Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Receives Generous $10,000 Gift from CITGO Lemont Refinery

No matter who you are, or what neighborhood you grew up in, the Y is a place for anyone who needs us. From summer camp to college prep, family events to team building sports programs, we give everyone the opportunities they need to feel like they belong. And as a non-profit, community-based organization, the Y relies on the generosity of its members and the support of charitable giving to provide services and financial assistance for children, adults and families in Will County and Grundy County. 

That is why the Greater Joliet Area YMCA would like to thank the CITGO Lemont Refinery, which recently provided a $10,000 donation in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, helping ensure that nobody is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here. To show your support by making a donation, please click here. 

Pictured in top photo (left to right):  CITGO Lemont Refinery Community Relations Advisor Mike Jostes, Joliet Community YMCA Junior High Care Director Alana Bailey, Joliet Community YMCA Before & After Care Director Tori Dutkiewicz, and CITGO Lemont Refinery Fixed Equipment Inspector Bob Phelan.

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100 Years, 100 Minutes: YMCA Announces Centennial Health and Wellness Challenge

As the Greater Joliet Area YMCA continues our Centennial Celebration in 2026, we want to give members a chance to help mark this incredible milestone with a special health and wellness challenge.

Here’s how the challenge works:

-Participants will register online and then receive a tracking sheet to log their weekly workouts.

-Participants will need to complete 100 minutes of exercise per week for 5 weeks between August 31-October 4.

-Whether you try a group fitness class, complete a personal training session, swim laps in the pool, or take a jog on the treadmill, your workout counts!

-Participants will return their completed sheets by the end of the day on Sunday, October 4.

-One winner from each branch will be drawn to earn a special prize of 3 free months of membership.

The deadline to register is Friday, September 4.

Cost: $25 Open to Facility Members ONLY

Dive in and be part of our centennial celebration!

REGISTER TODAY

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Take Advantage of the YMCA’s 2026 Fall Swim Lesson Sale

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to announce a Fall Swim Lesson Sale!

Save $7 when you register for Fall 1 swim lessons from August 7-17.

Offer valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Open to Facility Members and Community Members. Some restrictions may apply.

Use promo code: SWIMFA1 when registering online. You can also call your local branch to reserve your time slot:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
(815) 267-8600

Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 West Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450
(815) 513-8080

Village of Shorewood YMCA
1801 West Jefferson Street
Shorewood, IL 60404
(815) 744-3939

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Working Together to Make Your Y Better: Summer Spruce Up 2026

Each summer, we take time to thoroughly clean and enhance our facilities so that our members can have an enjoyable experience throughout the year. As always, you are welcome to use any of our three YMCA facilities during Summer Spruce Up. Please be sure to call ahead to verify hours and to ensure the amenities you would like to use will be open during your visit. Additionally, when visiting any of our YMCA branches during Summer Spruce Up, please remember to bring your Membership Tag. Please be sure to check out our Spruce Up Group Exercise Schedules by clicking here or by using the YMCA On the Go App.

We very much appreciate your continued patience as we work to spruce up your Y! Full details on Summer Spruce Up activities can be found below:

2026 SUMMER SPRUCE UP SCHEDULE
August 9-23

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA will be closed on Sunday, August 23 while the floors in the lobby are cleaned and waxed. We apologize for the inconvenience.

FAMILY POOL
Closed beginning on Sunday, August 9
Reopening on Monday, August 24

The Family Pool will be drained and receive a deep cleaning. Additional repairs will also be completed.

KIDS CORNER AND THE ACTIVITY CENTER
Closed beginning on Thursday, August 13
Reopening on Saturday, August 15

Both rooms will be treated to a deep cleaning, and all toys will be sanitized.

PRESCHOOL ROOM
Closed beginning on Thursday, August 13
Reopening on Monday, August 17

The Preschool Room will be treated to a deep cleaning, and all toys will be sanitized.

GYMNASIUM AND INDOOR TRACK
Closed beginning on Tuesday, August 18
Reopening on Monday, August 24

Half of the Gym will also be closed from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on August 13 and 14. The Gym will be treated to a deep cleaning, and the floors will be refinished.

LOCKER ROOMS, PRIVATE CHANGING ROOMS, SAUNA, AND STEAM ROOM

These spaces will be closed intermittently during Spruce Up to allow ample time for deep cleaning, painting, and repairs. Closings will be posted in the building and on our Facebook page.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
In addition to the improvements listed above, all areas of the building will be treated to a deep cleaning.

Morris Hospital YMCA

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S LOCKER ROOMS
Closed beginning on Monday, August 17
Reopening on Wednesday, August 19

The Locker Rooms will receive a deep cleaning. During these closures, the Private Changing Rooms will be open for member use.

PRIVATE CHANGING ROOMS
Closed beginning on Wednesday, August 19
Reopening on Thursday, August 20

The Private Changing Rooms will receive a deep cleaning. During this closure, the Men’s and Women’s Locker Rooms will be open for member use.

GYMNASIUM AND INDOOR TRACK
Closed from 5 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday, August 20

The Gym will be treated to a deep cleaning.

WELLNESS CENTER
Closed from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday, August 21
Reopening on Saturday, August 22

The Wellness Center will be treated to a deep cleaning.

FITNESS STUDIO
Closed from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday, August 21
Reopening on Saturday, August 22

The Fitness Studio will be treated to a deep cleaning.

KIDS CORNER AND THE ACTIVITY CENTER
Closed beginning on Saturday, August 22
Reopening on Monday, August 24

Both rooms will be treated to a deep cleaning, and all toys will be sanitized.

LAP POOL
Closed beginning on Sunday, August 23
Reopening on Monday, August 24

The Pool will receive a deep cleaning.

COMMUNITY ROOMS AND THE SAUNA
These spaces will be closed intermittently during Spruce Up to allow ample time for deep cleaning and repairs. Closings will be posted in the building and on our Facebook page.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
In addition to the improvements listed above, all areas of the building will be treated to a deep cleaning.

Village of Shorewood YMCA

LAP POOL
Closed beginning at noon on Saturday, August 8
Reopening on Monday, August 10

The Pool will be closed for repairs.

FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
All areas of the building will be treated to a deep cleaning. Certain areas of the facility may be closed intermittently during this time to allow ample time for cleaning and repairs. Closings will be posted in the building and on our Facebook page. We apologize in advance for the inconvenience.

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Joliet Community YMCA Volunteer Spotlight: Summer Day Camp Volunteer Kendall Love

YMCA Summer Day Camp not only offers an amazing learning experience for the campers visiting our seven camp locations, it also opens up leadership opportunities for local high school students through our Summer Camp Volunteer Program. By assisting camp staff with day-to-day activities, summer camp volunteers learn important life skills and help enrich the quality of our camp offerings.  

Among this year’s summer day camp volunteer contingent is Joliet Central student Kendall Love. Kendall is no stranger to the Y, as she previously participated in a wide range of YMCA programs herself including Kid Zone, Teen REACH, and of course, summer day camp. This summer, Kendall has had the opportunity to serve as a volunteer at our Salvation Army camp location. You can learn more about Kendall in the Q&A below. 

Q: Why did you choose to volunteer with summer day camp this year?

The reason I wanted to volunteer was because I really like kids and I want to be a school teacher. I knew the YMCA helps kids and I knew it could help me do what I want to do in the future.

Q: What do you enjoy most about volunteering at the Y?

I love playing games with the kids. Especially sharks and minnows. I also love helping organize the supplies and then helping the kids figure out what they want to do.

Q: What is something you have learned from this experience? 

You have to take your time and be down to earth in order to get kids to understand why you are asking them to do something. You have to try and put yourself in their shoes. Some of the kids need a little more help than others and you need to understand that. Whether we’re working on a craft, or explaining the directions on something that might be confusing, you can step into their shoes a little more and help them.

Q: What does the Y mean to you?

I feel like the Y has always been there for the special times in my life. I’ve been going to the Y since I was little, and I’ve made so many friends here. I grew up here and now I really enjoy volunteering here. A lot of staff I would call my family now. It’s created a lot of special memories. 

We are so thankful for the volunteer efforts of students like Kendall and we know it has been another amazing summer day camp season at the Y. 

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Join the YMCA Blue Tides Masters Swim Team

Are you looking for a new workout routine and the camaraderie of a team environment? The YMCA Blue Tides Masters Swim Team is your perfect opportunity!

Designed for adult swimmers, ages 18 and up, who are looking to improve their swimming endurance and technique, the Masters Swim Team offers a fun team experience for participants of all swimming backgrounds and abilities. From novice swimmers to former college competitors, all are welcome and encouraged to join in on the fun!

PRACTICES

The YMCA Blue Tides Masters Swim Team practices year-round at:

C.W. AVERY FAMILY YMCA

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 5-6 a.m. and 6-7 a.m.

Sundays: 7-8:15 a.m.

VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD YMCA

Mondays and Wednesdays: 6-7 a.m.

Fridays: 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Participants must be YMCA Facility Members. In order to participate in competitive meets, swimmers must join U.S. Masters Swimming. Register online by clicking here. When registering be sure to enter ‘Joliet Blue Tides (JBT)’ as your group.

BENEFITS OF JOINING U.S. MASTERS SWIMMING

Join U.S. Masters Swimming today and take your swimming to the next level. Year-round benefits include:

-Technique and training advice in SWIMMER magazine, STREAMLINES newsletters, and at usms.org

-Access to a vast workout library that features seven workouts for every swimming level

-The ability to participate in USMS pool, open water, or virtual events

-Exclusive discounts from partners

-The ability to link your account with Swim.com and analyze your workout or race information

-A digital community to connect with coaches and members nationwide

-FUN social interaction with like-minded adults and much more

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about the Blue Tides Masters Swim Team, please contact:

C.W. AVERY FAMILY YMCA

Coach Marcie via email at [email protected]

VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD YMCA

Coach Jenny via email at [email protected]

Or visit the team’s Facebook group by searching ‘YMCA Blue Tides Swim Team.’

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