Y Mention It: Thank You for Practicing Pool Etiquette, Saturday Hours, and Upcoming Events
Thank you to all of our members who continue to support the Y as we acknowledge the 2 year anniversary of what would become a 6 month shutdown during the pandemic. While these are upsetting memories for many of us, it is certainly rejuvenating to see you return, and many of you with additional family members. Daycare numbers have increased, and we see a large upsurge in the usage of the pool at all hours of the day.
Thank you for being patient while the lifeguards assist swimmers in recommending lane usage and helping you join others in lap lanes. While we would like to accommodate folks by giving everyone their own lane, this is not always possible, and etiquette and technique of entering and sharing lanes with others is important. We have also seen folks who have adjusted the time of day that they swim in order to visit when the pool is less busy. We appreciate this modification as it helps all of our community share a very popular space. The goal is the same — to recreate and exercise in the interest of wellness.
The month of March means that the Y is committed to fulfill the needs of the community with Red Cross trainings, most specifically for Lifeguards. With summer around the corner, the Y will be training dozens of lifeguards that will fulfill the needs of outdoor pools, state parks, and other aquatic needs in our community. The Y is the largest source of certified Red Cross trainers, and our training schedule requires pool space during open facility hours.
The benefit of Y trainings is evident: many lifeguards obtain first-time employment with these important lifesaving skills. Last year, the Y trained 136 lifeguards who worked throughout our county and beyond, a high number due to a backlog of recertifications resulting from aquatic location closings in 2020. This year, we will be training potential lifeguards at least once per month in March, April, May, and June. We ask our members to understand that an interruption in large pool usage on Saturdays will be well worth the advantage to our community and employment recruitment. Thank you for understanding that the Y is intentional to provide this service to our community with the least amount of interruption to our membership as possible. Please consult the Y website and social media to keep up-to-date with the pool schedule.
In good health,
Teresa
Expanded Saturday Hours
We're now open until 4:00 pm on Saturdays! You've been asking for more time at the Y on weekends, and we listened. Stop in for the afternoon to enjoy the gym, racquetball courts, Child Watch, youth/family activity room, and fitness areas.
Note that the pool will still close at noon this Saturday the 26th for scheduled aquatics training. Thank you for your patience as we prepare future lifeguards for the upcoming season.
Mark Your Calendar for Healthy Kids Day
For 30 years, Healthy Kids Day has supported and celebrated healthy development through fun and play. Join us in the YMCA gymnasium on April 30 from 1 to 3 pm to celebrate the 30th year! Admission will be free for everyone under age 18.
We're planning a variety of fun activities for all ages. More info will be available soon.
If you're part of a local community organization that promotes healthy living for youth, this is a day to celebrate and highlight your contributions as well. If you'd like to present an activity that demonstrates your organization's goals and offerings, consider filling out our Vendor Application Form.
Announcing the 30th Annual Kids to Camp Golf Outing
We're currently planning the Kids to Camp Golf Outing for Monday, June 13. The event raises funds to provide summer camp programs to more local youths — experiences that include outdoor education, cooperative activities, and more.
All are welcome to organize a team and join in! If you can’t participate, you can still support the Kids to Camp golf outing through a sponsorship or a donation, as an individual or organization. Visit ithacaymca.com/golf for more information about registering, or call with any questions about contributing a raffle item or donation to the Kids to Camp fund.
Have you tried out YMCA360?
The YMCA's online and on-demand collection of programs, classes, and instructors can be accessed anytime, from anywhere — and it's free for all local YMCA members!
YMCA360 partners across the country have recently added to the huge collection, with new videos on Suspension Training, High Intensity Interval Training, Yoga, Dance, Cycle, and more. Check it out at ymca360.org.
Schedule for Session 3 Drops Soon
Next week, we'll post the schedule for the upcoming swim lesson session on our website at ithacaymca.com. Keep an eye out! Registrations for members will begin April 11.
Remember that even though the Y will be open until 4:00 pm on Saturdays, the pool will close earlier than the rest of the facility tomorrow due to aquatic training sessions.
