- Fall Fun for the Whole Family at the YMCA
Prepare yourselves! This October, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of fun activities planned for you and your family! All events are free and open to the community except where noted.Village of Shorewood YMCA
Candy Cruise-In
Saturday, October 10
1:30-3:30 p.m.Join us for a family-friendly spooktacular trunk-or-treat event with activities, games, and candy! Don’t forget to wear your halloween costume!
If you are interested in hosting a trunk, please contact Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase at [email protected] or (815) 763-5900, ext. 615.
Floating Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 23
5:30-7:30 p.m.During this event families will have the chance to pick out a pumpkin from our floating pumpkin patch, enjoy open swim time from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and visit the community room to decorate your pumpkin between 6-7:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: Supplies are limited and registration is required. Attendees are asked review pool rules prior to registering.
For more information, please contact Aquatics Director Emily Fleming at [email protected] or (815) 763-5900, ext. 620.
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Monster Dash
Friday, October 16
6-8 p.m.Get ready for some family fun as you run, walk, dash your way around our outdoor track in your Halloween Costume. Strollers welcome!
Check-In/ Photo Ops – 6-6:30 p.m.
Warm-Up/Welcome – 6:30 p.m.
Run/Walk – 6:45-7:45 p.m.Cost: Free for Facility Members, $10 for Community Members.
REGISTER TODAY
For more information, please contact Health, Wellness, and Dance Director Director Kristen Derengowski at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 224.Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 17
1-3 p.m.Stop by the C.W. Avery Family YMCA for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular! We will have a Trunk-or-Treat as well as spooky activities, games, crafts, and more!
REGISTER TODAY
If you are interested in hosting a trunk, please contact Youth and Family Director James Wagner at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 234.Floating Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 23
5:30-7:30 p.m.During this event families will have the chance to pick out a pumpkin from our floating pumpkin patch, enjoy open swim time from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and visit the community room to decorate your pumpkin between 6-7:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: Supplies are limited and registration is required. Attendees are asked review pool rules prior to registering.
For more information, please contact Aquatics Manager Rhiannon Earls at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 247.
Morris Hospital YMCA
Floating Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 23
5:30-7:30 p.m.During this event families will have the chance to pick out a pumpkin from our floating pumpkin patch, enjoy open swim time from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and visit the community room to decorate your pumpkin between 6-7:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: Supplies are limited and registration is required. Attendees are asked review pool rules prior to registering.
For more information, please contact Aquatics Director Coni Schram at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 520.
Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 24
10-11:30 a.m.Location:
Morris Grade School
2001 Dupont Ave
Morris, IL 60450Join us for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular with trunks decorated by local businesses and Morris Hospital! Don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume!
If you would like to host a trunk during this event, please contact Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 513.
Joliet Community YMCA
Monster Mash
Saturday, October 17
1-3 p.m.Join us for a family-friendly spooktacular trunk-or-treat event with activities, games, and candy! Don’t forget to wear your halloween costume!
Location:
Salvation Army Community Center
300 E 3rd Avenue
Joliet, IL 60433If you would like to host a trunk during this event, please contact Youth and Family Director Keyanna Montgomery [email protected] or 815-782-2600.
Harvest Fest (Hosted in Partnership with Messiah Lutheran Church)
Friday, October 23
6:30-8 p.m.Fall fun starts here! Join us for a Family Harvest Fest packed with games, laughs, festive fun, and unforgettable memories for the whole family!
Location:
Messiah Lutheran Church
40 Houbolt Road
Joliet IL 60431 - Where Every Neighbor Belongs: Celebrate 2026 Welcoming Week at the YMCA
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is joining YMCAs across the country to celebrate Welcoming Week from September 10-19! Welcoming Week, an initiative of Y-USA’s national partner Welcoming America, elevates the growing movement of communities that fully embrace new Americans and their contributions to the social fabric of our country. This week-long celebration is an opportunity for neighbors – both immigrants and US-born residents – to get to know one another and celebrate what unites us as a community.
This week, when you visit your local Y branch, you’ll be able to participate in fun activities that will get you in to the spirit of Welcome Week.
BRINGING PEOPLE CLOSER
YMCA branch lobbies will be decorated with “I’m a Welcomer” signs that will help members get to know Y staff. Members will also have the opportunity to pin their country of origin on a map located in the lobby. We are so excited to display a worldwide community throughout the week!
HAVE NEW ADVENTURES
YMCA youth and family events held during Welcoming Week will feature special activities in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month including themed games, crafts, snacks, music, and more! Upcoming events include:
JOLIET COMMUNITY YMCA
Family Game Night
Thursday, September 17
6-7:30 p.m.
Location:
Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center
300 3rd Avenue
Joliet, IL 60433
REGISTER TODAYC.W. AVERY FAMILY YMCA
YMCA Family Night
Friday, September 18
6-7:30 p.m.
Location:
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
REGISTER TODAYVILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD YMCA
YMCA Kids’ Night Out
Friday, September 18
6-8:30 p.m.
Location:
1801 W. Jefferson Street
Shorewood, IL 60404
REGISTER TODAYMORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA
YMCA Family Night
Thursday, September 24
6-7:30 p.m.
Location:
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450
REGISTER TODAY - IGNITE THEIR PASSION: Volunteers Needed for the 2026-2027 Youth Basketball League (YBL) Season
The YMCA is seeking volunteers to serve as coaches for the 2026-2027 Youth Basketball League (YBL) season. Weekly practices will begin in December, with games getting underway in January 2027 at locations throughout Will and Grundy Counties.Whether you’re an experienced coach or someone who loves working with kids, volunteering with the YMCA’s YBL program is a rewarding opportunity to help young athletes develop skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of basketball.
A New Benefit for YMCA Volunteer Coaches
As a special thank-you for the time and commitment our volunteer coaches give to YMCA youth sports programs, we are introducing a new Volunteer Appreciation Benefit this fall. Beginning with the 2026–2027 YBL season, YMCA volunteer head coaches will enjoy 25 percent savings on their league program fees for the season they are coaching. The 25 percent savings will be provided as a credit applied to the volunteer’s YMCA membership account at the conclusion of the season. The credit may be used toward future membership or program fees and can be used by any individual on the volunteer’s membership unit.
To learn more about volunteering as a YMCA youth sports coach, contact the Sports Director at your local YMCA:
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Maria Freeh, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217Joliet Community YMCA
Zach Jarosz, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 782-0813Morris Hospital YMCA
Kaeli Ford, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 523Village of Shorewood YMCA
Chris Interal, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 763-5900, ext. 605 - 2026 Golf Classic Raises Nearly $73,000 for Mission Strong Fund
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA was proud to kickstart an impactful fall during our annual Mission Strong Golf Classic, which was held on Monday, August 31 at Morris Country Club. It was truly a day to remember as a generous group of YMCA supporters helped raise nearly $73,000 at the annual outing.
Funds raised from the outing, which was generously presented by Midland States Bank, will benefit the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay. Now in its fifth year, the Mission Strong Golf Classic has raised more than $335,000 to provide financial assistance for children, adults, and families living in our community.
Golfers enjoyed lunch, 18 holes of golf, on-course games, and an evening program that included a cocktail reception, dinner, and exciting raffles. Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about the Y’s mission and pledge their support by making a charitable donation to the Y’s scholarship program through our ‘Clear the Pond’ fundraiser.
Our generous sponsors included:
Presenting Sponsor
Midland States BankLeading Sponsors
Clune Construction
Narvick Bros. General Contracting & Construction Managers
Old National BankTitanium Sponsors
D’Arcy Chevrolet
Endeavor Health
Grundy Bank
Hamilton & Antonsen, LTD.
Hollywood Casino
Joliet Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Bank
Joliet Junior College
L. DeGeus & Associates
Larson Engineering, Inc.
Stockton Wealth ManagementGraphite Sponsors
Comcast
Edward Jones
Hometown National Bank
Midwest Equipment GroupGolfer’s Choice Sponsors
Baish Excavating, Inc.
Bays Investment Corporation
Chris and Suzy Brown
Burks Bros. Drywall
Business Knowledge Systems
C and J Avery Family Foundation
Guy and Jan Christensen
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
NorthPoint Development
Vulcan Materials CompanyExclusive Hole Sponsors
Associated Orthodontists
Busey Bank
Carroll Seating Company
D. Construction, Inc.
Future Diagnostics Group
Kozol Bros., Inc./Miller Lite
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Omega Plumbing, Heating and Cooling
PNC Bank
Rod Baker Ford
Voom, Preston & Carlasare, PLLCHole Sponsors
Acosta Fence Corp.
Brandenburg Electronic Systems
The Butkus Family
Commerce Bank
Design Group
Financial Plus Credit Union
JB Contracting Corp.
L. DeGeus & Associates
Romar Cabinet & Top Co, Inc.
ServPro
Silver Cross Hospital
State Farm Office of Howard Wright
Testa Steel Constructors, Inc.
Turk Furniture
UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook
Young Company
The Ziegner-Orban FamilyIn-Kind Support
Graphic Promotions, Inc.We look forward to welcoming everyone to our next fundraising event, the YMCA Gala, on Saturday, February 27, at Bolingbrook Golf Club. And be sure to stay tuned for the date of 2027 Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will take place at ‘The Creek’ in Morris. To make a tax-deductible donation to the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here.
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- Celebrating a Successful 2026 Summer Camp Season at the YMCA
As we prepare to celebrate the unofficial end of summer this Labor Day weekend, the Y is taking a look back at the 2026 YMCA Summer Camp Season! It was another amazing summer filled with friendship, learning, and meaningful life experiences for everyone involved! We’d like to thank all of our camp families for spending the summer with us here at the YMCA and wish everyone all the best during the new school 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 boundless enthusiasm, compassion, and creativity. Their 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:’
Eight Summer Day Camp Locations
With a little help from our friends, this year we hosted summer day camp at our YMCA facilities and at offsite locations throughout the community. Thank you, Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center, Messiah Lutheran Church, Plainfield School District 202, and Valley View School District 365U for opening your doors and helping us serve kids in our community this summer.Two Teen REACH Summer Camp Locations
We want to thank our partners at the Salvation Army and Joliet Junior College for helping us provide a free summer day camp program for 6th-8th grade students in Joliet, allowing campers access to life skills education, mentorship/career exploration, STEAM, and service learning activities.33 Summer Day Camp Volunteers
Student volunteers from local high schools, as well as volunteers from Catholic Charities of Joliet and Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness, were a pivotal resource in our camp programs this summer. These wonderful volunteers provided assistance to Y staff and helped to ensure campers participated in a wide range of learning opportunities. We are proud to say that during the 2026 summer camp season, our incredible team of summer camp volunteers provided more than 1,600 hours of assistance in our camp programs.More than 300 Counselors
YMCA summer camp programs would not be possible without the dedication, versatility, and inspiring leadership of our camp staff team.More than 4,000 “Go Blue” Swim Lessons Taught
We are so thankful for the efforts of the aquatics teams at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, Morris Hospital YMCA, and Village of Shorewood YMCA for helping campers learn the important life skill of swimming. You can learn more about the “Go Blue” initiative by visiting our blog.More Than $205,000 Raised by the Y’s Mission Strong Campaign
At the Y, nobody is turned away due to the inability to pay. And, this summer, 1 out of every 2 campers who attended summer day camp programs at the YMCA received financial assistance through our Mission Strong Fund. This was made possible thanks to precious funds gifted by generous donors.Thank you all again for a wonderful Summer Camp season! We look forward to seeing campers back at the YMCA next summer. Camp registration for the summer of 2027 will get underway next March!
C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
