Y Mention It: Y Kids Club, Holiday Basketball and Swim Clinics, 2023 Program Guide, and More!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County!
Wishing all of you a wonderful and meaningful Holiday season. Stay safe and warm, and we'll see you back on December 28 when our end of the year major project is completed.
We have enjoyed seeing new faces and welcoming back so many that we missed during the pandemic — we are pleased that you've returned to your home of wellness and family. Our programs continue to expand and adapt based on what our community is seeking, and the new year will bring even more!
Y Kids Club for Ages 6-12
The all-new Y Kids Club will meet 6:00-7:45 pm every Friday, Jan 13 - Feb 17 for all types of fun! We're planning arts and crafts, cooperative games, STEM activities, reading time, board games, music, and more.
Y staff will help kids develop creativity, fitness, social and cognitive skills, and independence while giving parents time for whatever they’d like to do on a Friday evening.
Cost: $60 for family members; $88 for youth members; $128 for non-members.
Holiday Basketball Clinics
Join YMCA staff instructors for drill work and practice to improve fundamentals and develop skills and confidence on the court.
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Ages 5-7: 9-10:30 am, Dec 28 & 30
For those looking to learn the basics of dribbling, passing, and shooting. -
Ages 8-11: 10:45 am-12:15 pm, Dec 28 & 30
For those comfortable with basic skills and looking to hone their game. -
Ages 12-15: 12:30-2:00 pm, Dec 28 & 30
For those looking to improve shooting, defensive posture, court awareness, and more. -
Ages 16+: 9-11 am, Dec 31
For adults to learn skills to play non-competitively with friends or family.
Registration: $20 for family members; $28 for individual/youth members; $40 for non-members. Sign up at ithacaymca.com/register or at our Welcome Desk.
And Holiday Swim Clinics
Ages 5-12 are welcome to join instructors John, Joanie, Veronica, and Alyson for intensive swim clinics over winter break!
Daily clinics December 28-30 will focus on drill work to improve strokes, build confidence, and boost endurance while having fun in the pool.
- CLINIC 1, 1:00-1:55 pm: For beginners who can not yet swim 25 yards independently. Participants will drill in the small pool to focus on floating, gliding, and rhythmic breathing.
- CLINIC 2, 2:00-2:55 pm: For intermediate swimmers who can perform at least 12.5 yards independent front crawl and backstroke. Focus will be on improving front crawl and backstroke technique, building endurance, and learning breaststroke.
- CLINIC 3, 3:00-3:55 pm: For advanced swimmers who can swim at least 50 yards independently. Class will focus on skill drills for three of the more difficult strokes to master: breaststroke, butterfly, and elementary backstroke.
Registration for the 3 days is $24 for those with a family membership, $30 for individual memberships, and $36 for non-members. Sign up online at ithacaymca.com/register.
2023 Session 1 Program Guide
There's a whole lot coming up at the Y! We collected all of our programs in one place, so you can reference it anytime, easy.
The link opens as a pdf — feel free to print 2-sided and share with a friend!
Y Weight Loss Program
In 2023, reach your wellness goals with us! No gimmicks, no restrictive approaches.
Why the Y Weight Loss Program?
- It’s Empowering: We give you the tools to design weight loss goals that will work for you.
- It’s Supportive: We harness the power of the group to support, encourage, learn, and solve problems.
- It’s Personal: We help you define what success looks like.
Join today and start creating lasting change! The program will meet January 18 through April 5 on Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 pm. For ages 18+.
Simply Wellness
Looking to get more active in 2023? Learn the basics of fitness and wellness through a special series of group exercise classes! Each one will feature a workout tailored to suit the week's theme.
Topics include goal setting, nutrition basics, cardio, muscular strength, endurance, mind/body, core and balance, and tips for sustaining the progress you've made.
Classes take place Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, January 23 through March 13. Cost is $35 for Y members, $65 for non-members. Register online.
Warmer Days Are Coming! Sign up for the Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course
Anyone who is interested in holding a job as a lifeguard in 2023 should sign up for our February Lifeguard Training Course. This past year, a shortage of lifeguard certifications led to pool closures in many communities. You can help keep pools open this year — even take a few shifts each week here at the Y!
Classes are held from 8 am to 6 pm February 18 and 19. Participants must attend all sessions and pass skills test and written and practical exams to gain their certification, which includes CPR/AED/First Aid.
The course is $300 for YMCA members, $350 for non-members. For more information or to set up an appointment to complete the prerequisite skills assessment, contact Emily Richardson, Red Cross Coordinator: erichardson@ithacaymca.com.
A note to our regular swimmers: In the coming months, our pool schedule will be affected as we plan more of these important lifeguard training sessions. We will need to close lanes or block out times to train water safety staff so that more pools are open for more hours in 2023.
You can be part of the solution by signing up for a lifeguard class and helping ensure our own pool can stay open consistently season after season. Don't forget — all staff get a free Y membership!
Program Spotlight: TRX
TRX is a super fun suspension training system that uses body weight for resistance. The TRX allows you to get a total body workout, toning your core while simultaneously targeting your upper and lower body.
Classes will be held Mondays from 7:30 to 8:30 am. Registration is $6 for members and $12 for nonmembers. All skill levels are welcome!
Warm Fuzzies Donation Drive
We will still be collecting cold weather gear for people in need through January 13!
Anytime we're open, you can donate hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, earmuffs, and anything else that will keep someone in our community warm through the winter.
All sizes and styles are welcome; everything collected will be donated to local shelters.
Pool Schedule
We've posted our pool schedule for next week as well as the schedule for the full session beginning January 2. Check it out!
