- Registration for YMCA Pint-Size Pupils is Underway!
Designed for preschool and kindergarten-aged children, the Y’s Pint-Size Pupils Program will help your young learner develop to his or her fullest potential. Through a variety of fun activities that include both structured and open play, our dedicated staff teach, model and reinforce the Y’s Christian character values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.Projects and lessons will explore colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. Classes are small in size and incorporate bright colors, music, and interactive games to help our youngest members develop their socialization skills and academic concepts.
Registration for the 2026-27 school year is underway!
Pint-Size Pupils will be offered at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA and Morris Hospital YMCA. Learn more below.
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Program closely follows the school calendar for Plainfield District 202. Families can choose a two-day program on Tuesdays and Thursdays or a three-day program on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
HOURS
Morning Class:
9:30 a.m.-NoonAfternoon Class:
12:30-3 p.m.2026-2027 MONTHLY TUITION
Tuition is paid via ten monthly drafts on the 15th of the month (August-May). There is a one-time $50 non-refundable registration fee.Enrollment Plan Facility Member Rate Community Member Rate 2 Days Per Week $170 $340 3 Days Per Week $250 $500 To learn more about the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Pint-Size Pupils program, please contact:
James Wagner
Youth and Family Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 212Morris Hospital YMCA
Program closely follows the school calendar for Morris Grade School and Saratoga Elementary School.
HOURS
9:30-11:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays2026-2027 MONTHLY TUITION
Tuition is paid via ten monthly drafts on the 15th of the month (August-May). There is a one-time $50 non-refundable registration fee.Facility Member Rate Community Member Rate $250 $500 To learn more about the Morris Hospital YMCA’s Pint-Size Pupils program, please contact:
Jordan Overton, Youth and Family Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 513 - Stars, Stripes, and Summer Sports Camps Sale
June 26-July 6SAVE $10 when you register for Summer Sports Camps during this special sale!
Valid for a July or August 2026 summer sports camp at any branch of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA.
Use promo code: SPORTSCAMPS26 when registering online. Register today by clicking below.
PLEASE NOTE: Camps vary by location.
- YMCA Volunteer Spotlight: Youth Basketball League Coach Rayvan Richardson
YMCA sports programs not only provide opportunities for children to stay active, in many instances they serve as a foundation for strong family relationships. In the case of Joliet Community YMCA volunteer Rayvan Richardson, becoming a Youth Basketball League (YBL) coach has opened the door to rewarding experiences with her sons – Corey (age 11), Glenn (age 9), and Josiah (age 7).“The most rewarding part is being able to bond with my sons and connect with them. Basketball is a sport that I played and now they have a passion for it,” Rayvan said.
Rayvan, who served as a volunteer coach for the first time last season, said her decision to get involved at the Y was inspired in part by a conversation with her son, Corey.
“I don’t know if he was joking at first when he said ‘Mom you should coach my team,’ but I thought to myself ‘You know what, I should. I take you to practice anyway.’ And because volunteering is very important to help our youth, I felt I should give back.”
Rayvan said building confidence in children is the most important aspect of YMCA sports programs.
“I feel like the Y brings kids together in a positive environment and allows them to be active. I always use my kids as an example. They stay busy, have fun, and make new friends. It’s important to start them young so as they grow older they’ve had some positivity in their lives,” she said.
She also believes coaching provides an outlet for personal development.
“It does teach you a lot more patience and I learned what helps is being an active participant in practice. Sometimes I’ll get into the drills with them because I feel like, if you put yourself out there, they have a little more fun and a little more inspiration to get the work done. And I end up feeling like a kid again myself.”
The impact of volunteering goes beyond Y programs, as Rayvan said it has strengthened ties to the community in her day-to-day life.
“You meet new people and sometimes I’ll see a family at the store and they go ‘Hey that’s coach!’ It’s a joy to make those connections outside the Y,” she said.
Overall, it’s an experience that has Rayvan already looking forward to next season.
“I love the kids and being around them. I’m so excited to come back next year,” she said.
We are so proud to have Rayvan as a volunteer and thank her for her efforts to support youth development in our community. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer coach in the Y’s fall youth sports leagues, you can sign up by clicking here.
- 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign Raises More than $205,000
Over the past several weeks, generous Y supporters came together to raise more than $205,000 to help send kids to YMCA camp this summer!Because of this incredible generosity, our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign was truly one for the record books – providing more than 4,100 days of camp for children in our community.
Whether by making a personal gift, sharing information about our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign on social media, or inviting friends and family members to learn more about the Y’s youth development work, we want to thank everyone in the Y community for making an AMAZING difference. With the help of charitable, kids have the opportunity to experience a summer filled with friendship, confidence, and unforgettable memories.
While this year’s campaign has officially come to a close, there’s still time to support the YMCA’s mission and help create opportunities for kids and families all year long.
PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT TODAY
Thank you for your careful consideration and commitment to making a difference for the kids in our community.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all gifts to the Greater Joliet Area YMCA are tax-deductible.
- Inspiring Generosity: How to Become a YMCA Chairman’s Roundtable Donor
The Chairman’s Roundtable (CRT) recognizes major donors whose annual charitable giving totals $1,000 or more in a calendar year. We honor CRT donors with special recognition according to their giving level. All CRT Partners are celebrated with custom banners displayed for a year at the branch of their choice.Donor banners are displayed year-round in our three Greater Joliet Area YMCA locations, which welcome more than 775,000 visitors each year.
HOW TO BECOME A CRT DONOR
1. PLEDGE A DONATION
Contact the Development Team at (815) 782-0502 to pledge your gift of $1,000 or more.
2. DESIGN YOUR BANNER
All CRT donors have the opportunity to customize their banner. Please Note: CRT Donors will be asked to approve a final proof of their custom banner before it is printed. Customization details can be found below.
3. CHOOSE YOUR BANNER PLACEMENT
Our Development Team will notify donors when their banner has been hung in the YMCA location of their choice, so you can plan a visit to the Y and see it on display.
Banner Recognition Levels
Platinum Partner through Visionary ($5,000 and up)
36″x72″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 3 YMCA LocationsGold Partner ($3,000 and up)
36″x72″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 2 YMCA Locations of Your ChoiceSilver Partner ($1,000-$2,999)
24″x36″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 1 YMCA Location of Your Choice
And don’t forget, now is the perfect time to give during our 2026 Send a Kid to Campaign. Learn more and donate online today by clicking here.
C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
