Youth Development — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Let Your Talent Shine: 2023 YMCA Holiday Card Design Contest

September 27, 2023

The YMCA’s Holiday Card Design Contest is back! Open to Y Members, ages 6-12, the contest is the perfect opportunity for kids to let their artistic talents shine and help spread a little cheer this upcoming holiday season.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Download an entry form and print it out. Entry forms are also available at the Y’s Front Desk.

2. Grab some crayons, markers and colored pencils and draw a picture that depicts your favorite things about the holidays and the winter season. From snowmen to Christmas trees, to candy canes and snowflakes, we can’t wait to see your original designs!

3. Complete the entry form and drop it off at the Y.

We will select our three favorite designs—one from each age group—to be featured on the Y’s holiday card.

Age Groups

Ages 6-7
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-12

Each of our winners will receive a YMCA Sweatshirt and other exciting prizes.

Download Entry Form

The deadline to enter is Friday, November 3.

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Celebrate Halloween at the YMCA

September 27, 2023

Prepare yourselves! This October, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of spooky, Halloween-themed activities planned for you and your family. Join us for ‘Spook-tacular’ fun!

Galowich Family YMCA

Kids’ Night Out: Floating Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 6
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Did you know pumpkins can float?! Kids will pick out a pumpkin from our floating pumpkin patch, enjoy open swim, and then head into the Kid Zone room to eat pizza and paint their pumpkin! Pre-registration is required at least 48 hours in advance. PLEASE NOTE: All participants will be swim tested prior to the start of the event and will need to bring their own swimsuits and towels.

Cost: $10 for Facility Members/$20 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

Friday Family Fitness: Monster Bash
Friday, October 13
6-7 p.m.

Join us for a fun, family-friendly, and Halloween themed Zumba Party! Costumes are encouraged!

Cost: $5
REGISTER TODAY

Trunk-or-Treat
Friday, October 20
6-8 p.m.

Bring your family to this spook-tacular event! Decorated cars will fill our parking lot and children can go from trunk to trunk to collect candy and play games. This provides a fun and safe environment for everyone to enjoy. Don’t forget to come dressed in your Halloween costume!

Cost: Free and open to the community.

If you are interested in volunteering or hosting a Trunk-or-Treat vehicle, contact Youth and Family/Sports Director JC Wagner at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 317.

Galowich Family YMCA Fab 50 Halloween Bash
Wednesday, October 25
11:30 a.m-2 p.m.

Put on your best costume and dancing shoes because the Galowich Family YMCA is inviting the community to a Halloween Bash! Join us for an afternoon of dancing and fun with entertainment provided by Sandi Haynes and the Blue Rocket Band!

Cost: $15
REGISTER TODAY

Morris Community YMCA

Trunk-or-Treat
Saturday, October 21
10-11:30 a.m.

Location:
Morris Grade School
2001 Dupont Ave
Morris, IL 60450

It’s Halloween time and we’re having a bash! Wear your best costume and do a little Monster Dash! Come trunk or treat from the numerous trunks provided by local businesses.

Cost: Free and open to the community

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.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Kids’ Night Out: Halloween Costume Party
Friday, October 27
6:30-9 p.m.

Join us for a variety of activities such as games, sports, movies, and arts & crafts. Be sure to wear your Halloween costumes!

Cost: $15 for Facility Members/$30 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 28
1-3:30 p.m.

Stop by the C.W. Avery Family YMCA for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular! We will have a Trunk-or-Treat with a haunted house as well as games, crafts, hayrides, bounce houses, and more!

Cost: Free and open to the community

If you are interested in hosting a trunk, please contact Youth and Family Director Shannon Stawikowski at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 212.

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Galowich Family YMCA Offering Exciting Fall Programming for Tweens

September 13, 2023

The Y is the perfect place for tweens to learn new skills, hang with their friends, and be themselves! This fall, the Galowich Family YMCA is excited to offer programs and events for tweens including:

Chillaxin’ at the Y
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
5-7:30 p.m.

Have fun chilling out in the YMCA Innovation Center!

Backpacks and Snacks
Ages 10-14
Tuesdays from 5:30-6:15 p.m.

It’s all about balancing snacking with fruits, veggies, and healthy grub. Join the YMCA in learning more about making healthier snack choices! Our staff and the kitchen are equipped to provide knowledge and to show our teens how they can fuel themselves with healthy snacks after school.

Cost:
Fall 2* – $36 for Facility Members, $72 for Community Members
Fall 3 – $45 for Facility Members, $90 for Community Members

Teens and Technology
Ages 10-14
Mondays from 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Coding, Printing, Specs, and Tech! Find your inner innovator with the Y?s new technology program. This unique experience will provide you with opportunities to explore and learn more than ever before about technology!

Cost:
$45 for Facility Members, $90 for Community Members

*Prorated rate, no class on Halloween.

The Y Makerspace
Ages 10-17

Monday, October 16 – Photo Fun!
5-6:15 p.m.

Do you enjoy taking photos? Join us to learn the basics of photography and take some fun photos!

Monday, November 13 – 3D Print It!
5-6:15 p.m.

Learn the basics of 3D printing. Make it and take it home!

Cost:
$10 for Facility Members, $20 for Community Members

Tweens’ Night Out
Ages 10-14

Friday, October 6 – 3v3 Olympic Basketball
5:30-7:30 p.m.

This one-night basketball tournament is sure to have everyone jumping for joy!

Friday, November 3 – Video Game Night
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Do you enjoy playing video games? Bring a friend for a night of video game play!

Cost:
$10 for Facility Members, $20 for Community Members

American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training
Ages 11-15

Participants in this class will learn the information and skills necessary to provide safe and responsible care to infant and school age children in the absence of parents. Emphasis will be placed on safety and safe play, first aid and developing skills in leadership and professionalism. Each participant will take home their own training manual and materials. Participants should bring a lunch.

Monday, October 9
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Wednesday, November 22
10 am.-2 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Cost:
$75 for Facility Members, $150 for Community Members

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My Y Rewards Special September Earnings Events

August 30, 2023

We are excited to announce that Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members, ages 16 and up, enrolled in the My Y Rewards program will receive 100 points when they attend or participate in any of the following family events during the month of September:

Family Fun Fair
Date: Friday, September 8
Time: 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Galowich Family YMCA

Stop by the Y for a wide range of fun activities for kids and parents to enjoy together! We will have a bounce house, pool inflatables, a family Pound group fitness class, and a family resource fair with community vendors.

Ice Cream Social
Date: Friday, September 22
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Location: C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Join us for this outdoor event featuring a variety of ice cream treats and family games!

YMCA Coloring Contest
Date: Entries Due by Friday, September 22
Location: Morris Community YMCA

This exciting coloring contest is open to children ages 4-12. Parents of children who submit an entry will receive bonus points. (Rewards account email on file must be submitted on entry form. Multiple children per family may submit an entry, but there is a limit of one rewards bonus per adult.)

LEARN MORE

Learn how to enroll in the My Y Rewards program by clicking below.

ENROLL TODAY

Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll also earn points each time you check-in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, you’ll earn your first 50 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

If you should have any questions or any feedback on the My Y Rewards Program, please be sure to stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit or email [email protected].

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2023 Morris Community YMCA Coloring Contest

August 29, 2023

Calling all Y Kids! To celebrate this very fun time of year in Grundy County, the Morris Community YMCA is holding a special Coloring Contest! Open to kids, ages 4-12, this is the perfect opportunity to let your artistic talents shine.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Download the official entry form below.

Coloring Contest Form

2. Grab your crayons, markers or colored pencils and color away!

3. Drop it off at the Membership Desk of the Morris Community YMCA or give it to your Kid Zone counselor.

4. All entries must be submitted by 8 p.m. on Friday, September 22. Contest is open to children ages 4-12. One winner will be selected in each of the following age groups:

Ages 4-5
Ages 6-7
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-12

PLEASE NOTE: One entry per child, but multiple children per household are allowed. Submitted artwork becomes the property of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA. Official Entry Form must be signed by a parent or guardian, 18 years or older.

My Y Rewards Special Offer: All YMCA Facility Members enrolled in the My Y Rewards Program with a child who submits a Coloring Contest entry will receive 100 bonus points. (Rewards account email on file must be submitted on entry form. Multiple children per family may submit an entry, but there is a limit of one rewards bonus per adult.)

Good luck!

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YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic Rescheduled to Thursday, September 21

August 23, 2023

Due to the excessive heat and extreme temperatures in the forecast for the original event date, the 2023 Mission Strong Golf Classic has been postponed. The Golf Classic has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 21, at ‘The Creek’ at Morris Country Club.

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope that you will be able to join us on what will hopefully be a beautiful (and much cooler) fall day on September 21.

For additional information about the 2023 Mission Strong Golf Classic, please contact:

Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Community Engagement Director
Phone: (815) 782-0502
Email: [email protected]

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