How do you invest your time on Saturday mornings? Does it involve an excessive amount of shut-eye, an ungodly amount of Captain Crunch Berries, and watching cartoons?

If you answered yes to one or all three questions, you may not be as energetic as senior Josh Huff, who serves as the instructor of the aquatics department at the Northeast Family YMCA. On Saturday mornings Huff is hard at work teaching three- to five-year-olds basic swimming techniques.

“I’ve been here (the YMCA) all my life. You could say I’m a ‘Y-baby,’” Huff said.

Huff begins teaching his first lesson at 8:30 a.m. and does not stop until 2 p.m.

“It can be stressful at times,” Huff said, “but the connection between me and the kids is something that no other job can offer. It’s one of the best feelings in the whole world.”

“Josh is great with the kids and is really fun to work with,” co-worker Diana Wilkinson said.

Teaching swimming techniques is just one aspect of his job. There is also a strong emphasis on teaching good character.

“We focus a lot of our activities around caring, honesty, respect and responsibility,” Huff said. “This is something they can take outside of the swimming class and use in their day-to-day lives.”

As another lesson ends and another group of children enter the swimming pool, Huff effortlessly passes on his kind words of encouragement and wisdom to the youth.

“It’s not just another job,” Huff said. “These people are a part of my family.”