Promotions & Events

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 18 or 25 or Thursday, Aug. 13 and 2, between 9am-noon

The YMCA of Laurel Highlands and Laurelville Retreat Center have teamed up to provide community stand-up paddle board (SUP) lessons on five mornings beginning Aug. 11, 2020.

Learn to safely mount, paddle, re-board, and maneuver a SUP in Laurelville’s safe, crystal clear pool and become comfortable with the sport before tackling an event on a lake on your own.

Cost is $15 per person for a 30-minute session for up to two people. Participants must pre-register through the YMCA at 724-547-9622 and choose a preferred date of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 18 or 25 or Thursday, Aug. 13 and 20. Organizers will confirm specific time slots between 9 a.m. and noon.

Life vests and SUP will be provided to each participant. The minimum age is 8 and those under 18 must have a guardian present. Pool depth is 0-4 feet.

SUP Lessons benefit YMCA and Laurelville programs. The YMCA also offers 1.5 hour adult stand up paddle board sessions at Greenlick Run Lake on select Friday mornings and Tuesday evenings. Cost is $15 for YMCA members and $20 for non-members.

SUP lessons at Laurelville and Greenlick sessions are both open to the public.

Laurelville’s new pool is centrally located on the camp’s 600 acres at 941 Laurelville Lane, Mt. Pleasant Township. The public may swim from 12-3 p.m. and 4–7 p.m. daily by calling 724-423-2624 to reserve a place.

Questions? Contact Erica at 724-547-9622 or erica.davis@ymcalh.org or Mary at Laurelville at 724-423-2056 or mary@laurelville.org.

Friday, Aug. 14 at 7pm AND Thursday, Aug. 27th, 6:30pm

Join us for a relaxing sunset yoga class in this beautiful, unique outdoor setting high atop the county. These one-hour classes will be led by Find Your Fire Fitness Instructors, Robin Albright and Bre DeMott (RYT 200), respectively. The classes will be specifically sequenced for all-levels. Beginners and seasoned practitioners are welcome! Class will conclude with a soothing guided meditation. Cost is $15. 

Must pre-pay by calling 724-423-2056 from M-F,  8:30am-4:30pm or by purchasing a ticket for Aug. 14, 2020, here 

or for Aug. 27, 2020, here. Enjoy the scenic view and meditation in the labyrinth prior to yoga class.Spaces are limited. Please bring your own mat. Fruited water will be provided.

Physical distancing will be observed and restrooms will be available on grounds for participants. Either drive up and park right atop sunset Hill or park on grounds at the Solarhouse and walk the 12-ish minutes for an extra cardio warm up before class. In case of rain, we’ll move to our two-story gymnasium where three walls open to invite the trees to become our walls. Co-sponsored by Find Your Fire Fitness in Mt. Pleasant.

Sunday, Sept. 13-Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020

Always wanted to bike the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage)? We’ll be leading a bicycle trip September 13-19, 2020. Save the date and email mary@laurelville.org to request details on available commuter and overnight packages.

What’s involved in Biking the GAP?

Tour 100 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage on your bicycle and discover its history, culture and natural beauty. Learn history dating back to the 18th century along the trail and absorb the beauty and charm of Pennsylvania’s most traveled bike route.

A 5-day, 150-mile trip from Cumberland, Maryland, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Great Allegheny Passage is described as “the ride of your life”, and for good reason. The trail is comprised of fine crushed limestone and never ascends or descends beyond a 2% grade, making it a terrific bicycle trail for experienced and more recreational cyclists alike. The gorgeous scenery and trail culture found on the Great Allegheny Passage are treasures you simply must discover and enjoy.

Return to Laurelville or a local hotel after each day’s ride for an evening of rest and relaxation.

How far will we ride each day?

Rides cover 30 to 40 miles per day. 

How strenuous is the trail?

The Great Allegheny Passage runs on an old railroad route, meaning that the average grade is never more than 2% (a 2% grade means you ascend or descend 2 vertical feet over the course of 100 linear feet of riding). The trail is comprised of crushed limestone, a relatively fast surface.

Our initial ascent out of Frostburg is the most difficult stretch of riding, but once cyclists reach the Continental Divide outside of Deal, PA, the trail is almost entirely a gentle downhill or flat grade.

Do I need my own bike?

While it’s preferred that you bring your own bike, bicycles are also available for rent (by prior arrangement only, please).

What kind of bike/tires are recommended?

The Allegheny Trail Alliance recommends using either a mountain bike or hybrid bicycle (cross between mountain and road bicycle) to enjoy your ride on the fine crushed limestone surface. For experienced cyclists who prefer to use their road bikes, we suggest you use wider tires. Kevlar tires have proved to be useful in avoiding flat tires.

It’s also important to find a seat that will be comfortable for longer periods of riding.

What bicycle accessories do I need to bring?

We ask that you bring two spare inner tubes that will fit your bicycle tires. While flat tires aren’t commonplace on the trail, they do occur from time to time and we cannot provide spare inner tubes to match the tire sizes of all our participants. It’s also recommended that you travel with your own tire repair kit.

We will provide additional tools for seat adjustment, tire alignment, etc.

Friday, Aug. 14 at 7pm AND Thursday, Aug. 27th, 6:30pm

Join us for a relaxing sunset yoga class in this beautiful, unique outdoor setting high atop the county. These one-hour classes will be led by Find Your Fire Fitness Instructors, Robin Albright and Bre DeMott (RYT 200), respectively. The classes will be specifically sequenced for all-levels. Beginners and seasoned practitioners are welcome! Class will conclude with a soothing guided meditation. Cost is $15. 

Must pre-pay by calling 724-423-2056 or by purchasing a a ticket Aug. 14 on Facebook at this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2737457753203061/ or for Aug. 27, here. Enjoy the scenic view and meditation in the labyrinth prior to yoga class.

Spaces are limited. Please bring your own mat. Fruited water will be provided. Physical distancing will be observed and restrooms will be available on grounds for participants. Either drive up and park right atop sunset Hill or park on grounds at the Solarhouse and walk the 12-ish minutes for an extra cardio warm up before class. In case of rain, we’ll move to our two-story gymnasium where three walls open to invite the trees to become our walls. Co-sponsored by Find Your Fire Fitness in Mt. Pleasant.