New Canaan Community YMCA
Weekly E-Newsletter
February 16, 2023

What's New at the Y

Upcoming First Aid Certification Courses

For Parents & Caregivers and Wilderness Enthusiasts

It's not too late to join us for upcoming First Aid courses at the Y! Courses take place this weekend and next week.

First Aid Course for Parents & Caregivers (Ages 16+)

Designed for first-time parents, caretakers, grandparents, and those who need to brush up on their skills. This course covers the American Red Cross's Pediatric First Aid curriculum, certifying participants in Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED.

- Saturday, February 18; 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

- Fees: $160/member, $210/non-member

Wilderness First Aid Course (Ages 15+)

Designed for active hikers, skiers, and snowboarders, scout leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who works or spends time in remote environments. This course teaches and certifies participants in advanced skills to be used in emergencies when help from professional first responders may be far away.

- Thursday, February 23; 10:00-4:00 PM

- Fees: $200/member, $250/non-member

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

Register for First Aid Courses

Beginner & Intermediate Pickleball

Learn How to Play Pickleball at the Y!

Classes begin next week!

Beginner Pickleball (Ages 18+)

For those who are new to the sport or who have play 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.

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

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

Intermediate Pickleball (Ages 18+)

Get ready for the spring season with a class designed for those who already play and want to take their game to the next level. Using focused drilling techniques, players will learn how to **** more aggressively, volley to win hand battles, and hone the all-important third shot drop and defensive block. Good racket skill or previous pickleball experience required.

- February 23-April 6

- 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 Pickleball Classes

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!

More at the Y

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

Building a Community of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day with us tomorrow, Friday, February 17 with free coffee in Dante's Café, courtesy of EB222 Catering, LLC.

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.

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!

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.

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.