Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

You are here: Home / JCY

Save During the YMCA’s Summer Sports, Specialty, and Preschool Camp Sale

In addition to summer day camp, the YMCA offers a variety of sports, specialty, and preschool camps each summer. And now is the perfect time to register during our sports, specialty, and preschool camp sale!

REGISTER AND SAVE

Save $5 when you register for a summer sports, specialty, or preschool camp between April 24-27. Use promo code: CAMP5OFF when registering online. Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Some restrictions may apply.

Learn more about available programs by clicking below.

SPORTS CAMPS (Offered at locations in Plainfield, Joliet, Morris, and Shorewood)

SPECIALTY CAMPS (Offered at locations in Plainfield, Morris and Shorewood)

PRESCHOOL CAMPS (Offered at locations in Plainfield, Morris, and Shorewood)

SHARE THIS:

Join the Y During Our 2026 Tax Day Sale

JOIN THE Y ON TAX DAY AND SAVE!

During the Y’s 2026 Tax Day Sale, new and alumni members will pay a $15 Joiner’s Fee, a savings of up to $105.

Valid only on Wednesday, April 15 at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA branch.

CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544

Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450

Village of Shorewood YMCA (Opening, Monday April 27)
1801 W. Jefferson Street
Shorewood, IL 60404

OUR FACILITY MEMBERS ENJOY:

Access to Amenities Including:

  • Three indoor pools and our family aquatic center, all fully programmed with activities for the entire family, including family swim time, swim lessons, aquatic fitness programs and lap lane access.
  • Three wellness centers, all equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment.
  • Free fitness orientations and daily group exercise classes (programs vary by location).

Quality Programming
In addition to our free group exercise classes, the Y offers year-round swim lessons, sports programs and personal training, among a slew of other options.

Child Care
If you have a Family Membership, you can drop your child(ren) off at our supervised playroom while you exercise.

So Much More
A complete list of member benefits can be found here.

SHARE THIS:

YMCA Kid Zone Registration for the 2026-27 School Year Opens for Facility Members on April 11

We know that learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings. The way your children spend time outside the classroom can make a big difference in their personal development and your family-life balance.

That is why the Y is excited to partner with area school districts to offer our Kid Zone youth enrichment program at schools throughout Joliet, Plainfield, Morris, Shorewood, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, and Seneca

Kid Zone provides a safe place for children to keep their mind and body active while learning social skills and positive values. Our caring professionals are committed to helping kids build confidence and character.

Through guided play, children learn to respect themselves and others, work out their differences and discover the value of true friendship, all while in a safe and nurturing environment. Academic support from caring role models enriches your child’s educational experience and enables families to spend more quality time together.

Registration for the 2026-27 school year opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 11 for Facility Members and at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 for Community Members!

REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE

Sign your child(ren) up for Kid Zone by Monday, April 27 and pay a $0 registration fee, a savings of $50!

To learn more about the Kid Zone Program, click here.

SHARE THIS:

Joliet Community YMCA Set to Offer Inaugural Summer Youth Basketball League

The Joliet Community YMCA’s Junior Wolves program, offered in partnership with Joliet Junior College, is excited to offer an inaugural summer youth basketball league in 2026.

Open to all skill levels, this is a co-ed, developmental league that will provide players an opportunity to learn and grow their basketball skills throughout the summer.

LEAGUE DATES

Practices start the week of June 15. Games start the week of June 22. No practices or games will be held the week of June 28-July 4.

All games and practices will take place at the Joliet Junior College Event Center Gymnasium on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (no weekends).

Teams will play 5 games.

LEAGUE DIVISIONS

  • Grades 3-4 (Co-Ed)
  • Grades 5-6 (Co-Ed)
  • Grades 7-8 (Co-Ed)

Cost: $80, open to the community

REGISTER TODAY

To learn more, please contact:
Zach Jarosz, Sports Director
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. 317
Email: [email protected]

YMCA youth sports programs maximize the positive effects of athletics by emphasizing healthy competition and promoting teamwork. The Y focuses on the life lessons that can be learned from sports, and our coaches strive to instill a positive self-image in each player.

SHARE THIS:

Helping Kids Stay Safe in the Digital Space: Greater Joliet Area YMCA Leads Five Days of Action

In today’s connected world, kids are spending more time in the digital space than ever – learning, playing, and communicating. With that comes the need for vigilance and awareness. 

That’s why Greater Joliet Area YMCA is taking part in the Five Days of Action®, a national movement to protect children from abuse and promote safety in all spaces where kids live, learn, and play. This year’s theme focuses on digital safety, empowering families with tools to help children navigate technology responsibly and safely. 

In 2026, the Y has partnered with Praesidium, National Center for Exploited and Missing Children (NCMEC), Lauren’s Kids, and National Children’s Alliance to offer additional resources for parents and caregivers. You’ll find all the partner resources below. To join the movement or sign the pledge, visit fivedaysofaction.org. 

Recognizing Red Flags 

Certain behaviors can signal risk for child sexual abuse and understanding them helps you act early to keep kids safe. The infographic below shows what to watch for—whether the behavior may be low, moderate, or high risk—and these behaviors, or grooming, can show up both in person and online situations.

Recognizing Red Flags

Visit nationalchildrensalliance.org/the-real-red-flags-of-grooming for more information on red flag behaviors from National Children’s Alliance. 

Staying on Top of Digital Trends 

From apps to gaming, staying on top of digital trends can be overwhelming. NCMEC offers free resources to help trusted adults understand online risks—including sextortion and the growing use of generative AI—and talk with kids about staying safe. Check out the tip sheets below and be sure to explore the other NCMEC resources.

Generative AI Safety (English) 

Sextortion Safety (English) 

Sextortion Safety (Español)

Monitoring Digital Use 

Did you know 1 in 5 children who use a digital device will be sexually solicited online? Technology changes fast, and kids are targeted on the apps, games, and sites they love. Having a Cyber P.L.A.N., monitoring device use, and teaching online safety rules can help keep your child safe. Lauren’s Kids has provided the following resources by age group to help you learn how to set boundaries, teach good cyber habits, and protect your family online. 2026 Five Days of Action® Toolkit Page 8 

Kindergarten-Grade 2

Grades 3-5

Middle School

High School 

Spanish-Language Cyber P.L.A.N. Resources for Families

We take our commitment to child protection seriously and we hope you do too.

SHARE THIS:

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Spring Sports League Registration Extended Through April 6

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.

And now, due to popular demand, the registration period for YMCA spring sports leagues has been extended through Monday, April 6!

PLEASE NOTE: Families who register after April 6 will be subject to a late fee. Fees vary by league. Uniforms will not be guaranteed by the first game for players registered after April 6.

Facility and Community Members from all Greater Joliet Area YMCA branches are welcome to participate at all league locations. 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

Joliet Community 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 Director
Joliet Community YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 317

Kaeli Ford, Sports Director
Morris Hospital YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 523

SHARE THIS:

United Way