Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Start Your Summer at the Y: Summer Membership Opportunities Available

At the Y, we exist to strengthen community. With a mission centered on balance, the Y brings families closer together, encourages good health and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, millions of people, just like you, are receiving the support they need to engage in healthy and active lifestyles.

BEAT THE HEAT AND SPEND A FANTASTIC SUMMER AT THE Y!

PURCHASE A SUMMER MEMBERSHIP AND ENJOY:

Access to Three Branches
Your membership gives you unlimited use of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s three YMCA locations, including:

  • Three indoor pools and our family aquatic center
  • Three wellness centers, all equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment.

Quality Programming
In addition to our free group exercise classes, the Y offers year-round swimming lessons and personal training, among a slew of other options. View our summer program guides by clicking here.

Summer memberships expire after 90 days or on August 31, 2025, whichever comes first.

Join Today

Summer Membership Rates

TypeDescriptionC.W. Avery Family YMCAVillage of Shorewood YMCAMorris Hospital YMCA
Family Plus3 Adults & Their Dependents$440$405$375
Family2 Adults & Their Dependents$350$325$300
One Adult Family1 Adult & Their Dependents$315$290$270
Two Adult2 Adults in Same Household$305$280$260
AdultAge 26 and older$225$205$185
Young AdultAges 19-25$160$145$135
YouthAges 0-18$135$120$110
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Four Tips on Finding Fulfillment During Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month. Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is dedicated to acknowledging the contributions and achievements of older Americans, while sharing the importance of finding fulfillment in the aging process. In honor of this month, here are a few tips from the Administration for Community Living on how to find fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age. 

1. Embrace the opportunity to change. Find a new passion, go on an adventure and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy and energy.

Did you know the Y offers group and water fitness classes as well as specialty fitness and dance programs? You can view our group fitness schedules here or by using the YMCA on the Go App. To register for specialty fitness/dance programs, click here. 

2. Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes and creative activities.

Did you know the Y partners with Endeavor Health and Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers to offer health, wellness, and education seminars throughout the year?  

3. Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.

Did you know the Y offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities? Learn more and apply to volunteer by clicking here. 

4. Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends and community members.

Did you know the YMCA’s Fab 50 program offers a wide variety of activities and special events to bring the community together? This includes Dancing through the Decades at the Galowich Family YMCA on Friday, May 23! Register today by clicking here or stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit to learn more about upcoming outings at your local YMCA branch.

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Bringing Our Community Together: Dancing Through the Decades at the Galowich Family YMCA

Put on your best outfit and dancing shoes because the Galowich Family YMCA is inviting the community to take a journey in time through music and moves. Join us for an afternoon of dancing and fun with entertainment provided by The Blue Rocket Band!

Date: Friday, May 23
Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Cost: $20

REGISTER TODAY

Registration closes on Wednesday, May 14.

LUNCH MENU:

Chicken Salad Sandwich
-All-butter croissant, roasted chicken, celery, grapes, creamy dressing

Potato Salad
-Diced potatoes, crisp celery, hard-boiled eggs, onions, creamy dressing

Fresh fruit and a sweet treat

Lunch will be provided by Nan’s Catering and Home Cooking!

If you have any questions about this event, or would like to be an event sponsor, please contact Health and Wellness Director Alissa Koenig at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 335.

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Celebrate Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is so excited to celebrate Healthy Kids Day at each of our branch locations! Each site will feature fun educational activities and active play to keep kids moving and learning, helping them maintain healthy habits and academic skills to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Healthy Kids Day events are free and open to the community.

GALOWICH FAMILY YMCA 
Friday, April 25
5:30-7 p.m.

In addition to participating in a fun series of health and wellness activities, attendees will also gain entrance into special raffles. Prizes include Y swag and a free month of membership.

Gym
Kids will be able to participate in sports demonstrations like flag football, basketball, and pickleball throughout the evening and get the chance to play in our inflatable bounce house!

Fitness Studio
Get your heart pumping with a family friendly bootcamp class circuit!

Lap Pool
Dive in for open swim and water safety education activities. Swim lesson evaluations will also be available.

Innovation Center
Stop by for healthy snack making as well as art and writing class demonstrations.

Staff will also lead tours of the wellness center where teens can learn about wellness center certification. YMCA partners and local organizations will be on hand to provide families with important information.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required and children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register all individuals that will be in attendance.

If you have any questions about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, please contact Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 315.

MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA
Saturday, April 26
10:30 a.m.-Noon

Stop by the Y and enjoy:

-Health and wellness demonstrations with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
-Games and activities for kids including an inflatable bounce house in the gymnasium
-A family group fitness class
-Arts and crafts

And so much more!

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required and children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register all individuals that will be in attendance.

REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, please contact Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 513

C.W. AVERY FAMILY YMCA 
Saturday, April 26
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Stop by the Y and enjoy:

-An energetic family fitness class
-An interactive gardening demonstration
-Crafts to help support mindful breathing
-Fun in our bounce houses
-Swimming in the Family Pool from Noon-1 p.m.

And so much more!

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required and children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register all individuals that will be in attendance.

REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, please contact Youth and Family Director James Wagner at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 234

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Ignite Your Passion: Jeannie Howell’s Y Story

At the YMCA, we are always proud to support members as they strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle and reach their goals. This includes individuals like Jeannie Howell, who says she has experienced life changing health and wellness results since joining the Galowich Family YMCA in 2008.

“In 2007, a nurse that I worked with helped me make a New Year’s resolution. She said ‘Let’s exercise for at least an hour once or twice a week.’ At that point in time, I weighed 287 pounds and my knees would pop when I would go up and down the stairs. Since then, I’ve lost more than 100 pounds and I’m now off 2 diabetic medicines that I had taken for 30 years,” she said. 

Jeannie says her Y journey began with water aerobics classes and that she eventually found opportunities to explore one of her life’s passions – dance. 

“When I joined the Y, I thought to myself ‘If I start working out here it’s possible for me to become the dancer that I always aspired to be.’ It was step classes, it was line dancing, it was Zumba, it was everything. I was so winded at first because I couldn’t keep up, but my love for dance allowed me to keep going.”

Jeannie said the process of losing weight was slow and measured, but with each step she gained more confidence, eventually participating in local dance competitions.

“I saw changes along the way that gave me confidence. I was able to stay on the dance floor longer and longer. That’s when I knew everything was working,” she said. 

In addition to improving her health, being at the Y allowed Jeannie to build lasting friendships. 

“I’ve made so many connections at the Y. I’m still friends with everyone I met in the first water aerobics classes from 2008. And when I meet up with friends from Zumba classes, sometimes we end up doing the dances right in the bar when music comes on,” she said.

When offering advice to others seeking to improve their health, Jeannie emphasizes that patience has been the most important factor in her health and wellness journey.

“You can’t be in a hurry and you can never quit. Bad habits die hard and it’s never easy. You have to find something you enjoy. So try some of everything and find something that you like. It takes time but it becomes a lifestyle,” she said. 

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Get Fit and Stay Strong During the YMCA’s March Personal Training Sale

We invite you to take the next step in your fitness journey by taking advantage of our March Personal Training Sale. Throughout the month, if you buy four sessions, you get one free!*

REGISTER TODAY

One-on-One PT Sessions
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA

Group of 2 PT Sessions
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA

You can also find information about personal trainers at your local Y branch below.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA

*Offer valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location between March 1-31, 2025. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Visit your local branch for more details.

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