November 14, 2008 

HRCA Press Release - YMCA 

by:  Kelly Butler 

(919)533-4139 

kelly@hawriverchristian.org 

HRCA and Chatham YMCA Partner in PE Classes 

After its doors opened in early September, Haw River Christian Academy and the 

Chatham YMCA teamed up to offer weekly physical education classes to its 

students.  The YMCA’s fitness program successfully complements HRCA’s 

classical Christian curriculum, which caters to students’ growing minds and 

bodies through rigorous academics, exposure to the arts, spiritual development, 

and physical wellness.  

The YMCA proposed the idea to the school this Summer.  When asked what 

inspired it, Jennifer Sipe, Youth Program Director, said, “The Chatham YMCA is 

interested in helping children be healthy and what better way than offering PE 

classes to the Academy.”  The school immediately welcomed their proposal.  

Amanda Sparks, Grammar School Principal, expressed, “We were enthusiastic 

and appreciative to learn of the YMCA's interest in becoming a part of our school 

through this service.  Being a new school, our resources are definitely limited, 

and to have a local Christian organization get involved is truly an answered 

prayer.”

 

In regards to the logistics of the program, Sipe explained, “The class will be 

learning all the basics of physical fitness along with some age appropriate motor 

skills.  We will be playing freeze dance, bombardment pins, speedball, scooter 

soccer, to name just a few.  We also hope to teach them that playing games, 

sports, and being active is fun!” 

In addition to physical fitness, the YMCA’s involvement complements the 

philosophy of HRCA’s role in ministering to Christian families.  “In every Y 

program we teach the core values of caring, respect, honesty, and responsibility.  

In addition to our core values we will be teaching the importance of eating 

healthy and making exercise a part of their daily lives,” commented Sipe.  These 

life lessons tie into HRCA’s biblical worldview teaching, which is integrated into 

all subjects.  Sparks explained,  “God created our bodies so that we may do His 

work.  All of our efforts in life are to be directed towards His glory, even exercise.   

In addition, some of our students will naturally be gifted in athletics; these gifts 

need to be nurtured as God can use us in so many different arenas here on 

earth.” 

As a new school with a limited budget and minimal resources, HRCA embraces 

the community’s efforts, such as the Chatham YMCA, to support it.  Additionally, 

Rock Spring Baptist Church’s lease of their education wing and the school’s 

teachers, staff, and volunteers, who wholeheartedly believe in its vision and 

goals, all contribute to it being a successful education option in Chatham County. 

HRCA currently offers kindergarten (half-day) through grade 2, with plans to add 

one grade per year until serving K-12.  Weekly tours are available and may be 

scheduled with the school office, 919-533-4139.  More information is also 

available on the school’s web site, www.hawriverchristian.org.