New Canaan
Connecticut
New Canaan Community YMCA Weekly E-Newsletter - February, 9 2023
Clubs and Organizations
February 10, 2023
From: New Canaan YMCA
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. Registration will be available online and at the Front Desk.
Spring programs & activities begin Monday, March 6.
American Heart Month
Heart-Health Activities & Recommendations
Week 1: Be Physically Active
Stay Active at the Y
Make it a point to prioritize being active this week; get extra steps in, work out, try a new exercise class*, organize a group walk, and more.
Try a new exercise class at the Y or on YMCA360! Click here to view group exercise schedules.
Week 2: Eat Healthier
Heart-Healthy Recipes
Stay tuned for heart-healthy recipes shared throughout the week on the Y's website and social media. Also, join us for free smoothie samples in Dante's Café on Thursday, February 16 from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM.
Week 3: Track your Heart Health Stats
Heart-Health Screening
Join Melisa Pelikan, Y Wellness Nurse Coordinator, for a heart-health screening including blood pressure, BMI calculation, and more on Wednesday, February 22 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM & 2:00-4:00 PM.
Please contact Melisa at 203-920-1642 or by email for an appointment outside of the above hours.
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.
Building a Community of Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness Week: February 13-19
Simple acts of kindness can go a long way! Join us at the Y as we spread kindness next week. Visit our Kindness Table in our lobby for some ideas, including:
-Help us create a Positivity Quilt! Simply jot down a note of inspiration or encouragement on one of the colorful post-it notes and add it to the quilt board. (Shout-outs welcome, too!)
-Drop off a can of food to be donated to the local food pantry.
-Surprise someone with candy and a card from the Kindness Table.
-Participate in our daily challenge posted on the Community Bulletin Board in the lobby.
More at the Y
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
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!
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 deadline: Friday, February 10. RSVP today! Stop by or call our Front Desk at 203-966-4528.
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
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 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
Commit to Fit 2023
Start Off the New Year with Fitness!
It's not too late to 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
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.
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!
-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.
American Heart Month Week 1: Be Physically Active
Exercising for at least 150 minutes per week is recommended for optimal heart health. Make it a point to prioritize being active this week; get extra steps in, work out, try a new exercise class, organize a group walk, and more.