Y Mention It: New Year Health Goals, New Youth and Family Programs, & More!
Dear Y Members,
Happy New Year!! 🥳
This month marks the end of my first 6 months as your YMCA CEO, and I thank you for making the YMCA a part of your life and welcoming me into your community.
Every day, the YMCA staff are working hard at being fully dedicated to quality, convenience and value for our members. We truly enjoy being here with you every day making sure that you, your family and our community have the resources and support needed to belong, grow and thrive. At the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County, you are not just a member of our Y, you are part of a cause with a shared commitment to provide positive, life changing experiences.
We hope you enjoy and take advantage of several new initiatives we have set forth during the last few months. These new initiatives include reopening on Sundays starting January 8th, a new Family Play Center, new & returning youth programs and January Health Programs.
The Y’s mission and cause of nurturing the potential of every youth, improving the health and well-being of all and improving our communities caught my heart long ago. Thank you so much for allowing me to bring my passion for the Y to this community and to be a part of the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County. See you in the Y!
Christie
Meet Your 2023 Health Goals with Us!
Our New Years plans are not that different from yours — the turning of the calendar is an opportunity for our staff to get more active, meet people, and make new friends through our community health and group exercise programs. New programs and new classes are starting very soon. Register today to save your spot!
Simply Wellness
If you've been hesitating to get started with exercise classes, we have the perfect opportunity to learn the ropes. And if you're already familiar, well then, you already know there's a place for you, too.
Simply Wellness is an 8-week program focused on the basics of fitness with a tailored workout for each class. Topics include goal setting, nutrition basics, cardio, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, balance, and how to maintain progress over time.
Simply Wellness meets Mondays January 23 - March 13. Registration is $35 for members and $65 for for non-members.
Supporting Wellness Together in the Y Weight Loss Program
Every day, individuals face harsh, prescriptive messaging on how to lose weight — to find the one workable answer out there through meal plans, diets, exercise, etc.
The Y Weight Loss Program challenges this perception by helping participants understand that they hold the answers within themselves to achieve their weight loss goals.
In a supportive group setting, participants will set these personalized goals and achieve them through small, modest changes to daily behaviors that lead to sustainable, healthy lifelong habits.
The program will meet on Wednesdays for 12 weeks to discuss nutrition, physical activity, positive psychology and more. Because it's based on the power of the group, the more people we have, the more support you'll receive — sign up today!
New in Group Fitness: TRX
We've just added a new class Monday mornings from 7:30 to 8:30 — an energizing way to start your week! TRX is a suspension training system that uses body weight for resistance. You'll get a total body workout, toning your core while simultaneously targeting your upper and lower body.
Registration for this specialized class is $6 for members and $12 for non-members. All are welcome! Sign up Online.
And don't forget our full schedule of 40+ classes every week — there's something for everyone!
Sunday Hours: 11 am to 3 pm
Starting this Sunday, you can enjoy more weekend time at the Y! We are now open for 4 hours every Sunday.
Also, our weekly table tennis group has moved their time slot and will be meeting 12:45 to 2:45 pm Sundays on the south side of the gymnasium.
New Programs and Opportunities for Youth and Families
Every Friday, the Kids Club will include a variety of activities for ages 6-12 such as arts and crafts, cooperative games, music, STEM, physical activity, and much more. Staff will help participants learn creativity, fitness, social and cognitive skill, and independence.
Program runs 6-7:45pm on Fridays from January 13 to February 17. Registration: $60 for those with family memberships, $88 for youth/junior members, and $128 for non-members.
We're introducing this exciting new opportunity for for swimmers up to age 14 who are looking to combine their love of the water and interest in sports. Although water polo is known for its toughness and endurance, youth water polo harnesses the fun dynamic aspects of the game in a safe, easy to learn way. Scrimmages and games included!
Participants must be able to pass the YMCA deep-end swim test. Six weeks of classes are $53 for those with family memberships, $66 for youth/junior members, and $117 for non-members.
- Ages 10 and under: Sundays 12:30-1:15 pm
- Ages 11-14: Sundays 1:15-2:00 pm
We're continuing our basketball basic skills & fundamentals training program as well as adding another age group! Youth who want to develop their shooting, passing, defense, on-court confidence, and more will spend an hour each weekend learning as a group as well as receiving one-on-one instruction. Registration: $40 for family members, $48 for youth members, and $64 for non-members.
- Ages 5-7: 9-9:45 am
- Ages 8-11: 10-10:45 am
- Ages 12-15: 11-11:45 am
Our room for multipurpose family fun is now open! The space features a two level indoor play structure alongside a variety of books, games, toys, puzzles, coloring supplies, and more. All visitors are welcome to use this space as long as they need. Parents or guardians are required to stay in the room and supervise.
Stay & Play will still remain an option for parents who need up to two hours of drop-in childcare for ages 3-9. Stay & Play hours are 3-7 pm Monday to Friday, 9 am-2 pm Saturday (with a half hour break at noon), and 1-3 pm Sunday. The room will be supervised by Y staff and closed to families during Stay & Play hours.
Red Cross Lifeguard Training February 18 & 19
We provide official Red Cross training and certification for those looking to hold a job as a lifeguard this year. Classes are held from 8 am to 6 pm; 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.
Afterschool Learning & Fun in YMCA School Age Child Care
In our School Age Child Care (SACC) program, children in grades K-6 have fun and make friends as they play games, make crafts, eat healthy snacks, read and receive homework help, and more in a safe, supervised environment.
We're taking sign-ups for our next session! The program serves the Ithaca, Lansing, Groton, and Dryden School Districts, and families can sign up for 3 to 5 days a week — whatever works for your schedule.
Department of Social Services subsidies are accepted. Learn more and register online at ithacaymca.com/sacc.
Full Day Fun During School Breaks
When schools are closed for breaks, we're open all day! Ages 5-12 are welcome to join our childcare staff for group games, imaginative learning through STEM activities, nutritious snacks, and more.
Like our afterschool or summer camp programs, we'll keep them active and busy for as much time as you need between 8:00 am and 5:30 pm.
Upcoming Full Day programs are scheduled for January 16 and February 20-24. We'll see you then!
Dollar Days Membership Special — Tell a Friend!
Know someone that might be interested in joining the Y? They can save this month during our Dollar Days Special!
From January 1 to 25, the first month's payment for new or returning monthly memberships will be equal to the calendar date when you sign up — for example, today's January payment would be just $6.
New members can sign up online or at our Welcome Desk anytime we're open!
Spotlight: Fitness Orientations
Members that are new to the Y or unfamiliar with our fitness equipment can receive a free orientation. Stop by or call the front desk to schedule yours with one of our Wellness Coaches.
Children ages 13-17 must have an orientation to use both cardio AND weight equipment. Children ages 10-12 must have an orientation before using cardio equipment (may not use weight equipment).
Pool Schedule
Thank you for being patient while our lifeguards help swimmers by managing lane usage — we are here both to support the needs of you and your fellow swimmers AND ensure a safe and easy lap swim time!
Note that when the pool is busy, swimmers will need to share lanes. While we would like to accommodate folks by giving everyone their own lane, this is not always possible. In the spirit of community and respect, we ask that you use care and caution when entering and sharing lanes.
If possible, we recommend daily swimmers adjust your schedule and visit at a time when the pool is less busy. This will help all of our community share a very popular space. We all have the same goal — to exercise and have fun in the interest of physical and mental wellness.
