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New Canaan YMCA Y Weekly E-Newsletter September 21, 2023

Clubs and Organizations

September 25, 2023

From: New Canaan YMCA

What's Happening at the Y

New Moves, New Music!

Group Exercise Launch Party
Save the Date! Saturday, September 23

Join us for our Group Exercise Launch Party featuring our Saturday class line-up with new choreography and music in our MOSSA classes!

Bring a friend and get ready to sweat together, plus, all attendees will be entered in a raffle for the chance to win special Y prizes!

FREE & OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY!

Class Line-Up:

8:00 AM Group Power* (Group Exercise Center)

8:00 AM Zone Challenge (Zone)

8:00 AM Barre (Mind Body Center)

9:00 AM Group Fight* (Group Exercise Center)

9:00 AM Pilates (Mind Body Center)

10:00 AM Group Active* (Group Exercise Center)

10:15 AM Power Yoga (Mind Body Center)

11:00 AM Zumba (Group Exercise Center

MOSSA classes

Questions? Contact Tetiana Kokorska by email.

TRY THE Y FOR FREE
On Saturday, September 23, the New Canaan YMCA is open to the community all day.

NEW MEMBER OFFER

Join the Y on September 23 and have your joiner fee waived! Learn more at our Member Services Desk.

Learn More

Hunger Action Month Food Drive Benefitting the New Canaan Food Pantry

In awareness of September's Hunger Action Month, please join us in supporting the New Canaan Food Pantry's fight to stop hunger in our community!

Please consider donating non-perishable food items or items recommended below. All donations are greatly appreciated!

Accepting Food Donations Now-September 30

- Boxed Oatmeal
- Pancake Mix
- Boxed Non-Refrigerated Milk
- Cereal
- Boxed Mac & Cheese
- Apple Sauce
- Canned Fruit
- Mayo, Ketchup, & Mustard
- Salad Dressing
- Ritz & Saltine Crackers
- Boxed Brownie Mix
- Kid Snacks
- Breakfast-to-Go Snacks (small boxed/cup cereals, granola bars, trail mix, etc.)

Please drop off donations to the collection box in the Y's lobby. Thank you for your support!

Calling All Middle Schoolers!

Fall Programs & Activities for Grades 5-8

Join us for upcoming programs and activities at the Y for grades 5-8!

Middle School Night:
Saturday, September 30; 6:30-9:00 PM

One Saturday a month middle schoolers get the Y all to themselves! Have fun in the Wellness Center, Group Ex Center, Basketball Gym, Valles Pool, and Wagner Room. Not only will there be plenty of fun games and activities, but also a concession stand with snacks, drinks, and pizza.

Upcoming Dates: October 7 & November 4

New Middle School Recreation Programs Percussion Power
Try the first 2 weeks for free (9/27-10/4)
Session: Wednesdays, 10/11-11/15

Time: 4:00-4:30 PM

Step into the mesmerizing world of beats and rhythms with our teen percussion program! Unleash your inner drummer as you explore a diverse array of percussion instruments.

Circle of Song

Try the first 2 weeks for free (9/28-10/5)

Session: Thursdays, 10/12-11/16

Time: 4:00-4:30 PM

Join our warm and inclusive music community, where you'll collaborate with fellow aspiring middle school musicians, and celebrate the beauty of acoustic sounds of folk music.


Middle School Master Crafters
Session: Saturdays, 9/23-11/20
Time: 10:00-11:30 AM

Crafts for middle schoolers that focus on refining existing interests, new skills, and seeing your surroundings through an artistic mindset. Try multiple projects that revolve around making items for decorating your room like nature mobiles, suncatchers, and 3D name plates to hang in your window.

View our fall brochure online and register today!

Registration

Registration is currently available online and by stopping by or calling our Member Services Desk at 203-966-4528.

Register Today


Through Your Looking Glass

Student Social Justice Art Showcase by Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R.)

We're excited to share that the Y has been offered a dedicated corner at the "Through Your Looking Glass" Student Social Justice Art Showcase taking place next month!

Students in all grades, including college, from all towns in Fairfield County, are invited to create and submit art that reflects the social justice topics that matter most to them today!

Art can include any medium from paintings, drawings, photography, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry, videos/film (including TikTok!), or architectural renderings

Any social justice topic

Must write the story behind your art's social justice meaning

Individual or group projects welcome

All art will be featured at an in-person showcase celebration at the Carriage Barn Arts Center (this is not a competition)

Looking for inspiration? Check out last year's student art and stories at star-ct.org/showcase.

Important Dates & Registration:

October 23: Art & release form due.

October 28: Showcase opening reception.

If interested in submitting artwork through the Y, contact Diana Riolo, Assistant Director of Development & Community Impact, at 203-920-1653 or by email.

Learn More

More at the Y

Celebrating Hispanic Americans

Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15

Join us as we celebrate the many contributions of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society!

September 18-October 15

Participate in the Hispanic Heroes & Heroines Scavenger Hunt and be entered to win a $25 gift card to EB222 in Dante's Cafe!
Pick up your entry form and directions at the Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) table located across from the Member Services Desk. All ages are encouraged to participate!
Help yourself to a coloring page of a famous Hispanic American. Take your artwork home or leave it for us to display!

September 18-October 4:

Help us create a Papel Picado banner! Materials and instructions can be found in the lobby.

September 24-October 1:

Join us at our Zumba classes, dedicated to Latin music all week long! Class schedules are posted outside of the Group Exercise Center and can be found online.

October 4: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM

Complimentary empanada tasting by EB222 Catering in Dante's Cafe


Reclaim the Ride Spinathon

Benefitting the New Canaan LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Program
Sunday, October 21 | 11:00 AM

Join us as we support the New Canaan LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program and celebrate 10 years of serving our community's cancer survivors!

THE RIDE

An hour-long, high-energy spin party in support of our community's most inspiring warriors!

All fitness levels and experiences welcome!

THE INSPIRATION

Ride for yourself, ride for a loved one, or ride for the 150+ cancer survivors in our community who have become stronger through this free, life-changing program!

THE GOAL

$25 registration fee plus a $50 fundraising goal (Fundraise on your own or we'll help you create an easy-to-use fundraising page!)

All proceeds will benefit the New Canaan LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program!

STRONGER TOGETHER

This special event is in partnership with the Darien YMCA and Wilton YMCA who will be hosting simultaneous rides for their own community LIVESTRONG programs!

Learn More & Register Today


Calling all 7th & 8th Graders!

FIT Pass Program Spots Available (Free with a Family Membership!)

Attention Parents of 12-13-year-olds:

Back to school means back to the Y! Don't forget to register your teens for FIT Pass training to allow them to use the Wellness Center from 2:00-5:00 PM daily, or at any time with you.

As a reminder, the Wellness Center is open to members ages 14 years and older and FIT Pass holders.

Note: FIT Pass privileges do not include use of the Zone.

Register for FIT Pass Training

Childcare Spots Available

Rainbow Station Preschool & Kids Unlimited After-School Programs

Spots are available in our Rainbow Station Preschool's 3's and 4's classrooms! Those interested can contact Cathy McClure, Childcare Director, by email.

Spots are available in our Kids Unlimited after-school program for grades K-6! Those interested can contact Kristen Godin, Assistant Childcare Director, by email.

Learn More About Child Development Programs

Bouncing Bears Open Gym Has Returned

Available for Ages 4 and Under (Pre-K)

Days & Times:

Tuesdays: 5:30-6:30 PM

Wednesdays: 12:15-1:00 PM

Thursdays: 3:15-4:00 PM

Fridays: 11:30 AM-12:15 PM, 12:15-1:00 PM

Saturdays: 2:00-2:45 PM, 2:45-3:30 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.

Get Certified This Fall!

Red Cross Certification Programs

In addition to our new programs, the Y also offers additional Red Cross certification courses for ages 11-18+!

Red Cross Babysitting (Ages 11-15)

Dates: 9/30 & 11/15

Lifeguarding Recertification (Ages 15+)

Dates: 11/7

For additional information and any questions, contact Matt Busse, Director of Aquatic Operations & Safety, by email.

Register for Red Cross Programs


Health and Wellness Book Club

Brought to you by the New Canaan Library & the New Canaan YMCA

Join us for our next Health and Wellness book club meeting!

Wednesday, September 27; 10:00-11:00 AM

We will discuss Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

New York Times bestselling author James Clear reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. Copies of the book are available for loan at the library.

Location: Williams Room

Open to the community. Register today!

Please note: Wednesday, September 20 is currently full.

For additional information and any questions, contact Melisa Pelikan, Y Wellness Nurse Coordinator, by email.

Register for Health & Wellness Book Club

Kids Club On-Site Babysitting
Available for Ages 6 Months or Older


Kids Club drop-in babysitting is available for Y members while they use our facility. Children must be 6 months or older and able to sit independently.

Fall Location: Kids Club will be located in the Y's Kids Unlimited space on the main level.

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

Fees: Kids Club is free for those with a current Family Membership and $15.00/90 minutes for all other members.

Contact: For additional information and any questions, contact Davie Cedela at 203-920-1641 or by email.


'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!

- Kids Club On-Site Babysitting Staff (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-12:30 PM)
- Kids Unlimited After School Childcare Staff (Monday-Friday 2:30-6:00 PM)
- Rainbow Station Infant-Preschool Childcare Assistant Teachers (Full-Time & Part-Time)
- Wellness Associate
- Lifeguards (Early Morning & Afternoon)
- Aquatic Instructor
- Artistic Swimming Coach

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

Apply Today