Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Bringing Our Community Together: Dancing Through the Decades at the Galowich Family YMCA

Put on your best outfit and dancing shoes because the Galowich Family YMCA is inviting the community to take a journey in time through music and moves. Join us for an afternoon of dancing and fun with entertainment provided by The Blue Rocket Band!

Date: Friday, May 23
Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Cost: $20

REGISTER TODAY

Registration closes on Wednesday, May 14.

LUNCH MENU:

Chicken Salad Sandwich
-All-butter croissant, roasted chicken, celery, grapes, creamy dressing

Potato Salad
-Diced potatoes, crisp celery, hard-boiled eggs, onions, creamy dressing

Fresh fruit and a sweet treat

Lunch will be provided by Nan’s Catering and Home Cooking!

If you have any questions about this event, or would like to be an event sponsor, please contact Health and Wellness Director Alissa Koenig at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 335.

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Offering Lifeguarding and Lifeguarding Instructor Courses This Spring

You’re in good hands when you learn lifeguarding at the Y. We have been an industry leader in aquatic safety for more than 100 years, and we are excited to host multiple spring courses to help new and experienced lifeguards hone their skills in preparation for the summer. All course certifications are valid for 2 years.

AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARDING COURSE
The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over.

Prerequisites:

  • Must be 16-years-old or older.
  • Must be able to complete a swim a continuous 150-yard swim, two minutes of treading water without the use of hands, followed by an additional 50-yard swim
  • Must complete a timed swim to retrieve a 10-pound object from under 7-9.5 feet of water.

PLEASE NOTE: Participants who fail to complete the swim test will receive a 50% refund. Attendance at every class is mandatory. No refunds will be given to participants who miss classes or who are unable to meet testing requirements at the end of the class successfully.

Location: C.W Avery Family YMCA (Includes Water Park Option)
Dates and Class Times: Saturday, March 29 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.), Sunday, March 30 (9 a.m-3 p.m.), Monday, March 31 (9 a.m-5 p.m.)
Cost: $250 for Facility Members/$300 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

Location: Galowich Family YMCA
Dates and Class Times: Tuesday, May 20-Friday, May 23 (3-7:45 p.m.), May 24 (8 a.m.-2:45 p.m.)
Cost: $250 for Facility Members/$300 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR/TRAINER RECERTIFICATION COURSE
The Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer Recertification course is designed to help existing Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructors (LGI) and Instructor Trainers (LGI/T) renew their certifications by reviewing course knowledge and skills. This course is required to maintain certification and is available exclusively through blended learning.

PLEASE NOTE: To enroll in this course, you must already hold the appropriate Lifeguarding Instructor or Instructor Trainer certification.

Location: Galowich Family YMCA
Date and Class Time: Friday, April 18 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Cost: $110 for Facility Members/$115 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

Location: C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Date and Class Time: Friday, May 2 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Cost: $110 for Facility Members/$115 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions please contact Facilities, Aquatics, and Risk Operations Director Cindy Moss at 815-267-8600, ext. 228 or by email at [email protected].

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Save During the YMCA’s 2025 Spring Sports Leagues Sale

When kids play sports, they do more than just exercise. Besides being physically active, they develop higher self-esteem, perform better in school and work better in groups.  Youth sports programs at the YMCA teach kids the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Above all, kids who participate in YMCA youth sports have a lot of fun!

YMCA Spring Sports Leagues Sale
March 21-24

Families that register for a YMCA spring sports league during our four day sale will SAVE $10!

Use promo code: LEAGUES25 when registering online

PLEASE NOTE: Valid at all Greater Joliet Area YMCA locations. Limit one per member, per league. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Some restrictions may apply.

Learn more about spring sports leagues available at your local Y branch by clicking below:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football, T-Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball/Player Pitch Baseball, and Soccer
REGISTER ONLINE

Galowich Family YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football
REGISTER ONLINE

Morris Hospital YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football and T-Ball/Pinto Baseball/8U Softball
REGISTER ONLINE

If you have any questions, please contact:
Maria Freeh, Sports Director
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217

Zach Jarosz, Sports Manager
Galowch Family YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 317

Chris Interial, Sports Director
Morris Hospital YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514

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My Y Rewards Special March Earnings Event

DOUBLE THE FUN FITNESS CLASSES 

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your health and wellness routine with YMCA group fitness classes. And now, My Y Rewards members will have double the fun exercising during our Special March Earnings Event!

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members, ages 16 and up, enrolled in the My Y Rewards program will receive double rewards points for every group fitness class they attend between March 17-23!

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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Morris Hospital YMCA Recognized with Partnership Award

The Morris Hospital YMCA, alongside its partners from Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers and the City of Morris, were recently recognized by the Grundy Economic Development Council (GEDC) and the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce with the ‘Partners of the Year Award.’ Presented at the GEDC and Chamber’s annual dinner on March 5, the award recognized the collaborative efforts amongst the Y, the Hospital, and the City to bring the first full-facility YMCA to Grundy County. The Morris Hospital YMCA opened its doors to serve the community in December 2024.

Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair led a group of YMCA staff on hand to accept the award alongside Morris Advisory Council Chair Kevin Olson, City of Morris Mayor Chris Brown, and Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers President and CEO Tom Dohm.

“The Y would like to thank the GEDC for this incredible honor,” Leclair said. “We know that all the great things that happen every day at the YMCA would not be possible without strong community partnerships. Morris Hospital and the City of Morris have shown an amazing dedication to supporting the Y as we begin a new chapter of serving our community with this facility.”

The Morris Hospital YMCA represents the largest fundraising effort in the history of Grundy County and is now home to more than 6,000 YMCA members. Located just west of Morris Grade School on Dupont Avenue, the new 60,000-square-foot YMCA features an eight-lane lap pool, gym, a state-of-the-art wellness center, a group exercise studio, cycling studio, healthy eating kitchen, and engaging youth play spaces.

To learn more about the new Morris Hospital Y, click here or stop by today! 

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Celebrate Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is so excited to celebrate Healthy Kids Day at each of our branch locations! Each site will feature fun educational activities and active play to keep kids moving and learning, helping them maintain healthy habits and academic skills to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Healthy Kids Day events are free and open to the community.

GALOWICH FAMILY YMCA 
Friday, April 25
5:30-7 p.m.

In addition to participating in a fun series of health and wellness activities, attendees will also gain entrance into special raffles. Prizes include Y swag and a free month of membership.

Gym
Kids will be able to participate in sports demonstrations like flag football, basketball, and pickleball throughout the evening and get the chance to play in our inflatable bounce house!

Fitness Studio
Get your heart pumping with a family friendly bootcamp class circuit!

Lap Pool
Dive in for open swim and water safety education activities. Swim lesson evaluations will also be available.

Innovation Center
Stop by for healthy snack making as well as art and writing class demonstrations.

Staff will also lead tours of the wellness center where teens can learn about wellness center certification. YMCA partners and local organizations will be on hand to provide families with important information.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required and children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register all individuals that will be in attendance.

If you have any questions about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, please contact Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 315.

MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA
Saturday, April 26
10:30 a.m.-Noon

Stop by the Y and enjoy:

-Health and wellness demonstrations with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
-Games and activities for kids including an inflatable bounce house in the gymnasium
-A family group fitness class
-Arts and crafts

And so much more!

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required and children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register all individuals that will be in attendance.

REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, please contact Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 513

C.W. AVERY FAMILY YMCA 
Saturday, April 26
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Stop by the Y and enjoy:

-An energetic family fitness class
-An interactive gardening demonstration
-Crafts to help support mindful breathing
-Fun in our bounce houses
-Swimming in the Family Pool from Noon-1 p.m.

And so much more!

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required and children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register all individuals that will be in attendance.

REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, please contact Youth and Family Director James Wagner at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 234

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