‘TIS THE SEASON AT THE YMCA OF LINCOLN
DECEMBER 2023
INSIDE THE ISSUE
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE YMCA
For Your Wellness
As we celebrate the holiday season, we are reminded of how thankful we are for our wonderful members, volunteers, and program participants. You are what makes the Y such a special place for our community, and we wish you a wonderful holiday season ahead.
Road to Wellness YMCA360 Teen Fitness Training
Celebrate with the 12 “Y’s” of Christmas 1. Try out the new fitness equipment we’ve invested in this year
For Your Family Upcoming YMCA Holiday Events Out of School Days YMCA Youth Sports Parents Night Out
2. Climb the Cooper Y’s Climbing Wall 3. Sign up for the Youth Sports Esports Tournament on January 6 4. Register for New Year’s Live at YMCA Camp Kitaki, December 29-January 1 5. Give a gift to the Annual Fundraising Campaign – Strong Kids 6. Make the Y part of your wellness goals for 2024
Tell Me Something Good Giving Tree Giving Tuesday Turkey Trot
7. Try a new Group Exercise or Specialized Training Class 8. Take a virtual fitness class with YMCA360 9. Volunteer at the Y 10. Buy a YMCA gift card for that someone special
Reminders Christmas & New Years Hours Red Cross CPR Classes Holiday Stay Fit Pass
11. Grab a cup of coffee in any of the Y lobbies 12. Invite a friend to the Y ymcalincoln.org
FOR YOUR WELLNESS YMCA360 We know life gets busy! That’s why we’re excited to provide our members with YMCA360... a virtual fitness option offering on-demand, livestream workouts, and more. This platform allows you to workout from home, while away on vacation, or anytime you want to workout with the Y! Enjoy live or on-demand group exercise classes with YMCA instructors, explore nutrition classes, youth enrichment, fitness options, and more. Learn more here.
NEW IN 2024 Road to Wellness 12-Week Wellness Path Join an accountability team of members to become comfortable on the wellness floor and experience a variety of group exercise formats. Throughout the 12 weeks, you will enjoy the benefits and support from a Wellness Coach leading your team through the barriers that are keeping you from reaching your wellness goals. The first session will run January 29-April 21. Learn more here.
Holiday Wellness Challenge November 13-December 31 There’s still time to join this year’s Holiday Wellness Challenge! Complete 18 workouts and participate in weekly challenges to finish the year off strong. The Holiday Wellness Challenge is a great way to keep you motivated and stick with your workouts throughout the holidays.
Teen Fitness Training Participants 12-14 years of age will focus on safety and proper technique in using all workout area equipment. Discussions on character development, weight room etiquette, and basic nutrition will also be included in the curriculum.
Register by December 7 to receive your Ugly Christmas sweatshirt!
Cooper | Dec. 26-29, T/W/Th/F, 9:30-11:30am Copple Family | Dec. 26-29, T/W/Th/F, 9:30-11:30am Fallbrook | Dec. 26-29, T/W/Th/F, 9:30-11:30am Northeast | Dec. 11-21, T/W/Th/F 4:00-5:00pm or 6:00-7:00pm
Learn more and sign up here.
Learn more here.
FOR YOUR FAMILY YMCA Winter Dance & Gymnastics Clinic
Upcoming Youth Programs
December 9 | 9:00-10:30am
January 8-28
Join us for a creative and fun morning as we teach skills from our dance and gymnastics programs! Led by experienced YMCA staff, children will give a short performance at the end of the clinic. Learn more and register here.
Save the date for the next session of youth programs at the Y! Sign up for Swim Lessons, Gymnastics, Jr. Chefs, Homeschool Gym, and more. Registration opens December 12 for Y Members and December 14 for Community Members. Learn more here.
UPCOMING YMCA HOLIDAY EVENTS
Northeast YMCA | Santa’s Workshop Wednesday, December 13 | 5:00-6:30pm This family event will include a hot cocoa and popcorn bar, along with a Christmas craft station! This event is FREE for the whole family and open to the community!
Copple Family YMCA | Pancakes & Pajamas Thursday, December 14 | 5:30-7:00pm This family event will include a pancake dinner, pictures with Santa, and a Christmas Craft station. Don’t forget to wear your favorite holiday pajamas! $5/person or $15/family Register online or at the Front desk.
Fallbrook YMCA | Cookies with Claus Monday, December 18 | 6:00-7:00pm Bring your letters to give Santa and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa! This event is FREE for the whole family and open to the community!
Learn more at ymcalincoln.org/events.
YMCA OUT OF SCHOOL DAYS Out of School Days is a licensed child care program offered at the Cooper, Copple Family, Fallbrook, and Northeast YMCA locations on some Lincoln Public Schools non-school days for youth in Kindergarten through age 13. Upcoming Out of School Days December 26, 27, 28, 29, January 2, 3, 4, 5, 15 Learn more and register for Out of School Days here.
December 29 - January 1
Save the dates! Summer Day Camp registration opens January 2 and Before & After School and Preschool registration opens January 30. Learn more here.
Let Camp Kitaki put the finishing touches on your child’s winter break! During New Year’s Live, we will have a New Year’s Celebration to ring in the New Year with contests, dancing, and memories. Enjoy the winter wonderland with outdoor games and adventures that only Kitaki can offer, with a little traditional Camp Kitaki magic.
Parents Night Out
YMCA Camp Kitaki New Year’s Live
Register for New Year’s Live here.
Friday, December 15 | 5:30-8:00pm
Give the Gift of YMCA Camp Kitaki
Join us for Parents Night Out at the Cooper, Copple Family, and Fallbrook YMCAs! This is an opportunity for parents to enjoy a movie or favorite restaurant while kids have a fun-filled, supervised time at the Y.
Is there a shortage of that new toy you were hoping to get a loved one this holiday season? Why not give them the gift of memories that will never run out... time at camp! YMCA Camp Kitaki is an enriching and fun experience for youth. This holiday season, treat someone you love with a Y gift card that can be used not only for Camp Kitaki, but Y Memberships, Personal Training, and Youth Programs like Swim Lessons, Dance, and Gymnastics. Learn more here.
Learn more and register here.
YMCA Youth Sports Upcoming Registration Deadlines: High School Basketball League - December 5 Winter Break Basketball Camp - December 14 Winter Club Volleyball - December 18 Itty Bitty Sports Clinic - December 22 Soccer Academy - December 26 Flag Football Training - December 26 Indoor Golf Clinic - December 26 Esports Super Smash Bros Tournament - December 28 Cheer Clinic - January 3 Winter Archery Clinic - January 8 Winter Archery League - January 8
Learn more about YMCA Youth Sports here.
TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD GIVING TREE
GIVING TUESDAY
For the last few years, 14-year-old Pixie has channeled her entrepreneurial skills to host various fundraisers so she could buy gifts for the YMCA Giving Tree. Over the past couple weeks, Pixie baked and sold 985 cupcakes, raising $3,300. Every dollar was used to purchase 190 gifts which will be given to students at Elliott and Pershing elementary on December 15.
We are so grateful to everyone who donated to the Lincoln YMCA on Giving Tuesday – because of YOU we raised over $23,000! Your donation will have a lasting impact on thousands of children and families in our community. Every dollar raised helps to ensure that the Y is able to provide financial support to individuals and families so that everyone can be a part of the Y!
Thank you to our 2023 YMCA of Lincoln Turkey Trot sponsors, 1,800+ runners, and 100 volunteers!
REMINDERS Red Cross CPR Classes
Holiday Stay Fit Pass
Come learn the life-saving skills of Red Cross for the Professional Rescuer with blended learning First Aid at the YMCA of Lincoln. We offer certification and re-certification courses. Learn more, view the class schedule, and register here.
The Holiday Stay Fit Pass is the perfect solution for friends & family visiting over the holidays, or even the college student who is home on winter break! The pass is good for 30 days from date of purchase. Purchase at any Lincoln YMCA Front Desk. Learn more here.
Christmas & New Year’s Hours All YMCA of Lincoln branches will be open from 8:00am-12:00pm on Christmas Eve (Sunday, December 24) and closed on Christmas Day (Monday, December 25). Child Watch will be closed at all locations on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. YMCA branches will be open 8:00am-12:00pm on New Year’s Eve (Sunday, December 31) and 10:00am-2:00pm on New Year’s Day (Monday January 1, 2024). Child Watch will be closed at all locations on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. *Pools close 30 minutes prior*
Remember to Lock Up Your Valuables Do NOT leave your valuables unattended! This includes keys, wallets, phones, etc. Each YMCA location has several options for members and guests to lock up their valuables. These are at no extra cost, easy to use, and easy to access!
Give Blood at the Cooper YMCA December 15 | 11:00am-5:00pm The American Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive at the Cooper YMCA! All blood types needed. Sign up for your time slot here.
“The Northeast Y has a ton of different equipment, lots of classes for young ones, and a variety of exercise options for adults. The facility is always clean and staff is so friendly!” - Member, Northeast YMCA 2023 Member Survey
FIND YOUR PASSION. FIND YOUR Y. JOIN TODAY AND ENJOY $0 INITIATION FEE!
ymcalincoln.org