you happen to snap a photograph of our new favorite couple, send us a copy at info@RiverWinds.org, we'd love to post it to our Facebook and Twitter pages!

SPIN4Gia, a spin ride benefitting a local little girl with cancer scheduled for February 17th, has SOLD OUT. Our residents are absolutely INCREDIBLE when it comes to giving back and supporting their own. We're thrilled to be able to help this family during a rough time but most importantly are heartened to see positive progress and spirit in Gia. Questions about wait lists and future rides can be directed to Mandee Casey at KernM@RiverWinds.org.

We continue to seek motivated, creative college upperclassmen for our Fitness and Communications internships. A flexible schedule, unlimited potential in the arenas of sports, marketing, and public relations, and a free membership for the duration of the semester are only a few perks to this fantastic program! Check out the details at www.RiverWinds.org and click on the INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY link to the left.

The entire 2013 SCUBA calendar is also online at www.RiverWinds.org and we hope you check it out. Only 24 days into this new year and we're into the dozens of members, residents, and guests who've given this adventure sport a try. That's right, you don't have to be a West Deptford resident or RiverWinds member to sign up! We've also done a little homework and we're the cheapest cert in town! Why not get your feet wet?

There's all this and lots more coming your way from RiverWinds. Your place for Family, Fun, and Fitness!