The New Canaan YMCA offers something for everyone—with programs for all ages and interests that bring people together to stay active, be healthy, and have fun this winter.

New Canaan YMCA Family Member priority registration for youth programs begins Monday, November 10. General registration for all programs begins on Wednesday, November 12. Registration will be available on the Y’s website at www.newcanaanymca.org and Member Services Desk (203-966-4528). Winter classes begin on Monday, December 1. Several programs are open to both members and non-members of the Y, with members receiving a program discount as a benefit of their membership. Financial assistance is also available for membership and program fees, thanks to donations to the Y.

Youth Programs

In addition to returning popular programs, the Y is excited to introduce new youth programs this winter, including Bouncing Bears classes, sports, and recreation classes.

This winter, the Y’s beloved Bouncing Bears programming expands to offer gymnastics classes for preschoolers and school-aged kids, including Building Blocks, Jump Start, and Tumbling Stars. These new gymnastics classes are designed to introduce participants to fundamental gymnastics movements while developing strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.

The Y will offer new youth sports programs this winter, including golf, floor hockey, and pickleball, all designed to help participants build confidence and sportsmanship while learning a new sport. Additional returning sports programs this winter include Backyard Sports for preschoolers, volleyball for middle schoolers, as well as the Y’s popular recreational Youth Basketball (Y-Ball) league for kids in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

The Y expands its recreational offerings with new programs for a variety of ages and interests. New programs for toddlers and preschoolers include Gym & Swim, Music & Swim, Creative Connections, and Little Picasso’s. Gym & Swim and Music & Swim are combination classes featuring time for tumbling or music, followed by free swim in the Y’s Scooter Pool. Creative Connections is a parent-child art class, followed by a group lunch where toddlers and parents alike can connect and make friends. Little Picasso’s features a new take on hands-on art projects for preschoolers, where each week participants utilize different art media. Returning preschool recreation programs include the popular Lego Legends, Space Explorers, and Storybook Art.

New this winter, the Y is also excited to launch beginner dance and karate classes, including Tiny Tots Dance Discovery for preschoolers, and Fundamentals of Dance and Karate for school-aged kids. The Y’s dance classes introduce participants to the core elements of dance, including basic technique, coordination, flexibility, and musicality, where they can explore a variety of dance styles such as ballet, jazz, and hip-hop while building confidence and body awareness. The Y’s Karate program helps kids build discipline, self-control, physical fitness, and confidence while learning real self-defense skills through proper technique.

The Y also introduces a new drop-off program for school-aged children, Parents’ Night Out, where parents can drop off their child for a fun night at the Y while they enjoy a night on the town on select Friday nights. Returning this winter is the Y’s Middle School Madness program, where middle schoolers in the community can come together to take over the Y one Saturday night per month.

The popular Ski & Board club also returns for middle schoolers this winter. Whether participants are seasoned shredders or strapping on skis for the first time, this program is all about having fun, building confidence, and making memories on the mountain. Additional returning programs include the Red Cross Babysitting certification course for ages 11 and older, where participants learn specific techniques and skills to become a confident babysitter and be certified in First Aid.

Inclusion & Support Programs

The Y offers a wide range of inclusion and support programs for kids, teens, and adults with varying abilities this winter. The organization recently expanded its offerings to provide classes for ages five and older, including Junior Cardio Dance, Junior Sensory Gym, and Junior Swim Instruction. These new programs join the broad offering of inclusion and support programs available at the Y, including swimming, drumming, a running club, theater, yoga, fitness, and recreational nights in the community.

Swim Lessons for All

The Y continues to offer swim lessons for all ages and abilities, guided by the YMCA’s national swim lessons program, designed to teach safety, confidence, and strength in the water. Swim lessons will be available for ages six months and older in a supportive and nurturing small-group or private lesson environment.

The organization is also excited to announce that it will be offering adaptive private swim lessons, led by the Y’s highly trained and compassionate staff, certified by Swim Angelfish. Through the Swim Whisperers® Adaptive Aquatics Training, Y instructors are equipped to teach individuals with disabilities, confidently guiding swimmers of all abilities toward swim success. The program is designed to support swimmers with ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome, or any type of emotional, physical, or sensory challenge.

Adult & Senior Programs

This winter, the Y is offering a new pickleball doubles program for adults to stay active and healthy while playing one of the most popular sports in the country. Pickleball doubles is open to all playing levels and offers a great way to stay active, meet new players, and enjoy friendly competition. The Y will also offer an adult men’s basketball league in the new year, with additional details to be announced. Basketball lessons are also available this winter for adults looking to improve their skills.

The Y continues to offer a variety of programs for adults to stay active and healthy. The Y’s wellness department continues to offer personal training for those looking for individualized training, as well as small group training with the Y’s certified personal trainers. The Y continues to offer reformer Pilates this winter in a small-group or private class environment, with additional days and times available for members and the community. The Y’s ballroom dancing program also returns this winter, where members and the community can connect and learn a variety of dance styles.

The New Canaan YMCA is adding a new program to its chronic disease support offerings this winter. In addition to the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA cancer survivor program, Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), and classes for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, the Y will be launching a blood pressure monitoring program this winter. According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all adults have high blood pressure in the U.S., which is a key and modifiable risk factor for both heart disease and stroke. Research shows that the process of recording blood pressure at least twice per month over a period of four months has been shown to lower blood pressure in many people with high blood pressure. Additional program information will be available this winter. Those interested in learning more about the program can contact Eva Saint, New Canaan YMCA Wellness Director, to learn more at 203-920-1623 or [email protected].

Registration

A complete listing of winter programming is available at www.newcanaanymca.org. For additional information about winter programming or registration, call 203-966-4528. For additional information about membership at the Y and to schedule a tour, contact George Bennett, Membership Director, at 203-920-1630 or [email protected]. Thanks to donations made to the New Canaan YMCA, financial assistance is available for both membership and program fees. To learn more about financial assistance at the Y, contact Diana Riolo, Assistant Director of Development & Community Impact, at 203-920-1653 or [email protected].