Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Endless Possibilities: Discover the Joy of Aquatics Movement with the YMCA’s New Adaptive Water Fitness Program

Dive into a world of possibilities with the Y’s Adaptive Water Fitness program, where every splash counts and every stroke is a step towards confidence, independence, and a healthier lifestyle. This new water fitness program is designed for individuals of all abilities, ages 13 and up, who may benefit from an alternative form of movement.

The Y’s Adaptive Water Fitness program is open to YMCA Facility Members and the community, so we encourage you to invite your friends and family to join along. Registration is required.

Together, let’s make a splash and unlock new opportunities in the water!

Dates:

Sunday, September 15
Sunday, October 13
Sunday, November 10

Time:
11-11:30 a.m.

* Families are welcome to extend their visit at the Y and participate in Open Swim, which will begin in the Family Pool at noon.

Cost:
YMCA Facility Member Families: Free
Community Member Families: $10 Per Family

REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions please contact Cindy Moss at (815) 267-8600, ext. 228 or by email at [email protected].

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My Y Rewards Special September Earnings Event

Fall is a season of change and now is the perfect time to rejuvenate your health and wellness routine with a little inspiration from the YMCA! Our special My Y Rewards September Earnings Event will help you build healthy habits and stay focused on achieving your fitness goals!

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members enrolled in the My Y Rewards program will receive 100 bonus rewards points if they check in at the Y at least 15 times in the month of September.

Learn how to enroll by clicking below.

ENROLL TODAY

Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll also earn points each time you check-in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, you’ll earn your first 50 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

If you should have any questions or any feedback on the My Y Rewards Program, please be sure to stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit or email [email protected].

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Celebrating a Successful 2024 Summer Camp Season at the YMCA

Our 2024 Summer Day Camp season, which was generously sponsored by CN, officially came to a close last week. It was another incredible experience for everyone involved!  

We’d like to thank all of our camp families for spending the summer with us here at the YMCA. We hope you have a wonderful school year and look forward to seeing you back at camp next year.

We’d also like to thank all of our wonderful community partners who opened their doors and their hearts, allowing us to provide much-needed summer child care at locations throughout Will and Grundy Counties. 

Finally, we’d like to thank our top-notch summer camp team for their endless energy, compassion, and creativity. Your hard work and tireless dedication helped to ensure that each of our campers had a summer full of fun and adventures.

As we take a look back at the summer that was, let’s take a closer look at YMCA Summer Camp By the Numbers:

8 Camp Locations

With a little help from our friends, we hosted camp at each of our YMCA facilities and at offsite locations throughout the community. Thank you, Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center, Joliet Junior College, Saratoga School District 60C, Plainfield School District 202, and Valley View School District 365U for helping us serve kids in our community this summer.

1,220 Campers

We are so proud to provide a memorable camp experience for each and every one of our amazing summer day campers. 

215 Counselors

Summer day camp would not be possible without the dedication, versatility, and inspiring leadership of our Summer Camp staff team.

39 Summer Day Camp Volunteers Contributing 2,100 Volunteer Service Hours 

Student volunteers from local high schools as well as volunteers from the Catholic Charities of Joliet were a pivotal resource during summer day camp as they provided assistance to Y staff, ensuring campers participated in a wide range of learning opportunities.

63 Field Trips

We were thrilled to help our campers go on exciting adventures! Whether it was a trip to the movies, a visit to the zoo, or enjoying a day at an amusement park, our campers got the chance to explore the community and make memories!

More than $80,000 raised by the YMCA’s Send a Kid to Camp Campaign 

At the Y, nobody is ever turned away due to the inability to pay. Nearly half of the children who attend YMCA summer day camp programs receive financial assistance, and this is made possible by the incredible generosity of YMCA donors. This spring, our Send A Kid to Camp Campaign supporters generously funded more than 1,700 days of camp for children in our community.

We look forward to seeing you next summer. Camp registration for the summer of 2025 will get underway in March!

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YMCA Member Spotlight: Adam Brown’s Y Story

Adam Brown has been a member of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA for more than 15 years and, if there is one thing those in the Y community know about him, it’s how much he loves to swim. 

“Swimming is my thing. I swam in high school. I swam in college. Now I swim at the Y five days a week,” he said. 

In addition to serving as a way to stay healthy, swimming has also played a role in allowing Brown to help others, like he did on a recent family vacation to Ocean City, New Jersey. 

“On our first morning there, my wife and I went down to get a cup of coffee on the boardwalk. We were sitting at a table during breakfast and all of the sudden you could hear screaming down by the beach,” Brown said. “I knew the lifeguards who normally patrol the area weren’t on duty yet, so my instincts kicked in.” 

Brown rushed to the shore and noticed that a family was stuck on the other side of a rock formation where a riptide had formed. 

“When I got out there, three of the four family members were starting to recover, but the 12 year old daughter was still well out in the ocean. I climbed down the rocks and jumped in the water,” he said. 

Brown swam roughly 500 yards to reach the girl and, with the assistance of two surfers who also joined the scene, helped keep her above water until rescue workers arrived to take her back to the beach.

“In total, the entire episode took 15 minutes. Even though I swim regularly, and have completed triathlons, I was completely gassed,” he said. “In fact, once I got out there, I realized that I had put myself in danger too. I just knew I had the ability to help.” 

Brown said the incident was a reminder of the precautions families should take every time they are planning activities around water.

“I think this can be a learning experience for any parents and kids out there. Regardless of the environment you are in, you should always think about safety first,” he said. “Strong swimmers, those who swim all the time and even train year-round, can get into trouble. There is a reason you should never swim at beaches that are unguarded. Know your limits.”

Facilities, Aquatics, and Risk Operations Director Cindy Moss reiterated the importance of learning from real life experiences.  

“We’re so proud of Adam and we hope his example can play a role in raising water safety awareness,” Moss said. “The Y is always here for our community, and we have the programs and services to support swimmers of any age or skill level.” 

Having returned home safely, Adam is happy to be back swimming in the pool at the Y.

“I’ve always been somebody who is looking out for everyone around me and I know that’s the way it is for so many others here at the Y. It’s a comfortable environment and a safe environment. This is the kind of place you want your family to be.” he said.

With the outdoor swimming season coming to a close and fall just around the corner, now is the perfect time to utilize the YMCA! As the nation’s leading swim lesson instructor, the Y  can help your family learn the skills they need to stay safe when they are in and around water. Sign up for fall swim lessons today by registering online or by contacting your local branch.

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Community Happens Here: Join the Y for Exciting Fab 50 Events and Programs This Fall

August 21 is World Senior Citizen’s Day and the Greater Joliet Area YMCA wants to celebrate by letting you know about the wonderful lineup of events and programs seniors can enjoy this fall at our Y branches!

Senior Health and Wellness Fair
Festivities will promote healthy living and connect area seniors with a variety of resources in the Plainfield area. Stop by for raffles and giveaways, complimentary refreshments, and more!
Date: Wednesday, August 28
Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Cost: Free and open to the community

Fab 50 Adventures: Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Get rowdy, snap those fingers, and clap your hands for this unique show that will get you rockin’ and ready to dance! Please join us on a trip to Starved Rock for great music and a high-energy stage show. This rock and roll show will include favorites from Bobby Darin, Neil Diamond, Dean Martin, and more from the 50’s and 60’s! Lunch and transportation is included.
Date: Tuesday, October 29
Time: 9:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location: Departure from the C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Cost: $80, open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Adventures: Ocean’s Rat Pack at the Jacob Henry Mansion
This is the ultimate tribute group devoted to the music of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. performed by Tony Ocean, Bill Serritella, and Elliot Wimbush. Lunch consist of BBQ glazed pork chop served with chef’s choice potato and vegetable with an upgraded dessert. Transportation is not included. 
Date: Thursday, November 7
Time: 10:45 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: 
20 S Eastern Avenue
Joliet, IL 60433
Cost: $60, open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Fab 50 Game Day
Join us for an afternoon of board games, fellowship, and refreshments.
Date: Friday, September 13
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Luncheon and Musical Bingo
Join us for a delicious lunch followed by musical bingo. This will be a fun exciting day filled with food, fun and fellowship. Invite a friend!
Date: Friday, October 25
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Thanksgiving Jeopardy
Bring your ‘A’ game for this fun trivia challenge! Lunch will also be provided.
Date: Friday, November 15
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Walkers
Exercise the easiest way, with a group of your closet friends! Program is weather permitting.
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:15-9 a.m.
Location: Various, meet at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Cost: Free and open to the community

Fab 50 Social Hour
Join this social group that meets weekly for fun and fellowship.
Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m-12 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community

Galowich Family YMCA

Fab 50 Brunch Bunch
Join us for a special morning of food, fun, and fellowship!
Dates: Friday, September 27 and Friday, November 22
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Crafters
Enjoy an afternoon with fellow Y members and friends while making crafts. All craft supplies will be provided.
Date: Wednesday, October 9
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Wild West Hoedown
Put on your best country outfit and dancing shoes because the Galowich Family YMCA is inviting the community to a Wild West Hoedown! Join us for an afternoon of dancing and fun with entertainment provided by the Blue Rocket Band!
Date: Friday, October 25
Time: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: $15, open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Bingo
Try your luck in a fun group atmosphere!
Date: Wednesday, November 20
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Potluck
Bring your favorite dish to share!
Date: Wednesday, December 11
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Intro to Pickleball
Invite a friend and join us for a game or two of this popular, new paddle sport designed for players of all skill levels.
Dates and Times:
Tuesdays (6-7:30 p.m.)
Fridays (10:15-11:45 a.m.)
Cost: Free for Facility Members/$5 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

Morris Community YMCA

Fab 50 Walkers
Come join us for an outdoor walk! Program is weather permitting.
Date and Time: Tuesdays, 9-10 a.m.
Location: Various, meet at Morris Community YMCA
Cost: Free for Facility Members/$5 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

Pickleball
Invite a friend and join us for a game or two of this popular, new paddle sport designed for players of all skill levels. No class Monday, September 4th Labor Day.
Dates and Times:
Mondays and Wednesdays (10-11:30 a.m.)
Tuesdays and Thursdays (6:30-8 p.m.)
Location: Shabbona Middle School Gym
Cost: $30 for Facility Members, $60 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

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Meet C.W Avery Family YMCA Before and After Care Director Lori Barrie

This week marks the start of the 2024-2025 school year and the Y is ready to once again welcome students into our before and after school Kid Zone program! Before and After Care Director Lori Barrie is starting her first year at the helm of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Kid Zone program in Plainfield School District 202. We are so excited to have Lori on the Y team. You can learn more about her in the Q&A below!

Q: How did you get involved with the YMCA’s Kid Zone program? 

I have been with the Y’s before and after school team for more than seven years. My journey began as a counselor at Eichelberger Elementary School and I later became a site supervisor for the schools in the northern portion of the district. I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to visit and get to know students, parents, and counselors throughout the years, and I’m so happy to get started as the director of this wonderful program! 

Q: Why do you have a passion for youth development work?

Working with children is an amazing experience. My goal is to provide children with a safe, fun, and rewarding learning environment, making a positive impact on their lives each and every day.

Q: What do you think makes YMCA Kid Zone a special experience for kids? 

I think the sense of community and family that we create at our Kid Zone sites makes it special. We also offer a variety of crafts, STEM projects, games, and physical activities that we know create well rounded learners. 

Q: With the new school year officially underway, what are some of the most exciting activities you have planned for the months ahead? 

Each month, we base our curriculum around a core character development theme. Our first theme is ‘Relationship Building,’ so we are incorporating different activities for kids to start building positive relationships with their classmates and counselors. We are also excited to have guests from the Plainfield Library visiting sites for reading activities, and the games and themes we have planned for our Fun Fridays are always a favorite activity for our students!

Q: What are your favorite things to do outside of the Y? 

My favorite thing to do outside of the Y is to spend time with my family.  We enjoy exploring new places on walks and hikes. I am also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and love attending games and watching them on TV!

If you are interested in joining our Kid Zone staff team, visit our Employment Opportunities page or apply online today. 

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