Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Celebrating a New Beginning at the Village of Shorewood YMCA

Join us for a special moment of pride and celebration as the YMCA hosts a Flag Raising Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 27, at the new Village of Shorewood YMCA, located at 1801 W. Jefferson Street.

During this meaningful ceremony, volunteers from the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad will raise the American flag for the very first time at the new facility.

Community members and YMCA members alike are invited to gather near the flagpole for this brief outdoor ceremony, which will take place rain or shine.

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Village of Shorewood YMCA Set to Host Community Open House on May 2

The Village of Shorewood YMCA, located at 1801 W. Jefferson Street, will host an Open House from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. Open to the community, this fun-filled event will provide YMCA members and area residents with the opportunity to explore the new YMCA facility, meet the staff team, and learn more about the wide range of programs and services available to the community.

Invite your family and friends and make your plans to join us for this exciting celebration, which will include:

Facility Tours
Take a tour of our state-of-the-art facility, which features an eight-lane lap pool and sauna, a wellness center, group exercise and cycling studios, a gymnasium, basketball and pickleball courts, indoor and outdoor walking tracks, engaging youth play spaces, multi-purpose rooms, an outdoor playground, and fields for summer camp and youth sports programs.

Program Demonstrations
Learn more about our health and wellness, aquatics, youth development, and youth sports programs.

Meet our Team
Meet the Village of Shorewood YMCA team, who will be on hand to answer your questions and help you get started on your YMCA journey.

Family Fun
Join us for activities throughout the facility:

Activity Center
Arts and Crafts- Friendship Bracelets

Kids Corner
Arts and Crafts, Storytime, and Sing-Alongs

Ron Galowich Community Room A
Light Refreshments and Snacks

Jerry Galowich Community Room B
Face Painting and Coloring Time

Youth Program Room
STEM Activities

Gymnasium- Side 1
Youth Sports Program Demonstrations

1-1:20 p.m.
Basketball Skills

1:30-1:50 p.m.
Floor Hockey

2-2:20 p.m.
Dodgeball

2:30-2:50 p.m.
Soccer

3-3:20 p.m.
Kickball

3:30-3:50 p.m.
Pickleball

Gymnasium- Side 2
Bounce House Fun

Group Exercise Studio
Health and Wellness Program Demonstrations (Ages 13 and up)

1-1:20 p.m.
Group Active

1:30-1:50 p.m.
Zumba

2-2:20 p.m.
Line Dancing

2:30-2:50 p.m.
Zumba Step

3-3:20 p.m.
Yoga

Special Offers and Giveaways
Take advantage of special membership opportunities, raffles, and giveaways. Plus, the first 1,500 adults who attend the Community Open House will receive a free commemorative T-shirt, while supplies last.

Make your plans to join us!

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JETS Swim Team Set to Host Clinic at Village of Shorewood YMCA

One of the area’s most historic youth swimming clubs, the Joliet Y JETS Swim Team is a year-round competitive swim program that offers instruction and training for swimmers ages six and up. Swimmers learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and goal-setting while developing their competitive swimming skills. The JETS Swim Team supports the YMCA’s mission of building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities, and our professional team of coaches strive to not only build strong swimmers but caring, honest, respectful and responsible children and young adults.

This is a great opportunity for families to learn more about the JETS and to meet our team and coaching staff. Throughout the clinic, coaches will be evaluating swimmers and will be available to answer questions about the team, which will begin swimming at the Village of Shorewood YMCA during the Spring 2026 season. A YMCA membership is not required to participate in the clinic.

Date: Saturday, May 9
Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY

To learn more about the JETS, please contact:

Dave Hedden
Director of Competitive Aquatics
[email protected]

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Village of Shorewood YMCA Invites Members to Participate in Opening Sampler Programs

We are so excited to welcome the community to the Village of Shorewood YMCA! If you are looking to explore all of the amazing things kids, families, and adults can do at the Y, we invite you to participate in our upcoming sampler programs!

PLEASE NOTE: These events and activities will be FREE and are open to Village of Shorewood YMCA Facility Members and Shorewood Resident Program Members only.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

YOUTH FITNESS
Classes will provide opportunities for children and teens to learn health and wellness routines and exercises.

Junior Strength Training
Dates: Tuesday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 12
Time: 5-5:30 p.m.
Ages: 9-14
REGISTER ONLINE

Kid Fit
Dates: Wednesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 13
Time: 5-5:30 p.m.
Ages: 4-8
REGISTER ONLINE

Fast Twitch Fitness
Date: Monday, May 11
Time: 5-5:30 p.m.
Ages: 9-14
REGISTER ONLINE

YOUTH SPORTS
Classes will provide children and teens with opportunities to learn and practice their skills in various sports.

Basketball Skills & Drills
Date: Tuesday, May 5
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Ages: 6-14
REGISTER ONLINE

Preschool Dodgeball
Date: Thursday, May 7
Time: 10-10:45 a.m.
Ages: 3-5
REGISTER ONLINE

Floor Hockey
Date: Thursday, May 7
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Ages: 9-11
REGISTER ONLINE

Preschool Basketball
Date: Monday, May 11
Time: 10-10:45 a.m.
Ages: 3-5
REGISTER ONLINE

Volleyball
Date: Thursday, May 14
Time: 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Ages: 6-11
REGISTER ONLINE

Dodgeball
Date: Tuesday, May 19
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Ages: 11-13
REGISTER ONLINE

INTRO TO SWIM LESSONS
Participants will complete baseline testing to establish the best starting level for their first lesson!

Date: Tuesday, May 5
Time: 10:10-10:40 a.m. – Stages 2P, 3P, and 4P (Ages 3-5)
Time: 10:50-11:20 a.m. – Stage 1P (Ages 3-5) and Stage 1Y (Ages 6-12)

Date: Thursday, May 7
Time: 5:10-5:40 p.m. – Stages 1P and 2P (Ages 3-5), Stage 3Y and 4Y (Ages 6-12)
Time: 5:50-6:20 p.m. – Stages 3P and 4P (Ages 3-5), Stages 1Y and 2Y (Ages 6-12)
Time: 6:30-7 p.m. – Stages 1P and 2P (Ages 3-5), Stages 5Y & 6Y (Ages 6-12)

Saturday, May 9
Time: 10-10:30 a.m. – Stages A and B (Ages 6 months-3 years), Stages 3Y and 4Y (Ages 6-12)
Time: 10:40-11:10 a.m. – Stages 3P and 4P (Ages 3-5), Stages 1Y and 2Y (Ages 6-12)
Time: 11:20-11:50 a.m. – Stages 1P and 2P (Ages 3-5), Stages 5Y and 6Y (Ages 6-12)

REGISTER ONLINE

ADULT PROGRAMS 

Open to ages 16 and above except where noted

INTRODUCTION TO LAP SWIMMING
This class will help you learn fundamental techniques for exercise and competition.

Date: Saturday, May 2
Time: Noon-1 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, May 12
Time: 7-8 p.m.

REGISTER ONLINE

SQUAT RACK CONFIDENCE
This small group training class is designed for beginners who want to learn how to lift the bar with proper form and confidence. Led by a trainer, you’ll be guided
through the fundamentals of technique, safety, and alignment.

Date: Tuesday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 12
Time: 6:30-7 p.m.
REGISTER ONLINE

BELLY DANCE
A YMCA dance instructor will help participants learn choreography to a specific song and become more confident through dance! No previous experience needed.

Date: Wednesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 13
Time: 6-6:30 p.m.
REGISTER ONLINE

POWERLIFTING
This class teaches proper techniques to beginners for major lifts (squat, bench, deadlift) and gym safety, helping participants build strength and confidence in a supportive group setting.

Date: Thursday, May 7 and Thursday, May 14
Time: 6:30-7 p.m.
REGISTER ONLINE

SELF DEFENSE
Gain the upper hand in this power-packed class designed to make you aware, prepared, and ready for any situation. Participants will develop physical and mental confidence to avoid hazardous scenarios.

Date: Thursday, May 7
Time: 5:30-6 p.m.
REGISTER ONLINE

Y-FIT
This class includes strength and conditioning exercises for individuals looking for a challenge! A wide variety of equipment and formats may be used, including – but not limited to – battle ropes, rowers, treadmills, weights, TRX, straps, BOSU balls, plyo boxes, and more!

Date: Wednesday, May 13
Time: 5-5:30 p.m.
REGISTER ONLINE

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Join the Village of Shorewood YMCA During Our Grand Opening Membership Sale

The new Village of Shorewood YMCA, located at 1801 W. Jefferson Street, will officially open its doors to serve the community on Monday, April 27.

Built in partnership with the Village of Shorewood, the new facility will provide YMCA members and residents living in Shorewood and the greater Joliet area with access to health and wellness and recreational programming in a welcoming and contemporary space.

Conveniently located along the thriving Rt. 52 corridor, the new 60,000-square-foot Village of Shorewood YMCA will feature:

  • An eight-lane lap pool and sauna
  • A state-of-the-art wellness center featuring cardio and strength equipment, free weights, and functional training spaces
  • A gymnasium
  • Group exercise and cycling studios
  • Multi-purpose rooms and meeting spaces
  • Engaging youth play spaces
  • Indoor and outdoor walking tracks
  • An outdoor playground and fields for summer camp and youth sports programs

Grand Opening Membership Sale – Join the YMCA by June 30 and SAVE

Join the Village of Shorewood YMCA during our Grand Opening Membership Sale and pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee – a savings of up to $120!

JOIN THE VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD YMCA

YMCA Facility Members enjoy significant cost-savings and priority registration on YMCA programs and receive free access to the YMCA’s On the Go App, as well as unlimited guest passes. Ensuring that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay, the Y proudly invests more than $1.5 million into its members and the community each year through its financial assistance program, providing scholarship assistance and free community programming.

The YMCA will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and community open house for the new facility on Saturday, May 2.

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YMCA Masters Swim Team Competes at Illinois State Meet

We want to congratulate all the members of the YMCA’s Masters Swim Team for their outstanding performances at the Illinois Masters State Swim Meet earlier this month! 

The team, which competes in conjunction with the Joliet Inwood Blue Tides, finished in seventh place out of 40 teams overall and was third amongst medium sized teams competing at the meet.

Whether it was setting personal record, or trying a new event, we know the team did amazing job of reaching their goals in the pool! We also give a special shout out to coaches Marcie Ryan Curran and Jen Hazard for guiding swimmers along the way. 

If you would be interested in joining in the Masters Swim Team, which is open to Y members ages 18 and over, team practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6 a.m. and 6-7 a.m., as well as Sundays from 7:15-8:15 a.m. Members who choose to compete in meets can do so in one of 12 different age groups. For more information, please contact the C.W. Avery YMCA at (815) 267-8600.

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