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• Activate America

  

  Activate America® is the YMCA's bold approach to directly address our nation's growing health crisis. Our mission compels us to transform the way we work, both internally and externally, to support all kids, adults, families and communities in their pursuit of well-being in spirit, mind and body. In addressing America's unprecedented health crisis, the YMCA is best equipped to influence change in individuals and in our communities to proactively address this health crisis, which is central to the achievement of our mission.

  In some ways, Activate America® is a reflection back to our earliest years in defining individual health as the union of spirit, mind and body. And it builds on the significant role we played in defining health and well-being starting in the 1960s.

  In order to reflect the bold vision reflected in Activate America®:

  • We will support healthy lifestyles by reaching out and engaging all those who seek well-being of spirit, mind and body.
  • We will create and sustain healthier communities by actively participating in our communities and connecting our networks and resources to influence decisions that impact health.

  YMCAs demonstrate their commitment to Activate America® in the following ways:

  • More than 400 YMCAs across the country are in the process of redefining themselves and engaging their communities to provide better opportunities for people of all ages in their pursuit of health and well-being in spirit, mind and body.
  • Over 900 YMCAs joined September’s America On the Move Week at the YMCA. During this week, YMCAs host events and activities to motivate people to take small steps to get active and increase the number of daily steps they take.
  • Annually each spring, more than 1,400 YMCAs host a YMCA Healthy Kids® Day. This is an interactive special event that, through fun, engaging and creative activities, encourages children and families to adopt behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle.
  • YMCAs in nearly 50 states are a part of Pioneering Healthier Communities, a project that engages key community stakeholders to develop strategies that reduce barriers and increase support for healthy living in local communities.
    National partners who provide expert advice to YMCAs across the nation regarding Activate America® include Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Steps to a HealthierUS initiative, Harvard School of Public Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Disney Channel, Kellogg Company, JCPenney Afterschool Fund, Kimberly-Clark Corporation and PepsiCo.

  Please contact your YMCA directly to learn their level of participation in these projects and events.

  More than 80% of the 2,663 YMCAs across the nation have made a commitment to Activate America®. We, at the YMCA, aspire to model and celebrate healthy living in all that we do. We invite you to visit your local YMCA and learn how the Y is working to make your community a healthier place to live. If you have questions about Activate America® or our commitment to it, please inquire at your local YMCA.

• Adult Programing

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• Aquatics

  YMCAs have been teaching people to swim for more than a century. In YMCA aquatics programs, children learn to be safe around water and they feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with learning something new. Youth progressive swimming is the YMCA's third most widely offered program nationwide. It uses a problem-solving, guided-discovery teaching approach in a positive, caring environment. Kids can develop lifelong skills that can help them stay healthy.

  Other YMCA aquatics programs include infant-parent classes, preschool classes, classes for people with disabilities and classes for teens and adults. These include water exercise and therapy and water sports, including synchronized swimming and master competitive swimming for people 18 and over. Competitive programs are also available for youth.

  Many YMCAs offer special classes to help children and families learn how to be safer in and around water, including YMCA Splash. YSplash is an aquatics orientation and safety program providing instruction on swimming skills and basic water safety, offered annually at many YMCAs. The nearly week-long event offers water familiarization, swim lessons and, often, pool games, contests and parent education sessions, usually at a nominal fee.

  Quick Links

  • Swim Team
  • Lifeguarding
  • Instructional Lessons
  • Synchronized Swimming

  
  

• Black and Latino Achievers

  The YMCA National Black & Latino Achievers Program is making a tremendous impact not only in the African-American community but also throughout the YMCA by connecting positive and caring African-American adult role models with African-American youth. It is a program that lives up to the Capital District YMCA's theme: "We Build Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities."

   

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• Health & Wellness

  Our Priority

  In order to build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities, the Capital District YMCA is committed to offering high-quality health and wellness programs. Whether you are new to health and wellness or have been active your entire life, the YMCA can help you move toward a healthier, happier and more balanced life. At the YMCA, you can examine nutrition, stress reduction, weight management, the role of community support and more. Our coaches and certified trainers can help you identify what is most important to you and how to achieve success. We believe, whatever your goals and desires are, the YMCA has a program to fit everyone’s needs.

  Quick Links

  • Personal Wellness Plan
  • Group Exercise
  • Nutrition
  • Road Races & Triathlons 

• Healthy Kids Day

  Coming Soon
  

• Race Series

  The Capital District YMCA is pleased to announce the second annual 2009 Capital District YMCA 5K Run/Walk Series and Kids Fun Runs. In the past our YMCAs have offered individual 5K runs. This series will organize all 6 events and award prizes to participants of all 6 races. More Information

• Splash

  Coming Soon
  

• Youth, Teen & Family

  Coming Soon
  

• Youth & Government

  YMCA Youth & Government is a national program of the YMCA that involves thousands of
  teens nationwide in state-organized model-government programs. Students from every corner
  of the U.S. have the opportunity to immerse themselves in experiential civic engagement and
  to, quite literally, practice democracy.