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Category: News & Announcements
10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Membership
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Whether you’ve just joined the Y, are thinking about joining, or you’ve been a member but just haven’t found the motivation to get started, here are 10 tips to help you get the most out of your Duneland YMCA membership!
Grab A Friend & Try A Class
Working out in a group might be more motivating than working out alone. Try yoga, spin, dance, Body Pump, and several other classes included with your membership! Take advantage of Free Friend Friday this month and invite a friend to try out Group-Ex classes or Open Gym! View a Group-Ex schedule here. And Active Older Adult Schedule here.
Take Advantage of the Childcare Options
Your YMCA membership includes access to Fun Zone. Caring YMCA employees are ready and waiting to play with your kiddos at no extra charge so you can work out. Your kids will have a great time in a safe, enriching environment while you clear your head and exercise. View Kids Zone hours here. One Friday a month, we offer Parent’s Night Out, a chance for you to sit back, relax or plan a much-needed night out! See future dates here.
Community Discounts
In addition to the healthy mind, body, and spirit benefits of a YMCA membership, there are also many ways to save money at local businesses! We’ve partnered with local restaurants, shops, and other businesses that offer discounts to Duneland Y members. Take advantage of trying something new or save somewhere you already love to visit! Just show your Duneland Family Y ID to receive your discount. See a full list of current discounts here! Thanks to our many local partners!
Additional Opportunities to Save
From youth sports, swim lessons, weight programs, group training, and more, members receive special reduced rates on almost everything we offer! Additionally, if you’re in the military, serve in public safety, have a special Medicare plan, or more, you may be eligible for additional savings on a membership
Enjoy Nationwide Membership
Work near one Y, but live near another? Going on a vacation? We joined with most YMCAs throughout the country to give you Nationwide Membership. This means you can visit most Y’s across the US for no extra cost.
Live & Virtual Fitness Classes – YMCA 360
Try hundreds of group exercise classes with YMCA 360, including yoga, Zumba, strength, and more! No matter where you are, you can connect with our Y community to access the best online fitness classes, youth sports skills, and healthy living resources. Learn how to get started!
Community & Volunteer Opportunities
The YMCA offers many ways to give back to your friends and neighbors through our Thanksgiving Drive, Angel Tree program, youth sports coaching, and numerous other volunteer opportunities.
Sign up for the Newsletter
Next time you are at the Y, ask to update your email address at the Member Services Desk or register for the weekly newsletter here. We send out newsletters with upcoming events and news for members 1-2 times weekly!
Make a new friend
Whether it is at the gym, in the Fun Zone, or a program, it is practically impossible not to make friends at the Y. 0ur staff has worked hard to create a community that is full of friendly and welcoming faces and places great importance on strengthening the community that we live in.
One-on-one Personal Training
We know attaining your fitness goals can be hard, but it can be much easier when you have someone there helping you and cheering for you along the way. Our personal trainers will tailor your sessions to best fit you – whether you’re 13 or 75, a fitness newbie, or seasoned athlete.
Be prepared when you join the Duneland Y to become a member of a close-knit and caring community, what some consider a second family.
Know Someone at the Y?
Join them on Free Friend Friday in August and take advantage of the sign-on discount when a friend refers you.
Free Friend Fridays – August 2023
Members – all day, any time, on any Friday in August. Bring a friend with you to work out, play basketball, or participate in a weekly program and they’ll get in for FREE! If your friend decides to join in August, we will waive their joiner fee, AND you will each SAVE 20% off your membership in September.
Learn more at the Member Services Desk, or by calling 219-926-4204
Try a Group-X Class!
Choose from Spin, Cardio, Strength, Mind/Body, Yoga, and more. Come out and enjoy your favorite Y classes and instructors with friends as you exercise and stay healthy together.
Learn something new!
The Active Older Adults Center is open Monday and Friday every week from 11:15 am to 2:00 pm. Bring a friend to Exercise, Bingo, Euchre, and Bunco. As well as Health screenings, Art classes, and Wellness Presentations!
Duneland Y Half-day Preschool at Trojan Learning Center
The Duneland Y Preschool Expands to be Part of the Trojan Learning Center – Open House to be held on August 15th.
The Duneland Y is excited to announce a new program offered in partnership with the Duneland School Corporation (DSC). As part DSC’s Birth-to-School initiative, the Duneland Y Preschool will be expanding to provide early childhood learning opportunities and support for families as part of the Trojan Learning Center located at the Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus. (601 W Morgan Ave. [Door #9] Chesterton, IN)
The currently Y offers full-time preschool programming for children 6 weeks of age to 5 years at the Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning (270 E Burdick Rd, Chesterton, IN). This existing Y program site currently serves 97 children and their families. The addition of Y preschool to the Trojan Learning Center will provide exceptional learning opportunities to young children as well as much needed support to young families.
“Bringing the YMCA half-day preschool to the Trojan Learning Center is the first step towards the Y expanding early childhood development services to children and families in the Duneland community,” said YMCA COO Shannon Spratley. “As plans evolve for the YMCA Healthy Living Campus, we see our partnership with the DSC, additional classroom space at the new Y and the Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning allowing the Y to work with more young children and support more young families in the years to come.”
The Duneland Y Preschool at the Trojan Learning Center will encourage children to reach age-appropriate developmental milestones over the course of a school year. Both AM (8:30 – 11:30 am) and PM (12:15 – 3:15 pm) Pre-K classes will run Monday through Friday. The Y will also offer a Monday/Wednesday/Friday class from 8:30 to 11:30 am for children 4-5 years old and a Tuesday/Thursday class from 8:30 to 11:30 am for children 3 years old. Children must be 3 years old by August 1 and potty trained to register for these programs.
In the half-day preschool classes, children from ages 3 to 5 will engage in age-appropriate activities that focus on the development of the whole child. The classroom environment and curriculum will challenge participants to develop cognitive, social/emotional, and physical skills. Curriculum and activities include literacy, mathematics, science & technology, and social studies. Children will engage in extensive motor activities in the gym, take field trips and explore the outdoors.
“With the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility as our guide, we work with you daily to help children have fun while realizing their full potential,” said YMCA Early Childhood Director Melissa Griffith. “At the Y, we believe that the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks help make confident kids today as well as caring, contributing adults for tomorrow.”
Registration is now open! To learn more about the program, pricing and to register, please email [email protected]
Six Tips to Keep in Mind for Water Safety
Six Tips to Keep in Mind for Water Safety!
As the weather starts to heat up, the pools, Lake Michigan, rivers, and other bodies of water start calling! While swimming can be an enjoyable activity this summer, it is important to remind all parents and caregivers of the importance of water safety. We are sharing these six tips on how children can stay safe in and around the water.
Tip# 1: Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water.
Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety – be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water.
Tip # 2: Never swim alone without a water watcher.
When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.
Tip # 3: Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water.
Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.
Tip # 4: Don’t engage in breath-holding activities.
Children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can be dangerous.
Tip # 5: Wear a life jacket.
Inexperienced or non-swimmers should always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while in or around the water.
Tip # 6: Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water.
If a child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try and save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer underwater. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them, and pull them to safety. By using this technique, children can help their friend without compromising their own safety.
Swimming is one of life’s most essential skills: the ability to swim can help save your life or someone else’s life while introducing you to a lifetime of healthy, enjoyable activity in the water.
At the Y, our swim lessons help kids and adults of all ages and abilities develop the skills they need to become strong, confident swimmers.
Join us in Five Days of Action to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, April 24-28
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As part of our commitment to protecting the children in our community, we’re participating in the Five Days of Action – a week-long campaign to increase awareness of child sexual abuse and empower and equip us all to prevent it. By taking part in this important campaign and through implementing abuse prevention practices year round, Duneland Family YMCA is committing to the safety of all children in our community.
The Know. See. Respond. campaign is back this year, tying in three impact areas – preventing child sexual abuse at both summer camp and in youth sports, and internet safety. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, U.S. Center for SafeSport and Praesidium have shared resources to support this campaign.
Know: Summer Camp
KNOWing about child sexual abuse can help adults better understand what to look for and how to prevent it. As parents, caregivers, and trusted adults to the young people in our lives, we play an important role in protecting them from abuse. This requires our commitment to continually learn and then ask questions about the safety of our loved ones. The Y – and other youth serving organizations implement a series of measures to keep the kids in their care safe. Next time you enroll your loved one in a new program, ask them about their child protection practices. For this summer, you can use this list.
See: Youth Sports
When we SEE boundaries being crossed or suspect a child is being abused, we can and should act quickly. Sports should be safe places for children to grow, both as people and athletes. As a parent, caregiver, coach, or volunteer, it is up to you to make sure any environment in which children in your care interact is free from abuse. Learn more about the signs and how you can help prevent child sexual abuse in youth sports at US Center for Safe Sports.
Respond: Internet Safety
Did you know that you don’t need evidence to report abuse—only reasonable suspicion? But even for adults, reporting abuse is hard. We don’t want to falsely accuse someone or get someone in trouble. On the other hand, reporting might be the one thing that saves a child – or children – from abuse. It is our responsibility to RESPOND to any and all disclosure, discovery or suspicion of child sexual abuse.
As adults and children alike have turned to digital tools for school, work and socialization, online safety matters now more than ever. Many online dangers put children at risk, such as cyber bullying, online enticement and more. As an adult, keeping an open line of communication with any children in your care who may access online content can be key to helping prevent sexual abuse. Learn the facts, how you can keep kids safe, and how to respond to online victimization at MissingKids.org
We take our commitment to child protection seriously and we hope you do too. Check out our protection policy here to learn more about how we keep kids safe in the Duneland Community. Visit the Duneland YMCA Know. See. Respond page for local resources and information. We pledge to protect the children we serve, and we hope you will too!
You can report abuse and neglect anonymously. Call the Indiana Department of Child Services’ Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline today if you suspect a child is being abused or neglected. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.
Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
1-800-800-5556
Do not wait for someone else to make the call. Your call may be the critical first step in protecting a child.
The New Duneland YMCA and Healthy Living Campus is on it’s way!
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Duneland Family YMCA and the Duneland School Corporation (DSC) has been executed by the Duneland School Board of Directors. The MOU was unanimously supported by the Board of Directors at their meeting on Monday, April 3, 2023.
For Immediate Release – April 3, 2023 DSC YMCA PRESS RELEASE
This MOU results from a shared vision for the future of this property, dedicated leadership, and the support of our partners. This is the first step toward a new YMCA in Duneland. We can’t wait to continue this story with our members, staff, and the Duneland Community.
“The new YMCA, the Healthy Living Campus it will anchor, and the creation of a community park will help advance the Y’s cause and stand as a testament to the visionary leadership of the YMCA, the DSC Board, and our partners.”
Dave Kasarda, CEO of the Duneland YMCA
The MOU gives the YMCA the right to renovate and build on the portion of the Chesterton Middle School (CMS) site not designated for demolition or continued use by the DSC. The MOU allows the YMCA and its collaborative partners to reimagine, repurpose and add to the remaining facility and surrounding real estate. The new Duneland YMCA and the YMCA Healthy Living Campus it will anchor are being designed to serve as an education, health, and social equity hub accessible to all Duneland community residents.
You can learn more about the new Duneland YMCA, the YMCA Healthy Living Campus, and its partners in the link below. For a better us. For a better Duneland. Tomorrow begins today!
YMCA Day of Giving 2023
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
The YMCA is launching its annual YMCA Day of Giving on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. YMCA Day of Giving is an annual one-day giving event that provides an opportunity to give to your local YMCA. The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
YMCA Day of Giving was started in 2015 by the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina and launched by the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas in 2018. In 2022, 68 YMCAs took part in the national one-day giving event. Since its inception in 2015, YMCA Day of Giving has enabled the Y to raise almost $3 MILLION in charitable gifts supporting local communities nationwide.
Funds raised this year will support the community through membership financial assistance, camperships, program funding for adults, seniors, children, and children and families, and community outreach.
Imagine what the Duneland Community would be like if…
- More kids had a safe place to learn, laugh, and play.
- More people had the guidance and tools to lead healthier, more balanced lives.
- More of our neighbors could access the support needed to create a better future for themselves.
What do you Imagine for Tomorrow?
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The Y continues to grow and evolve alongside the community they serve, bringing people together from all walks of life. Your help is essential as we adapt to our community’s changing needs. When you support the Duneland Family YMCA with a financial gift, you strengthen your community and advance the mission, vision, and values of the YMCA. As the nation’s leading nonprofit, the YMCA uses your gift to make a meaningful, enduring impact right in your own backyard.
Membership Madness
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON FOR BIG SAVINGS!
NO JOIN FEE, NO CONTRACTS, & NO LIMITS!
Stop in before the buzzer sounds to score big savings on the Y’s joining fee!
Depending on membership type, savings will range from $40-$75. Monthly membership rates apply. You’ll need to sign up in person or online. Use code “MarchMadness” to purchase online.
We Love Our Members
When you join the Y, you’re committing to more than simply becoming healthier. You are supporting the values and programs that strengthen our community. At the Duneland Y, children learn what they can achieve, families spend quality time together, and we all build relationships that deepen our sense of belonging.
Join today through February 28th with only a $14 joiners fee, AND enjoy $14 off any personal training packages. New or returning members!
YOU'LL LOVE THIS DEAL
Only $14 to Join in February
Enjoy no payment to join the Y on Black Friday – up to $130 savings!
This deal is available through Tuesday, Feb. 28th for new or returning members! Use code “LOVE” to purchase online.
$14 OFF Personal Training Packages
For existing and new training clients, enjoy $14 OFF on personal packages.
This deal is available through Tuesday, Feb. 28th. Training packages must be purchased in person or over the phone. Call (219) 926-4204 or visit the Duneland YMCA front desk.