Waukegan YMCA hosts 'Halloween at the Y' Oct. 28

Northern Lake YMCA is offering an evening of family-oriented, Halloween-themed fun on Friday, Oct. 28. “Halloween at the Y” takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lake County Family YMCA's Waukegan facility, 2000 Western Ave.

For this “spooktacular” event, the gymnasium is being transformed into a Halloween-themed Family Double Dare obstacle course, which families will have to work together to complete.

Another highlight is the “Mad Scientist Lab” craft room featuring activities such as face painting, pumpkin decorating, and experiments that ooze and bubble. There'll also be interactive scary story telling in a bat-cave setting designed to captivate children of all ages.

A scarecrow contest will end up helping the needy. Donated clothing will be used by participating families to create scarecrows that will then be judged during the event. Afterward the articles of clothing will be given to Goodwill. To facilitate this, donations of used clothing are being accepted at the Lake County Family YMCA facilities in Waukegan and Vernon Hills, 700 Lakeview Parkway.

The kids won't go away empty-handed. Healthy treat bags -- containing such things as fruit snacks, apple juice box, water and trinkets -- will be handed out to show that nutrition and trick-or-treating can go together.

Halloween at the Y is offered free of charge to Lake County Family YMCA members. There is a $10 fee for community families.

All Lake County Family YMCA programs are designed to encourage the four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. For more information, or to register, visit the Welcome Center at either the Waukegan or Vernon Hills Y or call (847) 367-6797.

The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1892 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our association is comprised of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills, Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan and Early Head Start in Waukegan.