Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

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YMCA BE THE GOOD Gala Slated for October 12

Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

Mark your calendars and plan to join the Greater Joliet Area YMCA for the BE THE GOOD Gala on Saturday, October 12, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodéo Drive. Festivities will include dinner, silent and live auctions, raffles and live entertainment. Exciting sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $10,000 to $50, with corresponding benefits are now available. Funds raised from the BE THE GOOD Gala will benefit the YMCA’s scholarship fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay. For more information on this year’s Gala, please contact the Y at (815) 729-9638 or visit our event headquarters.

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Eating Right: Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Zucchini and Feta

A Healthy Recipe from Our Partners at Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers

Earlier this week, staff from Morris Hospital’s Nutrition team visited the Morris Community YMCA and shared a healthy recipe and samples with members.  If you missed the opportunity to sample this tasty side-dish, be sure to check out this easy-to-follow recipe to try at home!

Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Zucchini and Feta

Cook time: 10 minutes

Yield: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS:

    • 6 cups, whole grain farfalle (bowtie) pasta
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 whole zucchini
    • 1 cup grape tomatoes
    • 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
    • 1 cup, crumbled feta cheese

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Cook 6 cups farfalle pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water until completely cool. Place pasta in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
  2. Spiral zucchini using a vegetable spiralizer or dice zucchini into ¼ inch pieces. Add zucchini to mixing bowl and toss to combine.
  3. Slice 1 cup grape tomatoes in half lengthwise. Add grape tomatoes to mixing bowl and toss to combine.
  4. Add olive oil, lemon juice, ground black pepper, parsley, and feta cheese into the mixing bowl. Toss to combine.

 

Cover mixing bowl and place in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to chill before serving.

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Healthy Summer Camp Snacks and Lunches

YMCA camp promises action-packed and adventure-filled experiences, which means your child will need the proper nutrients to power through their busy summer days.  As we gear up for an exciting summer camp season, we’ve ‘cooked up’ some healthy food options for you to consider when packing your child’s summer camp snacks and lunches.

If you’re looking to pack a healthy meal for your camper, you may want to consider these easy-to-pack options:

Snacks

  • Fresh fruit
  • Cheese
  • Greek yogurt
  • Nut-free granola
  • Vegetables

If you’d like to include a sweet treat in your child’s lunch, consider picking one special day each week to include a sweet surprise.  For additional healthy snack options, check out this great article, courtesy of MOMables.com.

Lunches

  • Sandwich kabobs
  • Avocado chicken salad
  • Whole wheat waffle sandwich
  • Hummus and pita bread
  • DIY Lunchables

To learn more about these creative lunch ideas, visit Familyfreshmeals.com.

Did you know the Y is on Pinterest?

Follow us on Pinterest to check out some of our camp director’s favorite summer camp resources!

If you have questions about summer day camp, be sure to speak with your local Y’s Youth and Family Director during your next visit.  Or, you can learn about all our summer camp opportunities by visiting www.jolietymca.org.

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Meet Sports Director Chris Interial

At the Y, we understand that when kids play sports, they do more than just exercise.  Besides being physically active, they develop higher self-esteem, perform better in school and work better in groups.  The Y’s youth sports programs go above and beyond teaching the fundamentals of the game by emphasizing the importance of teamwork.  And, it’s our dedicated sports instructors that help to guide and train our young athletes at the Greater Joliet Area YMCA.

In recent weeks, you may have seen a new face around the Morris Community YMCA.  That new face belongs to long-time Y staffer and the Morris Y’s new Sports Director Chris Interial.   Interial first began his Y career in 2009 as a Building Supervisor and Sports Instructor at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA in Plainfield.  As a former collegiate athlete and sports enthusiast, he quickly found his niche coaching kids in the Y’s Youth Sports programs.

Since joining the Greater Joliet Area Y team, Interial has spent most of his time working with local young athletes. And, he has demonstrated a true passion for youth development through organizing countless youth sports programs in Plainfield, and most recently in Morris.  He and his sports team have an exciting summer planned with a variety of summer sports camps, which will kick off on Monday, June 3.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Interial: I grew up in Decatur, IL and I am the oldest of five children.  Sports have always played a major role in my life. I grew up playing basketball, baseball, football, and golf.  I even went on to play baseball in college at Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL, and then at Millikin University in Decatur, IL.

Q: What are you passionate about in life?

Interial: I am passionate about coaching and helping others.  I enjoy seeing a kid who is very passionate about a sport and watching him/her evolve as an athlete.

Q: How did you find the Y?

Interial: My mom worked at the Y and I was a Y member.  One night, I was playing basketball and I found out the Y was hiring.  I enjoyed coaching sports and working with kids, so I figured why not?  Looking back, that one night was the beginning of what I hope will be a long career at the YMCA.

Q: As the new Sports Director at the Morris Y, what exciting programs do you have planned?

Interial: In addition to our summer sports camps, I am looking to introduce a number of new sports programs for preschool and kindergarten-aged children in the Morris and Grundy County.  And, I look forward to enhancing the Y’s great sports programs that are already established throughout the community.

Q: What role do you believe sports plays in youth development?

Interial: Sports teaches kids how to work with others and be part of a team.  They get to build social skills outside of school and have new experiences.

Q: What are some of your favorite professional sports teams?

Interial: I am definitely a Chicago Cubs and a Dallas Cowboys fan!

As a reminder, there is still time to register for sports camps at the Morris Y. To learn more about summer sports camps, please visit the Y’s website or stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit.  If you have questions about summer camps or the Y’s youth sports programs, you can stop by Interial’s office the next time you visit the Morris Community Y.  Or, you can email him directly at [email protected].

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Connecting with Our Community: We’re Back on Pinterest

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Pinterest page has a fresh look and brand new pins waiting to be shared! Be sure to check out our new look today and follow us as we pin exciting family-friendly activities, DIY projects, recipes, exercise tips, and so much more!

Stay Connected
Don’t forget to stay up-to-date with the Y online and through our social channels!

Facebook: Avery Y, Galowich Y, Morris Y, Smith Y

Twitter Instagram YouTube Y Blog
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National Water Safety Month: Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe In and Around Water

National Water Safety Month

May is National Water Safety Month, which aims to raise awareness about the well-being of individuals around bodies of water.  Swimming is not only a great physical activity, but it’s also a popular pastime enjoyed by families throughout the summer.  And, with drowning being the leading cause of death among children, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA encourages you and your family to practice water safety year-round.

If you’re looking to help keep your family safe around the water, you may want to consider these helpful tips before or during your next trip to the pool:

Sign-Up for Swim Lessons

Enrolling your child in swim lessons at a young age is extremely beneficial.  Children, ages 1-4, have a decreased risk of drowning when they’ve participated in swim lessons.  And, as an adult, it’s always great to take a refresher course or ‘dive’ into swim lessons yourself.

Did you know the Galowich Family YMCA offers a learn-to-swim program for adults? 

The Y’s ‘No Fear Fridays’ swim program is underway!  Throughout the month of May, adults, ages 18 and up, are invited to learn basic swim skills and improve their health and well-being during this new class on Fridays from 9:15-10 a.m. at the Galowich Family Y, located at 749 Houbolt Road in Joliet.

Swim with a Friend

It’s important at any age to have a friend or family member accompany you while swimming.  The risk of drowning can happen at any time, so having a friend or family member close by is important in case of an emergency.

Get Certified or Re-Certified in CPR

Understanding CPR is an excellent life skill to have, and is especially important when you’re around water.  Being able to perform CPR during a medical emergency can help to save a life.  The YMCA offers CPR classes at its Joliet and Plainfield locations.

To learn more about CPR classes at the Y, visit the Y’s website.

Have a Phone Available for Emergencies

Whether you’re heading to the beach or the pool, be sure to have the ability to contact 911 if an emergency should arise.

 

To learn more about water safety, check out this great article, courtesy of the American Red Cross.

As a reminder, summer swim lessons will get underway on Monday, June 3.  Families are invited to take advantage of the Y’s Early Bird offer and save $5 on Summer 1 swim lessons through Tuesday, May 28. To learn more about swim lessons at the Y, please visit the Y’s website or contact your local YMCA’s Aquatics Director.

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