What's New at the Y

Get Ready to Save Lives this Spring

Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Courses

Learn how to keep others safe in and out of the water through the American Red Cross Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR, AED for the Professional Rescuer certification course!

March Lifeguarding Certification Course:

Saturday-Sunday, March 11-12

Fees: $450/member, $500/non-member

April Lifeguarding Certification Course:

Saturday-Sunday, April 14-16

Fees: $450/member, $500/non-member

For additional information and any questions, contact Matt Busse at 203-920-1643 or by email.

Register for Lifeguard Courses

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

Learn How to Play Pickleball at the Y!

Beginner Pickleball Classes

Beginner Pickleball (Ages 18+)

For those who are new to the sport or who have played some pickleball but are still learning. This class will help you develop more control and consistency in all aspects of the game from the serve to the drop shot. Improve the tactics and techniques that help you play longer, more exciting points.

Spots still available!

February 21-April 4; 7:00-8:30 AM

Fees: $270/member, $320/non-member

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

Register for Beginner Pickleball

More at the Y

Aquianas Artistic Swimming Meet

Facility Update for March 3-5

The Y will be hosting an artistic swimming meet Friday, March 3-Sunday, March 5. As a result, the following facility updates will take place:

Forese Lap Pool:

Friday, March 3: Operating normal schedule

Saturday, March 4: Reduced lap lanes 7:30-9:00 AM

Sunday, March 5: Reduced lap lanes 7:30-9:30 AM

Forese Scooter Pool:

Operating normal schedule.

Valles Pool:

Friday, March 3: Closed beginning at 8:00 AM

Saturday, March 4: Closed

Sunday, March 5: Closed

Gymnasium:

Friday, March 3: Closed beginning at 8:00 AM

Saturday, March 4: Closed

Sunday, March 5: Opening at 3:00 PM

Go Aquianas!

Spring 2023 Programs & Activities

Make Friends & Stay Active at the Y this Spring!

Registration for spring programs and activities is currently available online and at the Front Desk.

Spring programs & activities begin Monday, March 6.

View 2023 Spring Brochure

American Heart Month

Heart-Health Activities & Recommendations

Week 4: Self-care to Manage Stress & Anxiety

Meditation & Relaxation

Reduce stress by trying this great meditation for sleep class or many other meditation and relaxation options on YMCA360. A the Y, try a yoga or Qigong class designed to help you relax and focus on breathwork.

Get Better Sleep

Set a Schedule: Try sticking with a consistent bedtime during the week and on the weekend.

Keep it Cool: Room temperature of around 65 degrees is best for sleep.

Choose Drinks Wisely: Avoid alcohol and caffeine in the hours before bedtime. Instead, try a soothing herbal tea.

Limit Screen Time: Turn off all screens at least 90 minutes before bedtime. Try listening to soothing music, nature sounds, or bedtime stories.

Sponsor a Child, Change a Life!

Facing the Future Child Sponsorship Program

Sponsorship opportunities currently available!

The Y's sponsorship program provides individuals and families with the opportunity to make a life-saving and life-changing difference in the life of a child at Facing the Future (FAFU) Child Development Center in Kibera, Kenya; Africa's largest slum. The program is designed to sponsor students in fourth grade, where returning and new sponsors are paired with a new fourth grader each year, enabling every child at FAFU the opportunity to experience sponsorship.

Each sponsor's support provides a FAFU student with:

- 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

Become a sponsor today with a donation of $360 for the school year. For less than a dollar a day, you can help change the life of a vulnerable child! 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 can be found on the poster located in our lobby and online.

FAFU Partnership

Since 2007, the New Canaan YMCA has proudly partnered with FAFU, transforming a one-room school into a life-saving oasis with multiple classrooms, a library, computer center, playground, and medical clinic; providing education, food, and healthcare for over 350 children each year.

Click here for additional information about FAFU.

Questions? Contact Diana Riolo at 203-920-1653 or by email.

Become a Sponsor

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) *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 will be available online or 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

Commit to Fit 2023

Start Off the New Year with Fitness!

Commit to fitness 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

There are 45 days left to complete 39 workouts or more between now and 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.

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."

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!

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.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Random Acts of Kindness Week at the Y last week! Here's a photo of our community positivity quilt, filled with inspiring words and phrases that embody kindness.

While Random Acts of Kindness Week has ended, there are so many ways to spread kindness year-round. Take a few ideas from our kindness challenge:

- Smile at others

- Hold the door open for someone

- Be polite on the road

- Use only positive words

- Compliment someone

- Lend a helping hand

Facility

Schedule Updates

Group Exercise

New Class Addition Beginning Wednesday, March 1:

Group Active at 1:30 PM

Instructor: Deb

Aquianas Artistic Swimming Meet

Friday, March 3-

Sunday, March 5

Forese Lap Pool

Friday, March 3:

Operating normal schedule

Saturday, March 4:

Reduced lap lanes

7:30-9:00 AM

Sunday, March 5:

Reduced lap lanes

7:30-9:30 AM

Valles Pool

Friday, March 3:

Closing at 8:00 AM

Saturday, March 4:

Closed

Sunday, March 5:

Closed

Gymnasium

Friday, March 3:

Closing at 8:00 AM

Saturday, March 4:

Closed

Sunday, March 5:

Opening at 3:00 PM

Scooter Pool

Operating normal schedules at this time.

Dates to Remember

2023

Spring Registration

Registration Currently Available

Classes Begin

Monday, March 6

Click here to view our 2023 spring brochure.

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.

School

Vacation Camp

April Break

April 10-14

Registration is available online or at the Front Desk.

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