C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Swimming Without Limits: C.W. Avery Family YMCA Offering Sensory-Friendly Swims This Fall

August 14, 2024

Join the YMCA for a morning of joy, support, and celebration as we create a welcoming space for swimmers of all abilities. Designed to be inclusive and accommodating for kids with diverse sensory needs and their families, YMCA Sensory-Friendly Swims will feature a quiet environment with no music and little-to-no whistle use by our lifeguards. The water features in the Family Pool will also be turned off during this time.

Sensory-Friendly Swims are open to YMCA Facility Members and the community, so we encourage you to invite your friends and family to join along. Registration is required.

Dates:
Sunday, September 15
Sunday, October 13
Sunday, November 10

Time:
11 a.m.-Noon

* Families are welcome to extend their visit at the Y and participate in Open Swim, which will begin in the Family Pool at noon.

Cost:
YMCA Facility Member Families: Free
Community Member Families: $10 Per Family

If you have any questions please contact Cindy Moss at (815) 267-8600, ext. 228 or by email at [email protected].

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Receives $7,500 Donation from Midland States Bank Foundation

August 13, 2024

Every day the Greater Joliet Area YMCA affirms its commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Y programs provide opportunities for all generations, ensuring that every individual feels a sense of belonging. And as a non-profit, community-based organization, the YMCA relies on the generosity of its members and the support of charitable giving to offer these services and programs for children, adults and families living in our community.

That is why the YMCA would like to thank the Midland States Bank Foundation, which recently provided a $7,500 grant in support of YMCA Summer Day Camp, helping to ensure that campers, staff members, and volunteers had the resources to make this summer the #BestSummerEver.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here. To show your support by making a donation, please click here.

Pictured in top photo: (L-R): Midland States Bank Senior Commercial Services Regional Manager Denise Bertucci, Midland States Bank Executive Vice President of Community Banking and Wealth Management Dan Stevenson, Galowich Family YMCA and Future Village of Shorewood YMCA Executive Director Trisha Dust, Galowich Family YMCA Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase, Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair, and Midland States Bank Regional Community Development Relationship Manager Cornell Lurry

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Keeping Kids Healthy: Partnerships with Endeavor Health and Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers Highlight 2024 Summer Day Camp Season

August 8, 2024

YMCA Summer Day Camp is not only a great way for kids to stay active and have fun with friends, it’s also an opportunity for them to learn important life skills. This summer, the Y had the privilege of working with our healthcare partners at Endeavor Health and Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers to provide unique experiences and host health and wellness activities for campers at our Morris and C.W. Avery Family YMCA camp locations.

At the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, Endeavor Health created 10 weekly themes that encompassed a wide range of health and wellness topics. Activities included craft projects that campers completed to help their families maintain healthy eating habits, as well as posting health tips inside the Y to inspire our members. Campers also identified the best ways to support their emotional health through group discussions, received instruction on cardio, strength and yoga exercises, and had the chance to meet EMT professionals to learn about life-saving 911 equipment and procedures during an interactive ambulance visit.

“This is the second year we have partnered with Endeavor to offer weekly activities and it’s something that we are very proud to have in our camp curriculum,” C.W. Avery Family YMCA Youth and Family Director Shannon Stawikowski said. “The campers have done an amazing job with their projects and we hope they continue to build on the healthy habits they have developed as they move into the upcoming school year.”

For Morris Community YMCA campers, the summer was highlighted by several educational visits from Morris Hospital employees. Lessons helped demonstrate the importance of washing your hands to prevent the spread of germs, identify stroke symptoms in the event a loved one is suffering a medical emergency, and learn basic first-aid treatments. Campers in grades 3-5 also participated in Camp 911, which brought together an array of local healthcare and law enforcement agencies for interactive demonstrations at Saratoga Elementary School.

“We were so excited to have Camp 911 back for the first time since 2019,” Morris Community YMCA Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton said. “I know the kids had a lot of fun meeting the police dog and they also got a real thrill seeing the hospital helicopter. It really was a perfect way to help connect kids with the incredible professionals and volunteers who serve our community.”

We are so thankful for the support of our healthcare partners and their role in making this summer the #BestSummerEver. We can’t wait to see these partnerships flourish throughout our branches and program sites into the school year and beyond.

2024 YMCA Summer Day Camp is generously sponsored by CN.

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Working Together to Make Your Y Better: Summer Spruce Up 2024

August 5, 2024

August 11-25

Each summer, we take time to thoroughly clean and enhance our facilities so that our members can have an enjoyable experience throughout the year. As always, you are welcome to use any of our three YMCA facilities during Summer Spruce Up.

When visiting any of our YMCA branches during Summer Spruce Up, please remember to bring your Membership Card/Tag. Please be sure to call ahead to verify hours and to ensure the amenities you would like to use will be open during your visit.

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA will be closed on Sunday, August 18 while the floors in the lobby are cleaned and waxed. We apologize for the inconvenience.

FAMILY POOL
Closed beginning on Sunday, August 11
Reopening on Monday, August 26

The Family Pool will be drained and receive a deep cleaning. Additional repairs will also be completed.

KIDS CORNER
Closed beginning on Thursday, August 15
Reopening on Saturday, August 17

Kids Corner will be treated to a deep cleaning and additional renovations will be completed. All toys will also be sanitized.

LAP POOL
Closed beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 17
Reopening on Monday, August 19

The Lap Pool deck will receive a deep cleaning. Additional repairs will also be completed.

GYMNASIUM AND INDOOR TRACK
Closed beginning on Tuesday, August 20
Reopening on Monday, August 26

The Gym will also be closed from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on August 15, 16, and August 19. The Gym will be treated to a deep cleaning and the floors will be refinished.

FITNESS STUDIO #2
Closed beginning on Tuesday, August 20
Reopening on Monday, August 26

The Fitness Studio will be cleaned and the floors will be refinished.

LOCKER ROOMS AND PRIVATE CHANGING ROOMS
The Locker Rooms and Private Changing Rooms will be closed intermittently during Spruce Up to allow ample time for deep cleaning, painting, and repairs. Closings will be posted in the building and on our Facebook page.

STEAM ROOM AND SAUNA
The Steam Room and Sauna will be closed intermittently during Spruce Up to allow ample time for deep cleaning and repairs. Closings will be posted in the building and on our Facebook page.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
In addition to the improvements listed above, all areas of the building will be treated to a deep cleaning. Portions of the parking lot will also be repaired beginning August 19, necessitating partial closures during this time.

Galowich Family YMCA

All areas of the building will be treated to a deep cleaning. Certain areas of the facility may be closed intermittently during this time to allow ample time for cleaning and repairs. Closings will be posted in the building and on our Facebook page. The lap pool, gymnasium, wellness center, and locker rooms will remain open. We apologize in advance for the inconvenience.

Morris Community YMCA

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Save During the YMCA’s 2024 Fall Sports League Sale

July 22, 2024

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.

Use promo code: LEAGUES24FA when registering online

*Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Programs vary by location. Limit one per member. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Some restrictions may apply. Learn more and register today by clicking below.

Flag Football

Soccer

T-Ball

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Save During the YMCA’s 2024 Summer Kid Zone Sale

July 22, 2024

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. The YMCA’s Kid Zone Program 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.

Registration for the YMCA’s Before and After School Kid Zone program for the 2024-2025 school year is underway!

Families who register for Kid Zone between Friday, July 26 and Monday, August 5 will pay a $0 Registration Fee-a savings of $45!

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

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