December 2011 Posts

YMCA Fact: Swimming Since 1888

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Nadina Kaminer

The Y has been teaching swimming since the first Y pools were built in 1888. In 1906, a Y staff member started a revolutionary style of swimming by teaching groups swim strokes using land drills before going into the water. …

YMCA Fact: CDN Universities

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Nadina Kaminer

Concordia University was originally founded by the YMCA of Montreal when it formed the Montreal YMCA Schools in 1926, which later became Sir George William University (named after the founder of the YMCA), before taking on its current name. The …

YMCA Fact: Basketball Invented at YMCA

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Nadina Kaminer

Basketball was invented by Canadian YMCA Physical Director, James Naismith in December 1891. He was given just two weeks to come up with an indoor game that would amuse students more than standard calisthenics. Hanging peach baskets to gymnasium balconies, …

Teen Night Rocks at Shawnessy YMCA!

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Lisa Guenther-Smith

Bring a friend for FREE on January 13!  Teen night resumes on January 13 at Shawnessy YMCA and we want you to bring your friends.  Swimming, ping-pong, foosball, Wii, dancing and basketball are just some the activites available!  Come out Friday nights …

Teen Night at the Eau Claire YMCA

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Lisa Kingston

Looking for something for your TEENS to do over the holidays? Join us at the Eau Claire YMCA for a $3.00 drop in of supervised Teen activities. Choose from basketball and other court sports, ping pong, squash, racquet ball, weight floor, running …

New Saddletowne Photos!

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Nadina Kaminer

Have you seen the latest Saddletowne YMCA photos? The branch is almost ready and things are looking amazing! Click here to check out the new images.  Here’s a quick peek at the new gymnasium, pool and climbing wall:

YMCA Childcare – Children and Centres are Growing!

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Caryl Broen

Saddletowne YMCA Child Development Centre – preparing for our January 3, 2012 opening! YMCA Child Development Centres offer programs that meet and exceed Provincial licensing standards.  Currently 88 children each month benefit from engaging in YMCA Canada’s Playing to Learn …

YMCA Engages Young Leaders!

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Joann Hook

 YMCA Calgary Volunteer, Dalmy Baez, has been chosen to sit on the World Relationships Committee. For the first time in recent memory, two young YMCA leaders have been chosen to join the World Relationships Committee. Engaging young leaders is a key …

Research confirms the benefits of summer camp

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Doug Saul

Families have been sharing with the YMCA for years their observations that their children return from camp with strong friendships, greater maturity, good health and a love of the outdoors. Now there is research that confirms these stories. The Canadian …

Family Fun Holiday Activities

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Lisa Kingston

Hanging Ice Ornaments – Steve MacDonald, Youth Director Shawnessy YMCA Find a handful of plastic containers (hummus, sour cream containers etc) and fill about half way with water. Add a little food coloring.  Search for a backyard nature collection: pine …