Y Mention It: Giving Tuesday, 1 Week to Santa Run, Holiday Roller Skating, and More!
Build Our Community — Support the Y during Giving Tuesday
For Giving Tuesday on November 29, we're collecting donations to help fund the Y's Membership Assistance Program.
This fund helps those who can't afford membership dues by lowering monthly payments and providing scholarships for program registration fees. It's part of our mission to make everything we offer available to everyone.
Membership Assistance is funded by our Annual Campaign, the United Way's Community Care Fund, and generous donations from our supporters. We hope you will celebrate Giving Tuesday with us by providing resources for those in need and building relationships that grow the Y community.
Santa Run Is Just a Week Away
9:00-10:30 am
Saturday, December 3, 2022 @ Stewart Park
We're in close talks with the YMCA of the North Pole to make this year's Santa Run just as special as ever!
Join us bright and early at 9 am on Saturday, December 3 at gorgeous Stewart Park to enjoy cookies, cocoa, music, and a fun start to the holiday season. Bring your most festive finery and you might win our costume contest!
The non-competitive 5K is $25 per adult participant, $20 for youth, and $45 for family registration. As always, the Family Elf Mile fun run is free for everyone.
Santa Run is presented with support from Cayuga Health System, Advantage Sport and Fitness, and Cayuga Radio Group. Sign up at IthacaYMCA.com.
Holiday Roller Skating Party
We'll continue our celebrations with a Holiday Roller Skating Party on Saturday, December 10 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Registration is just $25 for a family or $6 per individual.
Join us in the Y gym to roll into the snowy season — all are welcome!
We're Hiring Lifeguards & Childcare Staff
We are very fortunate to be a resource for so many in our community, especially our regular swimmers and the young Y members we've gotten to know in our childcare rooms.
These programs can't grow unless our team grows along with them. If you or someone you know is interested in being a part-time lifeguard, swim instructor, child watch staff member, or school age child care counselor, please consider applying today.
These are great jobs for any age, and we can accommodate a variety of schedules. Not to mention — all staff get a free YMCA membership!
Save a Life: Support Red Cross Blood Drives in December
This holiday season, unpredictable weather and seasonal illnesses can lead to a dip in donations and shortages in the national blood supply. Hospitals and trauma centers rely on a steady stock for use as soon as it's needed. Your blood donation will help meet this demand!
In December, the YMCA is hosting several blood drives here in our building:
- December 2, 1-6 pm
- December 16, 1-6 pm
- December 17, 10 am-3 pm
- December 20, 1-6 pm
- December 21, 1-6 pm
- December 23, 1-6 pm
Additionally, the Red Cross will enter all blood donors between now and the end of the year into a drawing for a $500 gift card and HBO's House of the Dragon: Complete First Season! 
Make your appointment at RedCrossBlood.org.
Family Fitness: Group Exercise for Everyone
Family Yoga
6-6:45 pm, Tuesday, December 13
Family Zumba
5:30-6:15 pm, Tuesday, December 20
Our Family Fitness is a fun way for all ages to learn about creative and healthy exercise options. Classes are open to ages 5+ and will take place in our Yoga Studio. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Sign-up is $5 for those with family memberships, $10 for individual members, and $15 for guests. Register online or at our Welcome Center during your next visit!
Holiday Swim Clinics & Private Lessons
Ages 5-12 are welcome to join instructors John, Joanie, Veronica, and Alyson for intensive swim clinics over winter break!
Daily clinics December 27-30 will focus on drill work to improve strokes, build confidence, and boost endurance while having fun in the pool. Check out the flyer for details and descriptions of the 3 skill levels.
From December 19-22, we are also offering extra private swim lessons for all ability levels and anyone age 5 and up. If you're just looking to get comfortable in the water, want to start swimming regularly for exercise, or need some personalized instruction on improving your abilities, we'll be here and ready to work with you.
Lessons will take place between 3:30 and 6:00 and registration cost is $39/lesson for those with a family membership, $45/lesson for individual/youth members, and $93/lesson for non-members.
Sign up Online at ithacaymca.com/register.
Share the Warmth @ the Y
Bring your donations of cold-weather gear and warm winter blankets to the Y by December 12! We're looking for new or gently used coats, snow pants, boots, hats, mittens, gloves, and more to support Rotary International's 30th Share the Warmth campaign.
A HUGE thank you to those who have already given. The donation bin is easy to spot in our lobby — drop off your contribution any time we're open.
Pickup Basketball
Pickup ball starts next week! From 6:15 to 7:45 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, the whole Y gymnasium will be reserved for full-court games. Ages 16+ only.
Non-members are welcome to join in for just $5.
Reminder: Join in the Get Moving, Stay Active Challenge
From now through the end of February, those who take part in group exerise classes could win one of a variety of Y prizes!
- Each group exercise class you join will earn a punch on a card (ask the instructor if you don't have a card).
- After eight punches, turn your card in at the Welcome Desk to be entered into a monthly drawing.
- There is no limit on how many cards you can complete each month. So the more engaged you are and the more classes you try out, the better your chances of winning!
Pool Schedule
Want some pointers on improving your swim technique? We can help you go farther and faster! Sign up for private lessons during the week of December 19th.
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. Exact hours will be announced soon.
