Boot Camp

Rise and shine Determined souls take themselves to fitness boot camp - early By KEVIN CLAPP kevinc@herald-mail.com "...Get this party started, right no-" WHAM! Alarm clock silenced. The day - ugh - begins at 5:15 a.m. In the minutes before six o'clock, sunshine a mere promise in the pre-dawn shadows, 16 men and women slowly lumber into the Gold's Gym step aerobics room on Pennsylvania Avenue in Hagerstown. CONTINUED Bundled up in sweatpants, running tights and jackets, the ragtag crew rumbles to life by stretching hamstrings and quadriceps, arms and legs.

A program called Boot Camp for Dads will be held at the Rhonda Brake Shreiner Women's Center in Summit Health Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month. Veteran dads, accompanied by their two- or three-month old babies, will orient rookie dads on the realities of fatherhood. According to information from the center, classes will focus on: Caring for babies, particularly when they are crying; Caring for new moms, particularly when they are crying; Working your regular work week with no sleep; and Dropping a diaper into a trash can at 40 feet.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - First-time expectant fathers get together with experienced dads and their babies in an innovative new program that helps to prevent child abuse and increase father-child bonding, according to Carol Ann Baran, program coordinator for the Rhonda Brake Shreiner Women's Center. Boot Camp for Dads was started by a father in California who needed support, then came up with the curriculum, she said. The U.S. military, as well as hospitals around the country, use the program, she said.

CLEAR SPRING -- An exercise program that started out for teachers during the summer break three years ago has not only grown in scope but in popularity. Called "boot camp" by the organizers, the outdoor class is described as a fun and challenging total body workout that can burn up to 600 calories a session. "I have always wanted to help people," said Sheila Kurtz, the instructor of the six-week program, which offers 18 sessions for participants. Kurtz, a certified personal trainer, has a degree from Frostburg State University in exercise and sport science.

By LISA GRAYBEAL Staff Writer, Chambersburg SOUTH MOUNTAIN, Pa. - A 17-year-old boy with just two weeks to go in the Abraxas Leadership Development Program escaped over the weekend from the boot camp for troubled youth, police said. The boy was on a camping trip with his platoon at Michaux State Forest in Greene Township when he fled, police said. Pennsylvania State Police and officials from Abraxas believe the white male, dressed in a white T-shirt, camouflage fatigues and black boots, drove off in a pickup truck sometime Saturday night.

By MARLO BARNHART Staff Writer A 17-year-old Hagerstown boy may become the first from Washington County to "enroll" in the new Challenge Military Youth Corps. Last month, the youth admitted he was involved in a Feb. 1 robbery of a man on Selema Drive - a robbery in which he displayed a handgun in his waistband. Detained since then at the Noyes Center in Rockville, he was back before Washington County Circuit Judge John H. McDowell Wednesday for final disposition.

Remember kids, crime doesn't pay. Except in the state of Maryland, where justice officials have agreed to pay 900 former juvenile delinquents $4 million to compensate for the fact they were routinely beaten up at Western Maryland "boot camps. " The boot camps were supposed to reform the kids by instilling them with discipline, work ethics and hard physical challenges. Hard physical poundings were not supposed to be part of the formula, but apparently guards in the Allegany County camps had their own ideas about reform, and some of the kids ended up with broken teeth and bones.

ANNAPOLIS - He can hardly believe it, but in a month Kevin de Ronde will be a dad. Like any soon-to-be parent he's super excited, but also a little apprehensive. How will it all shake out? What about day care? What about romantic life after baby? "I have so many questions," says de Ronde of Pasadena, Md. "Right now, I'm even wondering how we're going to get to the hospital in time. " He smiles at the thought of the not-arriving-at-the-hospital-in-time scenario, but there's also real worry in his voice.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Chambersburg YMCA, 570 E. McKinley St., will offer the following classes: o 18 movement qigong, an ancient exercise that balances the body and mind together. o Interval challenge, small group training using exercise stations. o Spin fit and strong, 30 minutes of spinning and 30 minutes of strength training. o Corepole, delivering strength, cardio, flexibility and stability providing full-body conditioning. o Half marathon boot camp, fee includes boot camp T-shirt, body-fat analysis, fitness testing and entry fee for half marathon and race T-shirt.

HAGERSTOWN -- The workout could have been called pumpkin iron. You carved away the calories -- and the only piece of exercise equipment required was a pumpkin. It was the second annual Freaky Fat Loss Boot Camp, benefiting the United Way of Washington County. Held Saturday in the gymnasium at Girls Inc., the hour-long program attracted about 30 people. Although it was optional, most brought along a workout buddy -- a pumpkin. Addie Nardi, director of resource development for the local United Way, said the fundraiser was the idea of Chad and Kat Smith of Home Team Fitness.

John “Jack” Henry Stouffer, 84, of Cheyenne, Wyo., died March 2, 2013, in Cheyenne. He was born Aug. 27, 1928, in Hagerstown, Md., to Robert F. and Margaret V. Stouffer. In September 1944, at age 16, he enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marine and attended boot camp at Sheepshead Bay, N.Y. After boot camp, he served as a wiper in the firefighter rooms aboard the S.S. Gulf Wax, S.S. Ponca City and S.S. Ephraim Brevard, in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Middle East and Pacific war zones, all during World War II. In July 1945, he separated from the Merchant Marine, and in November 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a boilermaker aboard the U.S.S.

Boonsboro Boot Camp Holiday 5K Burpee Dash will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at Lee Daugherty Fitness Training LLC, 69 S. Main St., Boonsboro. Event begins with 25 burpees followed by three 1.03 mile loops. Participants will stop after each 1.03 mile loop and complete 25 Burpees. Event totals a 5K run and 100 burpees. Google "burpees" for exercise demo. All proceeds will benefit Church Nursery Incorporated, a nonprofit pre-school located in Hagerstown. No race day registration will be accepted.

Using their fingers or plastic forks, dozens of people invited to South Hagerstown High School on Wednesday tasted a variety of potential new menu items as the county school system moves toward offering students healthier foods that use fresher ingredients. Most of the items were new, such as a curried chicken wrap and Asian vegetable noodle lettuce wraps, and others were an attempt at a healthier version of existing dishes offered at schools, said Jeff Proulx, supervisor of Food and Nutrition Services for Washington County Public Schools.

Shawn Johns of Spinning the Tunes DJ Service will provide discounted DJ services to Pre-school Nursery Inc. to raise funds for a new playground. The party will be a superhero/princess-themed event, and children are encouraged to dress as their favorite character. The event will take place Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. at 17805 Oak Ridge Drive in Hagerstown. Admission costs $5 per child and donations are appreciated. A raffle will be held and tickets can be purchased for a $1 a chance.

A ceremony was held recently for Master Sgt. Kevin D. Washington of Hagerstown, who retired from the military after 28 years as a Marine. Washington is the son of Eleanor Hosby of Martinsburg, W.Va., and the late Walter D. Washington. Washington graduated from North Hagerstown High School in June 1982. He attended boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., in August 1982 and graduated in November 1982. Washington’s personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat “V” and Gold Star in lieu of second award and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Fahrney-Keedy Home & Village BOONSBORO - Nola Blowe recently was hired as administrator at Fahrney-Keedy Home & Village. Blowe has worked in the long-term care field for 12 years and most recently worked at Devlin Manor in Cumberland, Md. She also has spent time as a dietary department manager, in a business office, in human resources and as an administrator. Blowe received a degree in health care management from West Virginia University. RE/MAX Achievers of Hagerstown The following people recently joined the staff of RE/MAX Achievers: Clark Hoover has been in real estate for four years.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Chambersburg YMCA, 570 E. McKinley St., will offer the following classes: o 18 movement qigong, an ancient exercise that balances the body and mind together. o Interval challenge, small group training using exercise stations. o Spin fit and strong, 30 minutes of spinning and 30 minutes of strength training. o Corepole, delivering strength, cardio, flexibility and stability providing full-body conditioning. o Half marathon boot camp, fee includes boot camp T-shirt, body-fat analysis, fitness testing and entry fee for half marathon and race T-shirt.

Christmas shopping can be a stressful ordeal, especially if you have no idea what to get those hard-to-shop-for people. If you have people on your list who are into fitness, or have resolved to be into fitness next year, gifts that support their goals are going to be more appreciated than yet another sweater or Santa necktie. Here are three fit Christmas gift ideas that are guaranteed to be a hit with your active or soon-to-be-active loved one. Giving the gift of fitness is literally like giving years of life and longevity.

HAGERSTOWN -- The workout could have been called pumpkin iron. You carved away the calories -- and the only piece of exercise equipment required was a pumpkin. It was the second annual Freaky Fat Loss Boot Camp, benefiting the United Way of Washington County. Held Saturday in the gymnasium at Girls Inc., the hour-long program attracted about 30 people. Although it was optional, most brought along a workout buddy -- a pumpkin. Addie Nardi, director of resource development for the local United Way, said the fundraiser was the idea of Chad and Kat Smith of Home Team Fitness.

o Read more Jamie Shekels columns at washingtoncountyliving.com Labor Day Parents of Washington County students, please note the following: There will be no prekindergarten classes Friday, Sept. 4. Schools will be closed Monday, Sept. 7. in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Arts fest Hagerstown City Park will host its annual Autumn Arts Festival Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will include Appalachian-style music, craft vendors, food and tours of the Jonathan Hager House.