Y Mention It: Support the Y, Join the Santa Run, Pickup Basketball, and More!
Caring, Connecting, Renewing: Support the Y's 2022 Annual Campaign to grow our community
We know what our Y’s potential is, because we see it every day in our members, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
Our Annual Campaign is one of the most important ways we fund our Membership Assistance Program, which lowers the cost of monthly YMCA membership and program registration fees for those who need it.
This campaign is our invitation to take a hand in growing the community we’ve built. Your support will allow us to offer more scholarships and position your local Y to do more, with more.
Any amount helps. With grassroots support and participation from our community, the Y can be better than ever. Help us discover our potential by making a gift today.
Santa Run 5K and Family Elf Mile
9:00-10:30 am
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ Stewart Park
Get your running shoes ready — the YMCA’s annual Santa Run 5K and Family Elf Mile are almost here! Join us for a non-competitive race and free family fun run at Stewart Park.
As always, Santa and friends will be on hand with cookies, cocoa, music, and more. We’ll hold a costume contest, so show up in your holiday best!
Registration for the Santa Run 5K is $25 per adult participant, $20 for youth, and $45 for families (just added!); the Family Elf Mile is free.
Santa Run is presented with support from Cayuga Health System, Advantage Sport and Fitness, and Cayuga Radio Group.
Sign up at IthacaYMCA.com to celebrate the arrival of the holiday season!
Pickup Basketball Is Coming Back!
Beginning November 30, both halves of the gym will be reserved for full court pickup basketball games from 6:15 to 7:45 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
All YMCA members ages 16+ are welcome to join in for free. Guests and visitors can play for just $5.
Bring a friend — or a team!
Thanksgiving Holiday Hours
The YMCA will be closed Thursday, November 24, for Thanksgiving. We will be open regular hours Wednesday and Friday, but the pool availability will be limited:
- Wednesday 11/23: open 6 am-5 pm, small pool open 12-5 pm
- Thursday 11/24: YMCA closed for Thanksgiving
- Friday 11/25: open 6 am-1 pm, small pool open 9 am-1 pm
- Saturday 11/26: open 8 am-1 pm, small pool open 9 am-1 pm
💃 Dance for a Cause at the Y Dance-a-Thon 🕺
The Y's Dance for a Cause Dance-a-Thon will take place this Sunday, November 13, 1-3 pm.
Register to join the party and bring your friends! Your favorite Ithaca YMCA group exercise staff will lead a group dance class blending a variety of styles (Zumba, Oula, Belly Dance, and more!) for two heart-pumping hours. Join in for as much of it as you'd like.
The cost is $15 to pre-register, $20 at the door. Participation is open to all ages 12+, regardless of Y membership. Raffle baskets will also be available!
All event proceeds will benefit the Y's Annual Campaign, funding our Membership Assistance Program, and providing programming for our seniors and youth, food for families in need, and much more.
Full Day Fun: School Age Child Care during Breaks
Schools take a break — we don't! From 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on days when schools have a scheduled day off, we're here with a variety of activities for ages 5-12.
Arts and crafts, group games, reading time, healthy snacks, STEM activities, even sometimes swimming — each day is packed with fun similar to our summer day camp.
Y membership is not required. Sign up online for the next day November 23.
The cost is $35 a day for those already registered in our School Age Child Care Program, $40 a day for YMCA members, and $80 a day for Y Guests (non-members).
Winter Break Swim Clinics & Private Lessons
We're planning the return of pickup basketball at the YMCA. Wednesday and Friday evenings, anyone 16+ will be able to join in half-court pickup games in our gym.
We'll share the exact times and start date as soon as they're decided. Keep an eye on our Facebook & Instagram pages for the announcement.
Share the Warmth @ the Y
We're supporting Rotary International's 30th Share the Warmth campaign. Please donate new & gently used, clean outerwear and fuzzies:
- Coats
- Snow Pants
- Boots
- Hats
- Mittens
- Gloves
- Blankets
We'll keep the collection bin in our lobby through December 12 — donate anytime!
Pool Schedule
As noted above, our pool schedule will be affected by holiday hours and changes to swim lesson schedules. Please check before your visit to ensure that lap swimming is available.
Coming up:
School Age Child Care Session 2
November 14-January 27
For grades K-6 in Lansing, Ithaca, Groton, and Dryden school districts. Learn more.
YMCA Santa Run 5k & Family Elf Mile
9:00-10:30 am, Saturday, December 3 @ Stewart Park Santa & friends will bring cookies, cocoa, and music! Sign up online.
Holiday Roller Skating Party
1:30-3:30 pm, Saturday, December 10 @ the YMCA
Eight wheels a-spinning! Join a family-friendly roller skating party with crafts, snacks, and fun.
NEW Family Play Center — opening soon
Holiday Swim & Basketball Clinics
End of December
Intensive classes focused on improving skills, building confidence, and having fun.
Sunday Hours
After hearing your many requests, the YMCA is planning to open for four hours on Sundays beginning in January. Fill out the survey if you haven't already!
