What's New at the Y

Valles Pool Update
Facility Update for April 21-April 22

The Valles Pool will reopen on Saturday, April 22 and will operate a normal schedule.

Due to the current Valles Pool closure, the Forese Family Pools will operate a modified schedule on Friday, April 21.

Forese Lap Pool
5:45-6:45 AM: 1 lap lane, 1 therapy lane
6:45 AM-3:30 PM: 7 lap lanes, 1 therapy lane
3:30-4:15 PM: 4 lap lanes, 1 therapy lane
4:15-5:00 PM: 1 lap lane
5:45-7:00 PM: 1 lap lane
7:00-8:00 PM: 1 lap lane, 1 therapy lane
8:00-9:00 PM: 7 lap lanes, 1 therapy lane

Forese Scooter Pool
5:30-11:30 AM: Therapy swim
11:30 AM-12:30 PM: Free swim
2:15-4:30 PM: Therapy swim
6:30-8:30 PM: Free swim
8:30-9:00 PM: Therapy swim

Click here to view up-to-date pool schedules.

We thank you for your flexibility and understanding during this time and if you have any questions, contact Matt Busse, Director of Aquatic Operations & Safety, by email.

2023 Commit to Fit Announcement

Congratulations to Carolyn McDonough, our 2023 Commit to Fit challenge winner!

We would also like to honorably mention the participants who completed 39 workouts or more throughout this year's challenge.

Adam Radday
Alwin Mitchell
Amanda Sutton
Elizabeth Pacicca
Eva Saint
Gary Lesowitz
Ginger Novak
Jose Galavis
Kelsey LaPrad
Komal Juneja
Leann Sandal-Pantaleo
Lisa Monte
Nancy McKay
Pavel Lobashov
Sanish Punnoose
Sarah Coleman
Tanuja Shenoy
Terry Dinan
Yvonne Cheng

Thank you to all who participated in our 2023 Commit to Fit challenge! Congratulations on your commitment to fitness!

More at the Y

Kids Club On-Site Babysitting Now Open!
On-site Babysitting Service for New Canaan YMCA Members

We're excited to announce that our beloved on-site babysitting service is now open!

Kids Club, formerly My Playroom, is available for Y members while they use our facility, open to ages 6 months & older.

New Location!
Kids Club is held in our Kids Unlimited classroom on the main floor.

Days & Hours:
Monday-Friday; 8:15 AM-12:15 PM

Fees:
Free for those with a current New Canaan YMCA Family Membership. Please stop by the Front Desk to receive your Kids Club pass for each visit.

Non-Family Member Rates
$15.00/90 minutes. Individual day passes can be purchased at the Front Desk.

Contact:
For additional information and any questions, contact Carol Dowd, Childcare Director, at 203-920-1613 or by email.

Learn More About Kids Club

Forese Family Pool Closure
Facility Update for May 1-November 1

In partnership with the contractors who designed and installed the Forese Family pools, we have identified areas in need of repair and alterations to improve function, durability, and appearance. To address the issues we've identified, we must close the Forese Family Pool complex from May 1 through November 1.

The Valles Pool will remain open during this time with adapted schedules to support our wide range of aquatic programming. We apologize for this inconvenience and greatly appreciate your understanding and flexibility during this time.

The below temporary changes will be in effect beginning May 1:

Valles Pool Access
Access to the Valles Pool is temporarily rerouted during this time. Please follow the directional signage from the wet hallway to access the Valles Pool.

Adult Lap, Therapy, and Free Swim
Swim times will be available in the Valles Pool. These adapted schedules are available online or on the Y's app.

Youth Swim Lessons
Swim lesson information is available online at www.newcanaanymca.org/current-brochure.

Summer Swim Lessons at the Steve Benko Pool
Additional swim lessons will be available this summer at the Steve Benko Pool in Waveny Park. Click here to learn more.

Water Group Exercise Classes
All classes will run as scheduled in the Valles Pool.

Childcare and Summer Camps
Swim times will run as scheduled in the Valles Pool.

Competitive Teams
Teams will each divide their time between the Valles Pool and off-site locations. Coaches will communicate with participants directly about team schedules.

Reciprocity
As a reminder, members may also take advantage of their reciprocity benefits with other local Ys including the Wilton YMCA, Westport YMCA, and Darien YMCA. We suggest checking schedules and/or calling prior to visiting another Y.

For questions about aquatic programming, please contact Matt Busse, Director of Aquatic Operations & Safety, by email.

Strong Swimmers, Confident Kids
Spring Session 2 Swim Lessons

Registration for Spring Session 2 swim lessons is currently available online and at the Front Desk.* Classes begin Monday, May 1.

*Limited spots available for certain levels.

Due the Forese Family Pool closure, youth swim lessons will be offered with an adapted schedule in the Valles Pool and Parent/Child classes will be held off-site at the Darien YMCA.

Click here to view our swim lesson offerings for Spring Session 2.

For additional information and any questions, contact Emily Daymonde, Aquatics Director, at 203-920-1652 or by email.

New! Summer Swim Lessons at the Steve Benko Pool
In Partnership with the New Canaan Recreation Department

We are proud to partner with the New Canaan Recreation Department to provide swim lessons at the Steve Benko Pool in Waveny Park this summer!

Classes are available for ages 6 months (parent/child) through 12 years.

Classes will run June 26 to August 18 as one-week sessions that meet Monday-Friday in the morning.

Participants do not need to be a New Canaan YMCA member, but do need to be a member of the Steve Benko Pool before the first lesson.

Registration:
Registration is currently available and is available online and at the Front Desk. Click here to view additional information.

For additional information and any questions, contact Matt Busse, Director of Aquatic Operations & Safety, at 203-920-1643 or by email.

Health and Wellness Book Club
Brought to you by the New Canaan Library & the New Canaan YMCA

The New Canaan Library & the Y have collaborated to bring you a new book group about Health and Wellness!

The group meets in the the Y's Wagner Room beginning Wednesday, May 3 from 9:15-10:15 AM and will meet four times a year, additional dates to be announced.

The first book is The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert J. Waldinger and Marc Shultz Ph.D.; a perfect fit for Mental Health Awareness Month!

According to the directors of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest scientific study of happiness ever conducted, the stronger our relationships, the more likely we are to live happy, satisfying, and overall healthier lives.

Discussion Leader: Melisa Pelikan, the Y's registered Wellness Nurse Coordinator from Stamford Health. Her 30 years of experience includes treating people in both inpatient and outpatient settings, community outreach and education, clinical research, and patient advocacy.

For additional information and any questions about the Health and Wellness Book Club, contact Melisa Pelikan, Melisa Pelikan, Wellness Nurse Coordinator, at 203-920-1642 or [email protected].

Register for the Health & Wellness Book Club

Bouncing Bears Open Gym Returns!
Available for Ages 4 and Under (Pre-K)

Bouncing Bears Open Gym officially reopened Tuesday, March 21!

Days & Times:
Tuesdays: 3:15-4:00 PM and 4:00-4:45 PM
Wednesdays: 3:15-4:00 PM and 4:00-4:45 PM
Saturdays: 1:30-2:25 PM and 2:15-3:00 PM

Please note: For the safety of all, Open Gym is limited to 12 children on a first come, first-served basis. Parents are required stay and supervise play.

Location: Kid Zone

Fees:
Free with a New Canaan YMCA Family Membership or when enrolled in a Bouncing Bears gymnastics class; $20 for all others.*

*Non-members and local Y reciprocity members may not register for Open Gym unless they purchase a day pass in addition to paying admission.

Registration:
Registration is available online three days in advance.

Contact:
For additional information and any questions, contact Mason Capozza, Youth Program Associate, at 203-966-4528 ext. 182 or by email.

Register for Bouncing Bears Open Gym

Take your Game to New Heights!
Basketball Camp for Boys & Girls Ages 6-14

Join us for Basketball Camp this summer at the Y! Develop and hone your all-round basketball skills with individual and team drills, games, and more! Basketball camp is offered in six, four-day sessions for boys and girls ages 6-14.

Basketball Camp (Ages 6-14)
Session 1: 7/17-7/28
Session 2: 7/24-7/27
Session 3: 7/31-8/3
Session 4: 8/7-8/10
Session 5: 8/14-8/17
Session 6: 8/21-8/24

Fees: $220/member, $320/non-member

*Register by session. Register today!

For additional information and any questions, contact Lenwood Latta at 203-920-1634 or by email.

Register for Basketball Camp

Best. Summer. Ever.
Summer Camp 2023 Registration

Registration for Year-Round and Summer Youth Members is currently available.

Whether it's making new friends, learning how to swim, or building self-confidence, each child grows at New Canaan YMCA summer camps; developing skills and memories that last far beyond the summer. Join us for your best summer ever at the Y!

Camp Mini: Ages 3-5 (Pre-K) *Currently full, waitlist available.
Camp Y-Ki: Completed Grades K-5 *Limited spots available for certain age groups
Leader-In-Training: Completed Grades 6 & 7
Counselor-In-Training: Ages 14-15
Artistic Swimming Camp: Boys & Girls, Ages 6-12
Camp Jam for Teens & Young Adults with Special Needs: Ages 13+

Special Cares Support for Campers with Special Needs: Special cares support is offered at Camp Mini and Camp Y-Ki for ages 3-14 on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about inclusive support services offered at our camps, contact Carolynn Kaufman, Director of Special Needs Programming, at 203-920-1656 or by email.

Registration is available online and at our Front Desk.

View 2023 Summer Camp Brochure

Diabetes Prevention Program
Supportive Lifestyle Intervention Program

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or believe you may be at risk for developing diabetes, the Y is here to help you!

We recently launched the YMCA’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) at our Y in January. This 12-month, evidence-based program helps overweight adults at risk for type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles by encouraging healthy eating, increased physical activity, and modest weight loss. The program provides a supportive environment where participants work together with a trained lifestyle coach in a group setting to achieve the following goals:

 - Reduce body weight by 5-7%
 - Increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week

To find out your participation readiness, fill out the self-assessment form. For any questions, additional information, and if you are interested in enrolling in the Y's DPP program, please contact:

Eva Saint,
Wellness Director
203-920-1623
[email protected]

Melisa Pelikan, RN
Wellness Nurse Coordinator
203-920-1642
[email protected] 

Learn More

Facility Schedule Updates

Group Exercise

New Class Addition Beginning
Wednesday, April 26:

Group Centergy
at 6:00 PM
Instructor: Mariella

New Class Instructor Beginning
Wednesday, April 26:

Zone Challenge
at 6:00 PM
Instructor: SJ

View group exercise schedules online.

Dates to Remember

2023 Spring
Swim Lessons Session 2 Registration

Registration
Currently Available

Classes Begin
Monday, May 1

Register online.
Click here to view our 2023 spring brochure.

2023 Summer
Swim Lessons at Steve Benko Pool

Registration
Currently Available

Classes Begin
Monday, June 26

Register online.
Click here to learn more about swim lessons at the Steve Benko pool.

Caimans Silent Auction

Monday, May 1-Monday, May 8

Save the date(s)! The Caimans swim team Silent Auction begins Monday, May 1.

Additional information coming soon.

Health and Wellness Book Club

Wednesday, May 3
9:15-10:15 AM

Book:
The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert J. Waldinger and Marc Shultz Ph.D.

Location: Wagner Room

Click here to register.

Access YMCA360

Dante's Café Hours

Monday-Friday:
7:30 AM-6:00 PM

Saturday:
8:00 AM-2:00 PM

Sunday:
Seasonal

Operated by EB222 Catering, LLC

Lost and Found
If you LOST it, we may have FOUND it!

If you are missing any items that you think you could have misplaced while at the Y, please take a look in our Lost & Found cabinet. The cabinet is located in the Wet Hallway (on the way to the pools) at the Y. Items found include various articles of clothing, water bottles, and goggles. Please note that unclaimed items are donated to charity at the end of the month.

'Y' Not Work at the Y!
Employment Opportunities: Join our Team!

Looking for that special job in a special place? ‘Y’ not work here at the New Canaan YMCA? We have job openings!

 - Summer Camp Counselors at Camp Mini, Camp Y-Ki, & Special Cares
 - My Playroom Attendant
 - Lifeguard
 - Group Fitness Instructor

Did you know? All New Canaan YMCA employees receive a free membership, program discounts, and more!

Apply Today!