New Canaan
Connecticut
New Canaan Community YMCA Weekly E-Newsletter - February, 2 2023
Clubs and Organizations
February 3, 2023
From: New Canaan YMCAWhat's New at the Y
Sponsor a Child, Change a Life!
Facing the Future Child Sponsorship Program
Sponsorship opportunities available beginning Monday, February 6!
Since 2007, the New Canaan YMCA has proudly partnered with Facing the Future (FAFU) Child Education Center in Kibera, Kenya; Africa's largest slum. Throughout the years, our Y and our community have provided support for education, food, and care for our 350 children each year at FAFU.
The children and teachers of FAFU have become our extended family, and our sponsorship program provides individuals and families with the opportunity to make a life-saving and life-changing difference for a needy child at FAFU. Sponsorships help a fourth-grade child from FAFU floursih while contributing to one year of education and school supplies, two meals per day, a school uniform, medical supplies, and routine medical check-ups. Sponsors are offered a meaningful experience with opportunities to engage with their sponsored child through letter writing and video calls during the school year.
Become a Sponsor today with a donation of $360 for the school year. For less than a dollar a day, you can help change a vulnerable child's life! Kenya's new school year has just begun. Help us reach our goal of ensuring every fourth-grade child has a sponsor this school year.
Profiles of the children available to sponsor will be available on the poster located in our lobby and online on Monday, February 6. Click here for additional information about FAFU. Questions? Contact Diana Riolo at 203-920-1653 or by email.
Whirlwind Diving Meet
Facility Update for February 3-5
The Y will be hosting a diving meet Friday, February 3-Sunday, February 5. The Forese Family Pools and Valles Pool will operate normal schedules during this time.
Meet participants have been instructed to park off-site at Saxe Middle School.
Go Whirlwind!
Spring 2023 Programs & Activities
Make Friends & Stay Active at the Y this Spring!
Registration for spring programs and activities begins Monday, February 13 at 9:00 AM online and at the Front Desk.
Classes begin Monday, March 6.
ForeverWell Lunch & Learn
Valentine's Day Haiku Writing Workshop
Join us for a Haiku writing workshop hosted by Carin Weisman Crook, Author of Morning Haiku. Learn about the Haiku form of poetry and even write your own!
Haiku is the Japanese poem of seventeen syllables in three lines of five, seven, and five, traditionally evoking images of the natural world.
Tuesday, February 14
12:15-1:30 PM
Wagner Room
*Light lunch and refreshments will be served.
Open to New Canaan YMCA members.
RSVP today! RSVP by stopping by or calling our Front Desk at 203-966-4528. RSVP deadline: Friday, February 10.
More at the Y
Heart Health: Heart & Cardiovascular System Response to Stress and Anxiety
Stamford Health Lecture Series
In honor of February's American Heart Month, join Dr. Sandhya Dhruvakumar, Director of Electrophysiology at Stamford Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute, for a discussion about the heart and cardiovascular system response to stress and anxiety, including self-monitoring strategies using wearable devices.
Date: Friday, February 3
Time: 12:30-1:30 PM
Location: New Canaan YMCA Wagner Room
Free & open to the community! Registration recommended.
For additional information and any questions, contact Melisa Pelikan, Wellness Nurse Coordinator, at 203-920-1642 or by email.
National Wear Red Day
American Heart Association & American Heart Month
Friday, February 3: Wear Red Day
Wear red to the Y next Friday to help spread awareness about cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Americans, and encourage others to protect their hearts.
Aquianas Artistic Swimming Meet
Facility Update for Saturday, February 11
The Y will be hosting an artistic swimming meet on Saturday, February 11. As a result, the following updates will take place:
Forese Lap Pool:
Saturday, February 11: Closed 9:00 AM-5:30 PM
Forese Scooter Pool:
Operating normal schedule.
Valles Pools
Operating normal schedule.
Go Aquianas!
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 are excited to announce that we recently launched the YMCA’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) on January 25. 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
It's not too late to join the current session, spots are still available!
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
Melisa Pelikan, RN
Wellness Nurse Coordinator
Dante's Café Operated by EB222 Catering, LLC
Coffee, Smoothies, Salads, Sandwiches, Snacks & More!
Dante's Café Hours:
Monday-Friday: 7:30 AM-6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00-2:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00-2:00 PM (seasonal hours)
About EB222 Catering, LLC
EB222 offers a variety of delicious sandwiches, paninis, soups, salads, smoothies, snacks, and much more, including weekly lunch specials and weekend breakfast specials. EB222 also offers full catering services for corporate events and special occasions.
Meet Chef Enrique Blasio, a highly-motivated and professional chef with a real passion for high-quality service. Chef Blasio has over 20 years of experience in the food industry. His diverse experience expands from management of local deli and corporate cafes to working as a chef and sous-chef at five-star country clubs and exclusive catering services.
Chef Blasio will always strive to provide excellent service and an overall high-quality culinary experience. His commitment to excellence is defined as, "Anyone can cook, but unique and high-quality experience can only be provided when you have the love and passion for what you do."
Best. Summer. Ever.
Summer Camp 2023 Registration
Registration for Year-Round Members is currently available.
Registration for Summer Youth Members Begins:
Wednesday, March 1 at 9:00 AM
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) *Limited Spots Available
Camp Y-Ki: Completed Grades K-5
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 will be available online or at our Front Desk.
View 2023 Summer Camp Brochure
Commit to Fit 2023
Start Off the New Year with Fitness!
Make it your resolution to commit to fitness this new year with support from the Y! Our popular challenge is back again this year to help you find your routine and the chance to win a $250 New Canaan YMCA online credit.
The Program
Complete 39 workouts or more between January 1-April 9, 2023. Track your workouts on our New Canaan YMCA mobile app manually or through a connected device!
Any 30-minute workout counts: at the Y, outside, at home, YMCA360 on-demand and livestream classes, and more... The opportunities are endless!
The Reward
Make a commitment to wellness while feeling great, getting in shape, and building a routine to keep you motivated all year long.
The Bonus
Complete 39 workouts and you will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a $250 New Canaan YMCA online credit!
How To Join
- Download the New Canaan YMCA mobile app for iPhone or Android
- Click the Community tab along the bottom menu bar
- Click Commit to Fit 2023 under Challenges
- Click join and you're in!
Don't have a smartphone to track workouts through the app? Stop by our Wellness Center desk to receive a Commit to Fit workout tracking card.
Join the challenge and start your year off right!
For additional information and any questions, please contact Bridget Philipp at 203-920-1626 or by email.
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!
- My Playroom Attendant
- Rainbow Station Infant-Preschool Teacher
- Lifeguard
- Group Fitness Instructor
Did you know? All New Canaan YMCA employees receive a free membership, program discounts, and more!
Support for Ukraine
Click here to read more about the Y’s support efforts in Ukraine and please consider making a gift online to help provide emergency support to those affected by this crisis.
Facility Schedule Updates
Valles Dive Well
Whirlwind Diving Meet
Friday, February 3-Sunday, February 5
The Forese Family Pools and Valles Pool will be operating normal schedules during this time.
Valles Pool
Upcoming NCHS Boys Home Swim Meets
Valles Pool
Adult lap swim will end early at 2:45 PM and resume at 7:30 PM on the following dates:
Friday, February 10
Wednesday, February 15
Forese Lap Pool
Aquianas Artistic Swimming Meet
Saturday, February 11
Forese Lap Pool
Saturday, February 11
Closed 9:00 AM-5:30 PM
The Valles Pool will be operating normal schedules at this time.
Dates to Remember
Stamford Health Lecture
Heart & Cardiovascular System Response to Stress and Anxiety
Friday, February 3
12:30-1:30 PM
Wagner Room
Click here to register.
2023
Summer Camp Registration
Registration Currently Available for Year-Round Members
Registration for Summer Youth Members Begins:
Wednesday, March 1
9:00 AM
Click here to view our 2023 summer camp brochure.
2023 Spring Registration
Registration Begins Monday, February 13 at 9:00 AM
Classes Begin
Monday, March 6
Click here to view our 2023 spring brochure.
ForeverWell Lunch & Learn
Valentine's Day Haiku Writing Workshop
Tuesday, February 14
12:15-1:30 PM
Wagner Room
RSVP by stopping by or calling the Front Desk.
RSVP Deadline: Friday, February 10.
School Vacation Camp
February Break
February 20-24
April Break
April 10-14
Registration is available online or at the Front Desk.
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