Gateway Region YMCA

Our Summer Showcase ends this weekend, so don't miss out on new moves, new music, and NEW FORMATS! 🕺 You can contact your local branch for more details, or visit our class schedules page to plan your visit 👉 gwrymca.org/programs/ymca-fitness-classes

🚨 TOMORROW, JULY 26, is your last chance to vote for our Y for the Community Impact Award: https://bit.ly/4d3pCF9! 🚨

The Gateway Region YMCA has been chosen as a finalist for the 2024 YMCA Community Impact Award presented by Life Fitness! The award spotlights future YMCA initiatives that will impact the fitness, health or wellness of its community. The winners are chosen by popular vote, and the top three selections receive $2,500 to support future initiatives at their facility!

Our nomination highlights the recently completed YMCA Adaptive Sports Complex. Learn more about the partnership: https://bit.ly/3DpcSZO

At our Y Club Before and After School program, kids can get homework help and unwind with games and physical activities to help end the day on a high note. Enroll now and help your kid find their activity!

Sign them up for the best part of every school day at gwrymca.org/ymca-y-club-before-after-school-enrichment-program!

Anyone can drown. No one should. It can almost always be prevented. July 25 is World Drowning Prevention Day, set forth by The United Nations and World Health Organization. The Y is joining in on raising awareness as a public health issue. Visit who.int/campaigns/world-drowning-prevention-day/2024 to learn more about this global campaign, these six evidence-based interventions, and what you can do in your household and local community.

👉 For more on water safety at the Y, visit gwrymca.org/ymca-water-safety.

Check out the fourth installment of the Show Me Games with the team at KSDK News, as they go head-to-head at the South City Family YMCA in two sports invented at the Y (can you guess which two...?)! Thanks to Y staff Kimberly Melahn for showing them the ropes and highlighting youth sports programs here at the Y! Registration is open at gwrymca.org/programs/youth-sports-leagues-clinics.

As a special bonus, Channel 5 will air a segment LIVE today on the show at 10 am. Tune in to see who takes home the gold! 👀

Sponsored: The Show Me Games | Volleyball and Basketball Edition Watch the team compete head-to-head as they put their volleyball and basketball skills to the test.

There are only ✌️ more Thursdays remaining to join the Y for a $0 joining fee! So be sure to mark your calendars 📆 to join tomorrow at gwrymca.org/join! And don't forget you can TRY THE Y all of July by visiting any of our 24 beautiful Ys for FREE! 🤩

This we wanted to highlight our new Adaptive Sports Complex on the campus of the South County Family YMCA! We can't believe it's already been a month since our ribbon cutting. 🤯 Relive the day with us and check out our fun TikTok 👉 https://bit.ly/3Yi9rji

This state-of-the-art facility was established to provide opportunities to children and adults with disabilities to take part in many sports, and features a barrier-fee dugout, a synthetic turf, accessible field (named the Paul Goldschmidt Field), and an accessible-sensory-rich playground. We're excited to start the first season of Miracle League Baseball at the complex this fall 🎉 - register at https://bit.ly/3YegOIk.

Learn more about the complex and explore ways to get involved 👉 https://bit.ly/3XLo9Pc

TikTok · Gateway Region YMCA Check out Gateway Region YMCA’s video.

Early bird savings end TODAY on fall I youth sports! Register online before midnight for $15 off regular registration fees: https://bit.ly/fall24sports

This July, as we celebrate , let's be mindful and considerate! Remember to keep curb cuts clear and avoid parking in handicap spots, even if it is just to "quickly run in" to grab something you forgot, pick up your kids, etc. Every small act of respect and awareness makes a big difference in creating an inclusive community. 💙

Don't wait! Find your kid's before and after school spot. At convenient and affordable locations throughout the Gateway Region, the YMCA's Y Club Before and After School Program helps keep your child learning, growing, and thriving beyond the classroom. 📝

🌟 Healthy snacks, STEM, play, homework time, and more are all included! 🌟

Register today: gwrymca.org/ymca-y-club-before-after-school-enrichment-program

Who else is excited for the Olympics to start?! 🙋
Gold medal dreams start at the Y! 🏅 Regardless of if it's your first time stepping into our Y or you've been coming for decades, we are here to help you reach your goals – whether those goals include a gold medal, or simply living a healthier lifestyle – we've got you! 🫶

VOTE FOR OUR Y FOR THE COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD!

We are excited to share that the Gateway Region YMCA has been chosen as a finalist for the 2024 YMCA Community Impact Award presented by Life Fitness! The award spotlights future YMCA initiatives that will impact the fitness, health or wellness of its community. The winners are chosen by popular vote, and the top three selections receive $2,500 to support future initiatives at their facility!

🚨 We need you to cast your vote! 🚨 Voting ends July 26: https://bit.ly/4d3pCF9

Our nomination highlights the recently completed YMCA Adaptive Sports Complex. Learn more about the partnership: https://bit.ly/3DpcSZO

📚 Back-to-school season is coming quick (😳 even though it feels like summer just started), and we need your help to ensure every child has the supplies they need to succeed! Support our YMCA School Supply Drive by donating backpacks and other school essentials to children across the region. Find a needs list on our website (gwrymca.org/school-supply-drive) or stop by a participating branch* to learn more and make a donation! Let's make a difference together! 🤝

*Participating branches include: Carondelet Park Rec Complex - Chesterfield Family YMCA - Clinton County YMCA - Collinsville Maryville Troy YMCA - Downtown Belleville YMCA - Kern Center - East Belleville YMCA - Edward Jones YMCA - Four Rivers Family YMCA - Jefferson County Family YMCA - Kirkwood Family YMCA - Mid-County Family YMCA - Monroe County YMCA - HTC Center - O'Fallon Illinois YMCA - O'Fallon Missouri YMCA - RiverChase YMCA - South City Family YMCA - South County Family YMCA - St. Charles County Family YMCA - Tri-City YMCA Youth Development Center - Wildwood Family YMCA

July is Disability Pride Month (commemorating the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990), and we're happy to spotlight the Gateway Region YMCA Inclusion and Adaptive Support Services throughout the month! Next up - meet Lebo! 👋 Lebo is a fantastic athlete involved in our YMCA adaptive sports programs! His favorite program he has done so far is adaptive rock climbing. Lebo is so strong and enjoys working out at the Y with his cousin.

FUN FACTS:
🇿🇦 Lebo was born in South Africa
⛺️ He enjoys camping and looking at RVs
🍔 He loves cheeseburgers

At the Y, everyone deserves the chance to participate and succeed. That's why we offer comprehensive inclusion and adaptive support services across various programs, from fitness, swimming, and adaptive sports to day camp, overnight camp, child care, and more. Learn more 👉 gwrymca.org/inclusion-and-adaptive-support-services

Check out this great article from the Community Rec Magazine on the rise of esports and how it's transforming recreation (all while highlighting our Y's esports programs ☺️): https://communityrecmag.com/getting-ahead-of-the-game-with-esports/

🎮 Learn more about esports at the Y, where youth can develop teamwork, strategy, and leadership skills: https://gwrymca.org/esports

Getting Ahead of the Game With Esports Learn how community rec centers across the U.S. are seeing success with esports programming and development.

At our Y Club Before and After School Programs, kids can get homework help and participate in fun STEM and arts activities that will ensure that every school day begins and ends with a smile. 😊 Enroll your child today and help your kid(s) find their fun and boost their achievement! 🏆: https://bit.ly/3We8bMw

Touchdown for kindness! Last week, 10 YMCA kids, part of our South County Flag Football team, enjoyed a $200 shopping spree with NFL Rams running back Kyren Williams, courtesy of DICK'S Sporting Goods!

Nothing beats seeing those smiling faces! 😊

Early bird savings end next Monday for Fall I youth sports! Save $15 when you register this week: https://bit.ly/fall24sports

While you're there, registration is also open for Fall II leagues. Our Fall II session runs November 2 - December 14.

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 The Gateway Region YMCA's Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program is making headlines in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch! Our incredible teens are gaining leadership skills, career training, and giving back to the community, all while earning a salary. From running a roadside produce stand to participating in various workforce development programs, these young leaders are setting themselves up for a bright future. 🌽🍉

Check out the full article to see how our CIT program is empowering St. Louis teens and creating a pipeline of new talent! 👇



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Summer programs offer paid career training for St. Louis teens With career training, teens get a jump-start on opportunities in fields including agriculture, medicine, science and construction.

☀️💧 Summer III swim lesson registration is NOW OPEN! Lessons begin the week of July 29: https://bit.ly/summer24swim

Any age, any experience level is welcome in our progressive curriculum of swim stages. Find your stage here: gwrymca.org/swim-lesson-finder

Don't forget! Tomorrow, July 13 at 10 am, families and youth are invited to experience the NEW basketball courts at Forest Park! 🏀 This free dedication event will also include music, food, family activities, cool treats, basketball games, and more until about 4 pm.

See the full schedule and sign up for inaugural games here 👉 https://www.forestparkforever.org/basketball

Less than 1 month to register for Fall I youth sports, including Soccer for our CITY, our partnership with St. Louis CITY SC and Together Credit Union. Kids participating in soccer this fall at our 7 partner Y's will receive a jersey featuring the CITY SC crest and a free soccer ball. Our coaches teach a wholistic curriculum developed by CITY SC to teach technical and emotional skills. Eligible youth can participate at a reduced rate of $5 for Y members and $10 for nonmembers. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3pF0TnK

Our Y Club Before and After School Programs provide a safe, enriching, and fun environment for kids to thrive beyond the school day. 🍎 We help students excel beyond the bell!
Learn more and help your kid find their after school spot 👉 https://bit.ly/3We8bMw

YMCA Teen Camp had a great time handing out fresh produce at the Bayer YMCA today! 🥕 🍎 Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

Caring for your child is your top priority, and it's our priority as well. 🩷

When you drop off your child at Mid-County Family YMCA's Minier Early Childhood Education Center, you can trust that your little one is in a safe and stimulating environment.

👉 Now enrolling as young at 6 weeks. Learn more: gwrymca.org/mid-county-ymca-early-childhood-education

$15 in savings ends Monday for winter youth sports! Register now for our winter leagues: https://bit.ly/winter24sports

Looking for a fun experience to gift your child this year? 🎁 Buy them some goggles 🤿 and a session of swim lessons at the Y 🏊! It's a gift (and a skill) that will last forever and one they'll never tire of: https://bit.ly/winter24swim