MENDOTA – Sometimes you’ll hear, “There is nothing to do in Mendota.”

Well, whoever said it, must not have looked at a Mendota YMCA calendar.

Mendota YMCA Branch Manager, Stephen Donnell, YMCA Assistant Manager Omar Espinoza, and the YMCA staff make sure there is plenty to do in multiple areas.

“This is the beginning of the height of our program season. It’s a lot of phone calls and getting things set,” Donnell said. “With a young staff, college kids coming back, trying to get them the hours they ask for and keep them involved. It’s not just myself and Omar. We had several of our staff working on the golf outing.

“It’s great and exciting to have more people involved in each of our programs from year to year. There are a lot of kids and adults who want to be involved in something. Our soccer league exploded last year. There were five men’s teams last year and we’ll have six teams this year, while the women will have 4-6 teams.

“It’s so much fun. It’s fun to watch and they have fun playing.”

The Mendota YMCA 5v5 Soccer League runs June 14-July 26 at the Mendota Area Youth Soccer League fields at Lake Mendota. Women play at 5 p.m. on Fridays and men play at 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Players, fee is $45 each, have to be 16 years old or older, there is a max of 12 players per team and any subs not on the roster must pay $15 extra fee and wear a jersey.

The Summer Adventure Camp is going on right now, June 2-July 4. From 8:30-10:30 a.m. Monda through Thursday, kids ages 4-12, will enjoy camp activities and games at the Lake Mendota West Pavilion.

Summer Adventure Camp is $100 for a YMCA member and $140 for a non-member. The deadline to register is June 5, but there is a $15 late registration fee.

The YMCA partners with the Mendota Elks Lodge for the Elks Soccer Shoot. This year, the kids will take to the MAYS fields from 9 a.m.-noon June 7 and June 14. The winners will compete at Elks State Soccer Shoot in Springfield on October 4. Fill out the registration form at the Mendota YMCA.

A men’s softball league is kicking off this year with play from 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays from June 26-July 31 at the Lake Mendota Softball Field. The league is $45 per player 18 years or older. There is a minimum of nine players per team and a maximum of 15 players per team. The registration deadline is June 20.

And don’t forget about the second annual pickleball tournament taking to the court during the Mendota Sweet Corn Festival the second weekend in Augus.

All program registration takes place at the Mendota YMCA, call 815-538-2900 or the QR code on fliers through the Mendota YMCA Facebook page.