Youth Sports — Page 2 — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Dance, Cheer, Shine: YMCA Junior Wolves Dance Team Launching This Fall

July 25, 2025

The YMCA’s Junior Wolves Sports Program, offered in partnership with Joliet Junior College, is excited to announce a new co-ed dance team opportunity for kids ages 5-9 and 10-14!

Led by experienced cheer and dance staff, this enthusiastic program will teach aspiring dancers of all skill levels a mix of cheers, jumps, and dance routines. The team will perform throughout the NFL FLAG Football and Youth Basketball League seasons.

Fall Season
Practices will be held on Wednesdays starting August 13. Game performances will be on Fridays or Saturdays beginning the week of September 1. All practices and games will take place at the JJC Event Center.

Winter Season
Practices will be held on Wednesdays starting December 10. Game performances will be on Saturdays beginning January 17. All practices and games will take place at the JJC Event Center.

Each dancer will receive a t-shirt and socks to wear on game days. Dancers should wear black pants or shorts (weather dependent) with black shoes.

Cost (Per Season)
Facility Members: $65
Community Members: $98

SPECIAL OFFER
Register for the Fall Season by Monday, July 28 and SAVE $10! Use promo code LEAGUES25FA when registering online.

Financial Assistance
At the YMCA, no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. Scholarships are available to those who qualify. Contact the Y at (815) 744-3939 for additional information.

To learn more about YMCA Junior Wolves Sports Programs, contact:
Zach Jarosz, Sports Manager
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 317

SHARE THIS:

Goggle Up: Van Walker’s Y Story

July 25, 2025

Morris Hospital YMCA member Cailey Walker says her son Van (age 10) has always been a swimmer.

“We’ve never been able to keep him out of the water. He’s loved to swim right from when he was a baby,” she said.

But up until last year, there was never a thought of swimming as a team activity. Cailey says that changed after Van attended a fall swim clinic hosted by the YMCA’s JETS Swim Team.

“It was wonderful. Head Coach Dave Hedden was so welcoming and invited Van to join the team,” Cailey said.

After getting a few practice sessions in, Van said he was excited to get the opportunity to swim competitively.

“I love swimming because I love being in the water and I love racing. My specialty is backstroke, but my favorite race is the 200 freestyle,” he said.

In addition to meets, Van said his favorite parts of being a JET have been participating in group activities like the annual Navy Seal Fitness Challenge, as well as the overall team atmosphere.

“The coaches are really supportive and nice, and my teammates are nice. Nicer than any other team I’ve been on,” he said.

Cailey said the welcoming nature of the program extends to the team parents.

“We have found a really wonderful community with a lot of great people that we would have probably never met otherwise. That’s what we like most about the JETS, the friends we’ve made,” she said.

The Walkers are also looking forward to the future of the program in Morris. The team will begin training at the Morris Hospital YMCA later this fall, and Cailey said Van has already gotten additional chances to swim at the Y.

“We’ve used the lap pool a lot, especially during school breaks. During Christmas break, Van was begging to come in every day. It’s nice because I can also go for a walk on the treadmill while he’s swimming,” she said.

Van said he can’t wait to begin training with new teammates at the Morris Y.

“Whether you’re new to swimming, or if you are really good at swimming, anyone can join. Everyone is welcome,” he said.

If your child is interested in joining the JETS, a fall swim clinic is the perfect opportunity for swimmers to meet some of the coaches and learn new swim skills. Throughout the clinic, coaches will also evaluate swimmers to determine if they meet criteria to be placed on the team. Due to popular demand, a second clinic at the Morris Hospital YMCA has been added for August 4-6! Additional details can be found below.

JETS Swim Team Fall Clinic

Date: Monday, August 4-Wednesday, August 6
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Location: Morris Hospital YMCA
Cost: $25

Open to ages 6-17.

SHARE THIS:

Save During the YMCA’s 2025 Fall Sports League Sale

July 23, 2025

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: LEAGUES25FA 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.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

NFL FLAG Football

Soccer

Galowich Family YMCA and Joliet Community YMCA

NFL FLAG Football and Junior Wolves Dance Team

Soccer

Morris Hospital YMCA

NFL FLAG Football

3×3 Basketball

T-Ball, Pinto Baseball, 8U Softball

SHARE THIS:

YMCA Launches Innovative Programming Initiative in Joliet

July 22, 2025

New Joliet Community YMCA Will Bring Vital Programs to the Heart of the Community

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to announce the creation of the Joliet Community YMCA (JCY), an innovative initiative that will bring vital YMCA youth development, sports, and family programming to neighborhood locations throughout the greater Joliet community.

With offices located on the main campus of Joliet Junior College (JJC), the Joliet Community YMCA will partner with area churches, local school districts, and other likeminded community organizations to provide year-round programs for Joliet residents of all ages. This new initiative reaffirms the YMCA’s ongoing commitment to equity, access, and innovation in serving the community.

“As we prepare to celebrate the YMCA’s 100th anniversary in 2026, we have the opportunity to reimagine the ways we deliver programs to the community,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair. “By offering programs in neighborhood locations, like schools and churches, we hope to make them more accessible for more people in our community.”

Operating as a mobile, community-based extension of the Y’s mission, the Joliet Community YMCA will offer a wide range of programs at locations throughout the greater Joliet community, including:

Before and After School Kid Zone Program: The Y’s Kid Zone program serves students from 12 Joliet District 86 elementary schools, 10 onsite, providing much-needed before and after school care for families. The JCY Kid Zone program also serves students in Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C, Rockdale School District 84, and Laraway Community Consolidated School District 70C.

Teen REACH: The Y’s Teen REACH program, which provides free after school care for students in grades 6-8, will be offered onsite at Joliet District 86’s four junior high schools. Teen REACH summer camp is currently offered at JJC and the Salvation Army Community Center.

Teen Achievers: The Y’s Teen Achievers program provides local high school students with access to career and empowerment workshops, college tours, and networking opportunities.

Youth Sports Programs: Through an innovative partnership, which was announced earlier this winter, the Y and JJC will work together to host year-round sports programming on the college’s main campus. These programs will include youth sports leagues, camps, clinics, and classes, offered as part of the YMCA Junior Wolves program, which provides kids with the opportunity to train with JJC athletes and coaches and YMCA staff.

Youth Enrichment Programs: Beginning this fall, the Joliet Community YMCA will offer a variety of youth enrichment programs, including dance, martial arts, cooking, and STEM classes at JJC, the Salvation Army Community Center, and Messiah Lutheran Church of Joliet.

Family Nights and Special Events: This fall, the Joliet Community YMCA will host free family nights and holiday events at locations throughout Joliet.

“We are very excited to write the next chapter of the Y’s storied history in the Joliet community. We want to meet families where they are. By working collaboratively with our community partners, we can create welcoming spaces where everyone belongs and everyone has the opportunity to grow and thrive at the YMCA,” added Leclair.

Registration for Joliet Community YMCA fall programming will begin on Saturday, July 26. Kid Zone and Teen REACH registration for the 2025-2026 school year is underway. Financial assistance through the Y’s scholarship program is available.

SHARE THIS:

JETS Swim Team Set to Begin Practices at the Morris Hospital YMCA in September

June 30, 2025

One of the area’s most historic youth swimming clubs, the JETS Swim Team is a year-round competitive swim program that offers instruction and training for swimmers ages 6-17.

The JETS support the YMCA’s mission of building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities, and our professional team of coaches strive to not only build strong swimmers but caring, honest, respectful, and responsible children and young adults. Swimmers learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and goal-setting while developing their competitive swimming skills.

We are excited to announce that the JETS will begin training at the new Morris Hospital YMCA beginning this fall!

If your child is interested in joining the JETS, we invite you to participate in one of our upcoming swim clinics, which provide opportunities for swimmers to meet some of the coaches and learn new swim skills. Throughout each clinic, coaches will be evaluating swimmers to determine if they meet criteria to be placed on the team.

One-Day Clinic

Date: Wednesday, July 9
Location: Morris Hospital YMCA
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Cost: $10

Three-Day Clinic

Date: Monday, August 4 – Wednesday, August 6
Location: Morris Hospital YMCA
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Cost: $25

If you have any questions about the JETS or would like to learn more about the team, please contact:

Dave Hedden
Director of Competitive Aquatics
[email protected]
(815) 267-7600, ext. 227

SHARE THIS:

Morris Hospital YMCA Set to Offer Youth 3×3 Basketball League This Fall

June 17, 2025

Get ready to hit the hardwood this fall in the Morris Hospital YMCA’s new 3×3 Fall Youth Basketball League. This league is designed to help players improve their skills, grow their game, and build confidence—both on and off the court.

LEAGUE INFORMATION

Dates: August 25-October 25

Girls and Boys Age Divisions:
Ages 9-10
Age 11-12
Ages 13-14
Ages 15-17

Teams will have 5 players. Each team will have a volunteer coach and play seven games (plus league playoffs.) Practices will be held on weekday evenings at Morris Grade School. Games will be played on Saturday mornings at the Morris Hospital YMCA. Each player will receive a jersey. Division winners will receive a medal.

Cost (Per player):

Prior to June 24
Facility Members: $90
Community Members: $180

June 24-August 4
Facility Members: $95
Community Members: $190

August 5 and Beyond
Facility Members: $100
Community Members: $200

PLEASE NOTE: Participants will register as individuals and will also be asked to list their teammates when completing registration. Participants who do not list teammates will be placed on a team with an open roster slot.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Chris Interial
Morris Hospital YMCA Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 514

SHARE THIS: