- Greater Joliet Area YMCA Offering Lifeguarding and Lifeguarding Instructor Courses This Spring
You’re in good hands when you learn lifeguarding at the Y. We have been an industry leader in aquatic safety for more than 100 years, and we are excited to host multiple spring courses to help new and experienced lifeguards hone their skills in preparation for the summer. All course certifications are valid for 2 years.
AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARDING COURSE
The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over.Prerequisites:
- Must be 15-years-old or older.
- Must be able to complete a swim a continuous 150-yard swim, two minutes of treading water without the use of hands, followed by an additional 50-yard swim
- Must complete a timed swim to retrieve a 10-pound object from under 7-9.5 feet of water.
PLEASE NOTE: Participants who fail to complete the swim test will receive a 50% refund. Attendance at every class is mandatory. No refunds will be given to participants who miss classes or who are unable to meet testing requirements at the end of the class successfully.
Location: C.W Avery Family YMCA (Includes Water Park Option)
Dates and Class Times: Saturday, March 29 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.), Sunday, March 30 (9 a.m-3 p.m.), Monday, March 31 (9 a.m-5 p.m.)
Cost: $250 for Facility Members/$300 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAYLocation: Galowich Family YMCA
Dates and Class Times: Tuesday, May 20-Friday, May 23 (3-7:45 p.m.), May 24 (8 a.m.-2:45 p.m.)
Cost: $250 for Facility Members/$300 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAYAMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR/TRAINER RECERTIFICATION COURSE
The Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer Recertification course is designed to help existing Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructors (LGI) and Instructor Trainers (LGI/T) renew their certifications by reviewing course knowledge and skills. This course is required to maintain certification and is available exclusively through blended learning.PLEASE NOTE: To enroll in this course, you must already hold the appropriate Lifeguarding Instructor or Instructor Trainer certification.
Location: Galowich Family YMCA
Date and Class Time: Friday, April 18 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Cost: $110 for Facility Members/$115 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAYLocation: C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Date and Class Time: Friday, May 2 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Cost: $110 for Facility Members/$115 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAYIf you have any questions please contact Facilities, Aquatics, and Risk Operations Director Cindy Moss at 815-267-8600, ext. 228 or by email at [email protected].
- Greater Joliet Area YMCA Invites Area High School Students to Participate in Summer Day Camp Volunteer Program
Are you looking to take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change right in your own neighborhood? The YMCA’s summer day camp volunteer program is for you!Area high school students, entering grades 9-12, can now sign up to volunteer at YMCA Summer Day Camp locations throughout Will and Grundy Counties. With flexible schedules, and a variety of volunteer roles available, you will be sure to find a volunteer opportunity that piques your interest and proves to be a rewarding experience.
At the Y, we strive to create a summer day camp experience like no other. And we are proud to say that volunteers play an important role in the success of these programs. By working together, we can ensure that all children will have the opportunity to benefit from an engaging and impactful camp experience. Students can apply online today by clicking below.
To learn more about becoming a YMCA Summer Camp Volunteer, please contact:
Dori Fugate, Volunteer and Special Events Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. - Save During the YMCA’s 2025 Spring Sports Leagues Sale
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. Youth sports programs at the YMCA teach kids the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Above all, kids who participate in YMCA youth sports have a lot of fun!YMCA Spring Sports Leagues Sale
March 21-24Families that register for a YMCA spring sports league during our four day sale will SAVE $10!
Use promo code: LEAGUES25 when registering online
PLEASE NOTE: Valid at all Greater Joliet Area YMCA locations. Limit one per member, per league. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Some restrictions may apply.
Learn more about spring sports leagues available at your local Y branch by clicking below:
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football, T-Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball/Player Pitch Baseball, and Soccer
REGISTER ONLINEGalowich Family YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football
REGISTER ONLINEMorris Hospital YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football and T-Ball/Pinto Baseball/8U Softball
REGISTER ONLINEIf you have any questions, please contact:
Maria Freeh, Sports Director
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217Zach Jarosz, Sports Manager
Galowch Family YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 317Chris Interial, Sports Director
Morris Hospital YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514 - My Y Rewards Special March Earnings Event
DOUBLE THE FUN FITNESS CLASSES
Spring is the perfect time to refresh your health and wellness routine with YMCA group fitness classes. And now, My Y Rewards members will have double the fun exercising during our Special March Earnings Event!
Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members, ages 16 and up, enrolled in the My Y Rewards program will receive double rewards points for every group fitness class they attend between March 17-23!
Learn how to enroll by clicking below.
Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll also earn points each time you check-in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, you’ll earn your first 50 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.
If you should have any questions or any feedback on the My Y Rewards Program, please be sure to stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit or email [email protected].
- Morris Hospital YMCA Recognized with Partnership Award
The Morris Hospital YMCA, alongside its partners from Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers and the City of Morris, were recently recognized by the Grundy Economic Development Council (GEDC) and the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce with the ‘Partners of the Year Award.’ Presented at the GEDC and Chamber’s annual dinner on March 5, the award recognized the collaborative efforts amongst the Y, the Hospital, and the City to bring the first full-facility YMCA to Grundy County. The Morris Hospital YMCA opened its doors to serve the community in December 2024.Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair led a group of YMCA staff on hand to accept the award alongside Morris Advisory Council Chair Kevin Olson, City of Morris Mayor Chris Brown, and Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers President and CEO Tom Dohm.
“The Y would like to thank the GEDC for this incredible honor,” Leclair said. “We know that all the great things that happen every day at the YMCA would not be possible without strong community partnerships. Morris Hospital and the City of Morris have shown an amazing dedication to supporting the Y as we begin a new chapter of serving our community with this facility.”
The Morris Hospital YMCA represents the largest fundraising effort in the history of Grundy County and is now home to more than 6,000 YMCA members. Located just west of Morris Grade School on Dupont Avenue, the new 60,000-square-foot YMCA features an eight-lane lap pool, gym, a state-of-the-art wellness center, a group exercise studio, cycling studio, healthy eating kitchen, and engaging youth play spaces.
To learn more about the new Morris Hospital Y, click here or stop by today!
C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
