HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA

Posted on: Sunday, March 18th, 2018

April Food Drive

Partner with us for our 4th annual Healthy Food Access Food Drive!

All month long in April, you can make a difference by donating to this initiative to help our neighbors in need in our communities. Bring a healthy food item (or two!) along for your next visit to the Y. We are collecting at our branches in Foxboro, Franklin and North Attleboro and at locations throughout our communities.

Through this food drive, the YMCA aims to collect healthier food items to provide to local food pantry partners and educate the community about the need for improved access to healthy food choices. Did you know? One in nine people in eastern Massachusetts is at risk for food insecurity.

Suggested items include: whole grain products, brown rice/quinoa, lower sodium hearty soups, canned vegetables/fruit, beans, oatmeal, nuts, spices, and household/personal care items.

The Hockomock Area YMCA is also looking for volunteers! Volunteer support is needed to help the YMCA team in a variety of capacities including: weighing and counting donations, transporting donated items to area food pantries, and helping spread the word about this initiative with friends and neighbors. A flyer containing all the details is available here for convenient download.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Shannon Nisbett at shannonn@hockymca.org.

Posted on: Tuesday, March 6th, 2018

Girl Power Go – New Program Offered at all Branches

STRONG AND EMPOWERED

Be Strong, Be Smart, Be Amazing!
Girl Power Go is a program designed to get girls excited about fitness and feeling fabulous while making new friends. The YMCA is offering a NEW class at all our branches this spring—combining life lessons, positive thinking & physical activity. This is brought to you through partnership with Girl Power Go, LLC.

Girls will learn strategies and develop tools to build strong connections to self and others. How to be brave and courageous, while still being loving and kind. Healthy eating, the importance of rest, how to stand in your power and how to be a good friend are just some of the topics covered. Includes fun fitness segments such as boot-camp, yoga, strength training, teamwork games and kick boxing.

Runs: April 23-June 18

Mondays @ the Franklin Y (grades 1-2) 3:45pm (no class 5/28)
Tuesdays @ the Franklin Y (grades 3-4) 3:30pm
Mondays @ the North Attleboro Y (grades 1-2) 3:30pm -OR- (grades 3-4) 4:30pm (no class 5/28)
Thursdays @ the Foxboro Y (grades 1-2) 3:30pm -OR- (grades 3-4) 4:30pm
Cost: $150 member; $175 program member
Class duration: 1 hour in Franklin; 50 minutes in Foxboro and North Attleboro to allow for pick-up and drop-off

Special offering of Girl Power Go—Mondays @ Bellingham Memorial Middle School (grades 4-7) 2:20pm-3:05pm

Runs at BMMS: March 26-May 21, 2018 (no class on 4/16)
You do not have to be a Y member (cost: $113 member or Schools Out participant; $150 non-member)
Enrollment form (BMMS location only), click here

Questions? please contact: Kim Jennings kjennings@hockymca.org.

Register starting 3/27/18 through our ONLINE REGISTRATION

Or, please contact your local Y.

Posted on: Thursday, February 8th, 2018

Looking Back on 2017

On behalf of the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Board of Directors and my staff colleagues, please enjoy this short video looking back at 2017, highlighting our Y’s impact on those we are proud to serve. Thank you for being part of our Y family and for joining in our commitment to enhance lives and enrich communities.

I am grateful for your support of our YMCA and look forward to all that we will experience together in 2018.

Sincerely,

Ed Hurley
President, Hockomock Area YMCA

Posted on: Thursday, February 8th, 2018

New YMCA Swim Lessons Curriculum

This winter, our YMCA is updating our swim lesson program, so expect to see a great new look and simpler class names. The latest evolution of Y Swim Lessons accommodates varying abilities and will foster a sense of achievement as swimmers progress between levels. Through this approach, advanced swimmers flow more easily to higher levels while swimmers who need more instruction can learn at their own pace. This results in more confident swimmers who stick with lessons and develop a love for swimming that can last a lifetime.

Our Youth Program Guide explains everything and provides a schedule for all the new classes, but here’s a quick overview. In our updated curriculum, there are three general categories of Y Swim Lessons:

SWIM STARTERS: Baby & Toddler Lessons with Parent
Accompanied by a parent, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills. Parents are coached to guide their child toward greater water independence while learning about the importance of supervision.
Swim Starters classes are Stages A, B, C.

SWIM BASICS: Fundamentals of Swimming
Students develop basic swimming competency and learn personal water safety. They begin by developing comfort in the water, then work on proper body position and control. While developing fundamental techniques, swimmers increase stamina for longer distance swimming.
Swim Basics classes are Stages 1, 2, 3.

SWIM STROKES: Refining Stroke Technique
Having mastered the fundamentals, swimmers build on stroke technique, including all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues, and swimmers learn about competitive swimming and how to incorporate exercise swimming into a healthy lifestyle.
Swim Strokes classes are Stages 4, 5, 6.

Each Swim Lessons category has three stages or levels that are designed for swimmers of every age and ability.

SWIM STARTERS BABY & TODDLER LESSONS WITH PARENT

Parent/Child
6 Months – 3 Years

Accompanied by a parent, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills. Parents are coached to guide their child toward greater water independence while learning about the importance of supervision.

A / WATER DISCOVERY

Parents accompany children in stage A, which introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment through exploration and encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about the water.

B / WATER EXPLORATION

In stage B, parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.

C / WATER INDEPENDENCE

Parents work with their children to develop comfort in underwater exploration by learning self rescue techniques. This class is geared for children not ready to be independent from parents.

SWIM BASICS FUNDAMENTALS OF SWIMMING

Everyone
Ages 3 and up

Students develop basic swimming competency and learn personal water safety. They begin by developing comfort in the water, then work on proper body position and control. While developing fundamental techniques, swimmers increase stamina for longer distance swimming.

1 / WATER ACCLIMATION

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage lays the foundation for a student’s future progress in swimming.

2 / WATER MOVEMENT

In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

3 / WATER STAMINA

In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

SWIM STROKES REFINING STROKE TECHNIQUE

Everyone
Ages 5 and up

Having mastered the fundamentals, swimmers build on stroke technique, including all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues, and swimmers learn about competitive swimming and how to incorporate exercise swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

4 / STROKE INTRODUCTION

Students in stage 4 develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke.

5 / STROKE DEVELOPMENT

Students in stage 5 work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke.

6 / STROKE MECHANICS

In stage 6, students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

In the coming days, we’ll provide some helpful resources to make sure everyone in your family will know how to choose the right Swim Lesson class, and if you have any questions please stop in at your local YMCA or give us a call.

Posted on: Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018

Annual Campaign Breakfast 2018

Join us as we kick off our 2018 Annual Campaign.

REACH OUT FOR
YOUTH AND FAMILIES
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN BREAKFAST

Raising life-changing funds
for children and families in our community

Friday, March 16, 2018
at Gillette Stadium

Foxborough, Massachusetts
»» Networking begins at 7:00 a.m.
»» Breakfast and Program at 7:30 a.m.
»» RSVP by March 9 to: realimpact@hockymca.org
or call 508.643.5278

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

The Reach Out for Youth and Families Annual Campaign provides necessary funding for our YMCA’s vital community service initiatives. Funds raised provide confidential scholarship assistance, giving Y experiences including summer camp, child care and teen programs to local children and families in need.

Subsidized programs include LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, our YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, our Integration Initiative, and our Teen Centers and Programs.

Posted on: Monday, January 22nd, 2018

Say hello to February Break!

When School Is Out, the Fun Is In.

Kids ages 5-17 are invited to join us during February school break for fun, social, and educational activities.

We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve! That’s why, at the Y we offer flexible schedules and the opportunity for kids to learn skills and build relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, educational achievement, all while having a lot of fun.

Our experienced staff takes the right steps to ensure your child’s safety and happiness during an action-packed day!

in North Attleboro

We are pleased to offer a variety of specialized options for you to choose from. We have Elmwood Days which offers a range of activities for kids ages 6-12 and a great way to “try out” camp. Field trips include the Museum of Science, Lazer Gate, Snow Tubing at New England Sports Park, the Cinema Pub and Hall of Fame at Gillette Stadium, & Ice Skating/Camp Day.

For our specialty camps, choose from Swim Camp for ages 5-13, Gymnastics Camps for ages 3-5 or 6-14, Vacation Craft Camp for ages 4 to 9, or Super Sports Camp for ages 6-12. All of these programs offer swim time in our pool.

We have Pre & Post Care available for kids ages 5 to 14 for parents who need childcare options before 9:00am and after 4:00pm.

For our outdoor enthusiast pre-teens and teens, join us to go rock climbing or skiing with transportation to and from the North Attleboro Branch.

REGISTER TODAY (NORTH ATTLEBORO)!

Details on the North Attleboro programs are found on the flyer below.

Download the North Attleboro Flyer

in Foxboro:

We are pleased to host special visitors daily to offer enriching experiences for our Foxboro campers ages 3-5 enrolled in Junior Wapawca.

We offer Vacation Combo programs, for our sports enthusiasts between the ages of 4-7 to enjoy a variety of sports and gymnastics. Our school-aged campers–ages 5-11, will have a great time in our popular Foxboro Wapawca Days, with field trips to Lazer Gate, snow tubing at the New England Sports Park, the New England Aquarium, United Skates of America, and Altitude Trampoline Park! Pre & Post Care programs are available for kids ages 5 to 14 for parents who need childcare options before 9:00am and after 4:00pm.

Kids ages 10 to 14 are invited to check out Voyagers Adventures where they will have fun snow tubing, creating at Fungineers Stem, rock climbing, shooting arrows during archery, and visiting Patriots Place. Or pre-teen and teen outdoor enthusiasts can join us to go rock climbing or skiing with transportation to and from the North Attleboro branch of our Y.

Teens 16 years and older are invited to register for our YMCA Lifeguard Certification Course. The course dates are 2/17 Saturday, 1:00-5:00pm and 2/19-2/21, Monday – Wednesday, 9:00am-5:30pm. The course includes: CPR-Pro/AED, Oxygen Admin, and First Aid certifications. There is required online training pre-course work. Participants must pass a swim test to take the course. To participate, please contact sheilar@hockymca.org or 508-772-1325 to schedule a swim test.

REGISTER TODAY (FOXBORO)!

Details on the Foxboro programs are found on the flyer below.

Download the Foxboro Flyer

in Franklin

At the Franklin Y, we offer full day camps and extended day options, whether your interests include playing games/sports, exploring new destinations, learning new skills, or improving your swimming, we’ve got something to engage and support you. Please contact ryank@hockymca.org or 774-235-2736.

For teens, outdoor enthusiasts like yourself will get together from our branches and take part in rock climbing and/or skiing day trips, with transportation to and from the Bernon Branch.

REGISTER TODAY (FRANKLIN)!

Details on the Franklin programs are found on the flyer below.

Download the Franklin Flyer

Posted on: Monday, January 22nd, 2018

Join us for Family Time!

4 Ways to Stay Warm this Winter!

Chase away the winter blues with our top suggestions for getting your family together with others while the kids exert energy, try new things, make new friends…and be kids!

#1

Valentine’s Dance

Friday, February 9
Join us for a Sock Hop as our DJ fires up this year’s favorite tunes. Don’t miss our annual Family Valentine’s Dance! We whole heartedly invite you to participate in the evening’s crafts, healthy snacks and more.

EVENT DETAILS:

FREE! Fun for the entire family
Our Foxboro Branch will have a DJ and dancing, a photo booth, nail salon, temporary tattoos, games, snacks, and more.
Our Franklin Branch will have music and dancing, beauty makeovers, an indoor snowball fight, snacks, and more. Please bring a pair of new socks to donate to our Sock Drive!
Our North Attleboro Branch will have 50’s themed fun with stilt walking, jacks, hula hoops, slinkies, and more! And don’t forget to bring in some new socks to donate for our sock drive.
Runs: 6:30-8:00pm in Franklin, Foxboro and North Attleboro

#2

Sweetheart Lunch

Wednesday, February 14 at all three of our branches
Enjoy lunch with your sweetheart!

EVENT DETAILS:

11:30am-12:30pm in Foxboro, Franklin, and North Attleboro
Serving heart-shaped sun butter and jelly sandwiches and strawberry yogurt parfait
Cost: $5/Members $8/Program Members

Register for Sweetheart Lunch

#3

Minion and a Movie

Drop off your kiddos to watch a movie ‘with a Minion!’
(and enjoy some time for yourself while they have fun)

When? Friday, January 26 at our Franklin Branch

EVENT DETAILS:

12:30-3:30pm
Cost: $15/each (children must be potty-trained)
Don’t forget to wear your cozy pajamas!

Register for a Minion Event

#4

Hosting Made Easy

Celebrate your birthday or event at the Y! We offer a variety of party packages including access to a birthday party room and use of our facility. Our most popular events are pool parties, gymnastics and sports parties, arts themed parties and dance parties. Other rentals include graduation, youth group overnights, and adventure packages.

To book your event or find out more information, please call the Y or CONTACT US.

Posted on: Saturday, December 30th, 2017

Meet Me At the Y. Where Lives are Enriched…

…lives like the Weihrauch Family. I spoke recently to Nancy about her family’s journey with the Hockomock Area YMCA.

Nancy and her husband Erick starting coming to the Hockomock Area YMCA when their daughter Emma was starting first grade 15 years ago. Emma was born with special needs and they needed a place for Emma to learn how to swim. Nancy explained, “The Integration Initiative was just starting at the Y and we understood that at the Y she would have an easier time in swim lessons.” Several years later the Integration program really took off. Erick would work out at the Y and Emma would be involved in many of the integration programs as it was one of the only spots that she could get recreational activities that Nancy and Erick were comfortable with. “There were very few places I could leave her and feel comfortable and the Y was definitely one of them. I would use that time to decompress. I would read, socialize, be on my phone, anything but workout,” Nancy explained.

Fast forward to last November. Erick saw a flyer for the Weigh to Change program. He pondered whether he should sign Nancy up for her birthday debating if she would want it or use it. She had recently told him that she was ‘happy with the way she was,’ but Erick did not think so. So he questioned his sister-in-law and asked if he should buy theatre tickets or sign her up for the Weigh to Change program for her birthday. She responded, “Did she ask for the program?”and the answer was of course, “no”. So, Nancy received theatre tickets for her birthday. Four days later however, much to Erick’s surprise, Nancy came home from the Y and announced that she had signed up for the Weigh to Change program! Nancy had seen the program when it was first advertised. She explained, “the 2nd time I saw the program advertised I regretted not signing up because I knew in my head, it was time. So the third time it was advertised I knew I was going to sign up before I even attended the information session.”

Nancy has lost a total of 57 pounds and 64 inches through the Y’s Weigh to Change program. She describes the program as “way more bang for my buck then I thought it was going to be.” The program addresses food and exercise at the same time, not just individually. “Two things that really matter: you have to want change and you have to show up. If you show up there’s no way the trainers or staff at the Hockomock Y will let you fail,” says Nancy. She explains further, “There’s something about the comradarie, about the people in the Weigh to Change group and taking the classes together. We share the same struggle. We have different stories, but the same struggle. There’s just a connection. I don’t know if it happens in every group, but it certainly happened in the group I was in, and we are all different ages. The support is incredible, very real, very genuine.”

I asked both Erick and Nancy about how the Y and the Weigh to Change program has changed them as a family. They both felt it brought their family closer together. Erick explained that they usually took a summer vacation but that this past year’s was very different. Instead of being based on the local restaurants and type of foods available, Nancy had stressed to Erick that she wanted an active vacation which was right up Erick’s alley, he really enjoyed hiking! So they planned a trip to Alaska and hiked a 4,000 foot dome in the Yukon. They also participated in a 5k race on the cruise and used the exercise room in every hotel. It was a very different vacation, one that they absolutely loved. Nancy explained “It’s not the weight or inches lost that have impacted me as much as the gift of being able to participate in my life now.”

Nancy and Erick explained further the value of the Y to their family. Erick pointed out, “The Y keeps coming up with creative ways to keep people engaged here. A friend of Emma’s works here [who has special needs]. The Y keeps trying to do more for everybody.” Nancy shared that she is a very private person, but she agreed to be interviewed by the Y because “anything I can do to help the Weigh to Change program and the Integration program. These are programs that are so critical for us. The fact that these programs exist for people is so important. I absolutely feel stronger, more confident, and happier.”

Tell your friends, join our Y family today!

No Join Fee and free 1-on-1 Weigh to Change Consultation through January 31st.

Learn more about our New Year Weigh to Change Program

Register Here for Weigh to Change

Posted on: Friday, December 8th, 2017

The Power of Inclusion – President’s News

LEGENDS BALL WAS A GREAT EVENING
CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF INCLUSION

The Holiday Season is a special time of year to reflect and appreciate what is most important in our lives. Here at our Y we are so grateful for the tremendous outpouring of commitment, enthusiasm, and support displayed at our 12th annual Legends Ball held on November 28th at Lake Pearl in Wrentham.

We were honored to recognize New England Patriots Special Teams Captain and two-time Super Bowl Champion Matthew Slater with our annual Legends Award.

Funds were raised in record number, spirits were raised in hearing the stories of impact our Integration Initiative has on so many individuals and children with disabilities and their families, and new friends were raised and brought into our special family of those committed to a culture of inclusion in our communities.

In this video, please enjoy some of the highlights of a very special evening and a celebration that is still fresh in all the minds of those who attended.

I wish you and your family a joy filled Holiday Season. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2018.

Sincerely,

Ed Hurley
President, Hockomock Area YMCA

Posted on: Friday, December 1st, 2017

Holiday Break Programs

When School Is Out, the Fun Is In!

When school is out for December school break, children ages 5-17 are invited to join us at the Y for fun, educational, and social happenings.

We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve! That’s why, at the Y we offer flexible schedules and the opportunity for kids to learn skills and build relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, educational achievement, all while having a lot of fun.

Our experienced staff takes the right steps to ensure your child’s safety and happiness during an action-packed day!