Facility Update: The Y is closing early at 6:00 PM on Friday, December 13.
Everybody belongs at the New Canaan YMCA. We strive to ensure that all members can utilize our facility regardless of need or ability. Our inclusion and support needs programs are adapted to provide assistance allowing members with diverse abilities to participate in programs within our Y. We proudly offer programs, support services, special events, volunteer opportunities, and employment for over 130 kids, teens, and adults with special needs each year.
Through our programs, individuals build confidence, make friends, and develop independence in a supportive and welcoming environment. Our support needs department offers support aides for individuals to participate in traditional programs as ability allows, as well as a wide range of specialized programs designed specifically for individuals with special needs.
This Kid Zone program is specially-designed for families with young children with special needs. Participants are encouraged to explore different stations (i.e. ball pits, swings, inflatables, trampolines, climbing structures). Taught by a gymnastics instructor, children will be encouraged to play and will have opportunities to actively interact with their environment, explore their senses, and work on core strength, balance, and social skills. Parents/caregivers are required to stay to supervise and may join in to play along. Private therapists welcome!
Instructional swim program that is designed to focus on body position, control, water safety skills, and fundamental swim strokes. Participants should be comfortable in a body of water.
A variety of afternoon and Saturday programs for young adults with special needs! Programming includes wellness and fitness classes, like cooking, swimming, and sports. There are also a variety of classes in the arts, like theater, music, and more!
This modern inspired drum & dance program is an exciting way to exercise while having fun with friends. Each class begins with a warm-up of cardio drumming, followed by dance routines, and ends with a cool down and stretching. Each participant can request a favorite song to be added to our playlist for 45 minutes of fun-filled music and movement!
This is a run-walk fitness program designed for all abilities! It is an instructional class for YSN teens who want to run (and walk) to improve endurance and strength. Each session will consist of a warm-up, stretch, workout, walk/run ratios, and cool down. Classes will take place in the back field or at New Canaan High School’s track weather permitting, and in the Wellness Center during rain or other inclement weather.
Join us for a program designed especially for individuals with diverse needs, incorporating music, art, and theater. This program adapts stories from a wide variety of sources (short stories, classic rhymes, movies, Disney, Broadway, cartoons, etc.) into plays, which provide opportunities for peer socialization, and self-expression. Led by Music Therapist, Matt Hennessey, the session will conclude with a theater production compiling all the original works of the 8-week session.
Join us for a non-competitive sports class with friends and peer buddies that offers a variety of sports and games, with different sports offered seasonally.
A non-competitive program that is designed to be instructional for YSN teens who want to swim for fitness and improve endurance and skills. Participants must be able to swim 25 yards of freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke, as well as 50 yards continually. Class is held in the Forese Family Lap Pool (deep water). Please note: first-time registration requires Director’s approval.
Join us for a free swim social hour with friends and get some exercise in the Forese Family Scooter Pool (warm pool).
Join us for an afternoon of music and drumming with music therapist Phylis Bethel, followed by a soothing, 30-minute yoga stretch.
Our healthy living program is designed specifically for teens and young adults. This is an instructional class for those who enjoy fitness with friends. Each session consists of warm-up/stretch, workout, walk/run ratios, and a cool down. Great for all fitness levels! The class concludes with preparing and sharing a healthy snack with friends.
Community outings, dinner field trips, and enriching evening activities at the Y specially designed for young adults with special needs. Dinner included each evening.
Join the fun at Teen Scene with peer buddies while teens and young adults gather for enriching nights and special events at the Y. Dinner included each evening.
An inclusive program available at Camp Mini, Sports Camps, & Camp Y-Ki offers campers of varying limitations the opportunity to participate in a traditional camp experience with additional support for up to 4 weeks of camp at no extra cost. Extra support is offered based on availability and need.
Six-week program offered at our Y, this camp program is specifically designed to meet the needs of our participants with special needs who require additional direction and support, but do not require 1:1 or intensive behavioral and/or physical intervention. This specialized camp offers a high staff-to-camper ratio and a structured schedule that rotates weekly to offer: swimming, art, dance, music therapy, yoga, group fitness, with a personal trainer, drama, cooking, and weekly special events (i.e., African Drumming, Mad Science, and Magic Show). Camp Jam offers participants the opportunity to participate in an enriching summer camp experience while developing skills, building friendships, staying active, and most importantly having fun!
For more information on YSN programs, contact Carolynn Kaufman, Director of Inclusion & Support Services at 203-920-1656 or [email protected]
Facility Hours:
Monday-Friday:
5:30am-9:00pm
Saturday:
7:30am-6:30pm
Sunday:
7:30am-5:00pm
564 South Avenue
New Canaan, CT 06840
203.966.4528
EIN: 06-0763077
© 2024 New Canaan YMCA