What's New at the Y

Strengthening our Community

Winter Programs & Activities 2022-2023 

Mark your calendars!

Registration for winter programs begins: Monday, November 14, 9:00 AM

Classes begin: Monday, November 28

Click here to view our winter brochure! Registration will be available online and at the Front Desk.

View our Winter Brochure

Caimans Swim Meet

Facility Update for November 11-13

The Y will be hosting a swim meet Friday, November 11 through Sunday, November 13. As a result, the following facility updates will take place:

Valles Pool:

Friday, November 11: Closing at 12:30 PM

Saturday, November 12: Closed

Sunday, November 13: Closed

Forese Family Pools: Operating normal schedules throughout the weekend.

Meet participants have been instructed to park off-site. A police officer and parking attendants will be on site to ensure parking availability for our members. Please be sure to bring your membership card to display to the parking guard.

Please support the Caimans Swim Team by visiting their concession stand open to all members and visitors. Concession stand hours are: Friday, 3:30-7:30 PM and Saturday & Sunday, 7:30-11:30 AM and 12:30-4:30 PM.

Go Caimans

Please remember, New Canaan YMCA members are welcome to visit neighboring YMCAs. For your easy reference, below is contact information for local Ys should you decide to visit a different Y during the meet. Be sure to bring your New Canaan YMCA membership card with you and check their websites for availability and schedules.

Westport YMCA

14 Allen Raymond Lane, Westport, CT

203.226.8981

www.westporty.org

Riverbrook Regional YMCA

Wilton Family YMCA Branch

404 Danbury Road

Wilton, CT 06897

203.762.8384

www.wiltonymca.org

Darien YMCA

2420 Post Road

Darien, CT 06820

203.655.8228

www.darienymca.org

Support the Aquianas!

Aquianas Artistic Swimming Silent Auction

Thursday, November 10-Sunday, November 20

Begins today! Get ready for holiday shopping with tons of items, including an Aston Martin for the weekend, artistic swimming art, wine, coffee and more!

*All bidding takes place online and closes at 12:00 PM on Sunday, November 20.

For additional information about the Aquianas silent auction, contact Jen Muzyk by email.

All proceeds benefit the New Canaan YMCA Aquianas Artistic Swimming Team

Click Here to Bid!

Holiday Gift Wrap Drive

Support our Community's Families Ahead of the Holidays

Monday, November 14-Wednesday, November 30

Please consider donating NEW gift wrap materials to benefit families in need through New Canaan Human Services. Budgets are already tight for these families and extra expenses during the holidays just add to their struggles.

Let's help New Canaan families enjoy the holiday season!

Suggested Items to Donate:

-Wrapping paper

-Gift bag

-Ribbon

-Bows

-Gift Tags

-Tape

Donation box located in the Y's lobby. All donations are greatly appreciated!

For additional information and any questions, contact Diana Riolo at 203-920-1653 or by email.

Y Winter Wonderland & Snowman Festival

Free Community Event

Sunday, December 4 • 4:00-6:00 PM

Our Y Winter Wonderland and Snowman Festival event returns! Join us for holiday fun featuring a variety of kids and family activities, including a snowman festival and live music from Jordeli Entertainment! FREE & open to the community.

Snowman Festival Details: The Y is providing free snowman wreaths for families and local organizations to decorate and return for display at our Y Winter Wonderland event.

Snowman Pick-Up: Begins Friday, November 18 at 3:00 PM through Wednesday, November 21 at 5:00 PM. Snowman wreaths are located in the Y's lobby where pick up instructions will be posted.

Snowman Drop-Off Deadline: Please return your decorated snowman to the Y's Front Desk by Thursday, December 1.

*Wreaths are available on a first come, first served basis. One snowman per family or organization.

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

More at the Y

Dinner Makes a Difference

Family Dinner Night

Friday, November 18 • 5:00-7:00 PM

Join us for family dinner night at the Y featuring a Thanksgiving feast! Event is FREE & open to our community's families.

Family Dinner Night is inspired by “Family Day,” a national movement that informs parents that the simple, little things you do with your kids make a big difference, including the importance of family dinners.

Registration is required for all participants attending Family Dinner Night and is available online or at the Front Desk.

For additional information and any questions, contact Matt Busse, Youth/Family & Camp Director, at 203-920-1643 or by email.

Register for Family Dinner Night

Achieving Greatness Together

Youth Basketball League 2022-2023

For Boys, Grades K-12

For Girls, Grades K-8

The goal of the Y-Ball program is to develop the whole basketball player; providing each participant with an opportunity to improve basketball skills, develop gameplay, and build friendships, all while having fun and fostering a love for the game.

Registration Dates: High School

Registration for the Y's 2022-2023 Youth Basketball League (Y-Ball) is currently available online on the Y's membership portal for players in high school.

-High School registration ends Thursday, December 8

Click here for league information, the 2022-2023 registration packet including required forms, and the volunteer coaches form.

Register for the 2022-2023 Y-Ball League

Mandatory Evaluation Dates: Grades K-12

Evaluations are mandatory for all Y-Ball participants in order to be placed on a team and create a league where all teams and players have a chance to thrive.

Click here to view mandatory evaluation dates on our website.

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

Introducing the Y's Wellness

Nurse Coordinator

Melisa Pelikan, RN

Meet Melisa Pelikan! Melisa is our on-site, registered Wellness Nurse Coordinator from Stamford Health. She comes to our Y with 30 years of experience in treating people in both inpatient and outpatient settings, community outreach and education, clinical research, and patient advocacy. She spent much of her time working with people in neuroscience and related specialties while also spending time in urology and infectious disease practices.

Given her career-long interest in neuroscience and the chronic nature of many of the disease processes, she developed an interest in sustainable health and wellness habits for co-existing and thriving with alterations in health. Melisa supports practical, person-centered suggestions for success in seeking and maintaining health and she recognizes and values an informed approach.

Melisa offers varied office hours at the Y for members to stop by and chat, ask a question, or get a referral:

-Tuesdays from 4:00-7:00 PM

-Thursdays from 7:00-10:00 AM

Contact Melisa at 203-920-1642 or by email.

LET'S CHAT ABOUT THAT!

New Canaan YMCA members are also welcome to join Melisa for informal discussions surrounding medical and emotional wellness on Thursdays from 10:30-11:00 AM in Dante's Cafe.

NEW! Diabetes Prevention Program

Information Sessions Ahead of January 2023 Launch

We are excited to announce that we will be offering the YMCA’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in January. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a lifestyle intervention program that can help you actively engage in moving towards your personal health and wellness goals. Participation in this program at the YMCA will connect you with a lifestyle coach and a greater community of like-minded health-seekers that will motivate you in your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or believe you may be at risk for developing diabetes, the Y is here to help you! This small-group program can help you eat healthier, find new ways to engage in regular physical activity, and lose weight, which can delay or even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Led by trained lifestyle coaches, the program strives to help participants achieve two primary goals:

-Reduce body weight by 5-7%

-Increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week

Information Sessions: November & December

We are hosting information sessions where you will have an opportunity to learn more about the program, meet the coaches, and ask questions.

-Monday, November 14 at 6:30 PM

-Monday, December 5 at 9:30 AM

If you would like to sign up an upcoming information session or are interested in enrolling in the DPP program, please contact Eva Saint, Wellness Director, at 203-920-1623 or by email

Youth @ the Y & Middle School Night

Have Fun with Friends at the Y!

Youth @ the Y (Grades 1-4)

Saturday, November 12 • 6:30-9:00 PM

Elementary schoolers will be divided into groups and led by Y staff to various stations around the Y where events will be run by specialist staff. Activities include use of the Forese Family Pool, Group Exercise Center, Wagner Room, Gymnasium, and Kid Zone.

Advance registration is mandatory and available online or at the Front Desk. $30/Members & $40/Non-Members.

Register for Youth @ the Y

Middle School Night (Grades 5-8)

Saturday, November 19 • 7:00-9:30 PM

One Saturday each month, middle schoolers get the Y all to themselves, with access to the Wellness Center, Group Exercise Center, Basketball in the Gymnasium, Forese 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!

Advance registration is available online or at the Front Desk. $15/Members, $25 Non-Members, & $30/All at Door.

Register for Middle School Night

Play Bridge, Anyone?

Aspiring Bridge Card Game Club

If you would like to help launch a Bridge Club here at the Y, please stop by or call Mary Coleman's office, Membership Director, at 203-920-1630.

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!

Rainbow Station Infant-Preschool Teacher (Full-Time)

If you love working with children, we want to hear more about YOU! The New Canaan YMCA's Rainbow Station Infant-Preschool program is looking for enthusiastic, energetic, and nurturing candidates to join our team.

Our classroom teachers work together to provide a program to foster children’s social, physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. Our childcare classes participate in YMCA programming departments, including professional swim instruction, Bouncing Bears gymnastic time, music classes and more, all within the regular weekly schedule.

Early Morning Lifeguards (Part-Time)

Calling all early birds! If you are a Rise-and-Shine morning person, the New Canaan YMCA may be the right fit for you! Flexible hours & a great part-time opportunity for students, retirees, or anyone wanting to stay actively employed while still having a large portion of their day free for other interests.

Apply Today on our ADP Job Portal!

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.