Open to the public, Community Days aim to improve physical and mental well-being by providing everyone, regardless of age or ability, with access to a variety of YMCA drop-in programs through free day passes. From group fitness classes and open swims to individual conditioning, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re already familiar with the YMCA or are visiting for the first time, these passes offer a wonderful opportunity to explore what the Y has to offer.

“We’re incredibly grateful to ParticipACTION for their generous grant, which allows us to host Community Days and help remove financial barriers to health and wellness,” said Jill Tettmann, President & CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “At the YMCA, we believe that everyone should have access to opportunities that help them grow and thrive physically, emotionally, and socially. These free passes reflect our commitment to creating inclusive, supportive spaces where all members of the community can improve their well-being.”

Community Days are part of the YMCA’s ongoing mission to strengthen communities and promote healthy, active lifestyles. Visitors to the YMCA during the month of June can participate in a variety of activities tailored for individuals, families, and groups. For local program schedules, visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca/schedules.

To access a free day pass, residents can visit their local YMCA locations in Collingwood, Gravenhurst, Innisfil (upon reopening), Midland, and Wasaga Beach on Saturdays and Sundays in June, or sign up online at www.YMCAOnlinePortal.ca using the promo code ACTION2025.

For more information about ParticipACTION’s Community Challenge, visit www.participaction.com/programs/community-challenge/. To learn more about YMCA services and programs, please visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca.

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Through a wide variety of physical activities taken on by participants throughout Simcoe, Muskoka, and Parry Sound, Move to Give sets out to raise the necessary funds to support vital community programs and services offered by the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. Funds raised through Move to Give enable the YMCA to open doors and strengthen the overall health of our communities through programs such as camp, youth leadership, employment and learning services, immigrant services, health and fitness, youth outreach, and more.

The YMCA is hoping to beat last year’s record-breaking total, with the community’s help, explained Jill Tettmann, CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “Last year, our incredible community raised over $130,000 to support critical YMCA programs. This year, we’re challenging our supporters to help us make an even greater impact as we move to give back to our communities, together.”

Move to Give will feature signature events throughout the region in March and April. Everyone is welcome to participate. See the list below for activities and events at your local YMCA centre:

• Midland YMCA
  • Pickleball Tournament – March 29th, 9:00am (8:30am registration)
  • Indoor Rubber Duck Race – April 5th, 12:15pm
• Collingwood YMCA
  • Y Ride – April 5th, 8:00am-12:00pm
• Huntsville YMCA Employment & Learning Services
  • Cycle-a-thon – April 8th, all day
• Wasaga Beach YMCA
  • Exciting In-Centre Fitness Classes – April 7th-12th
• Gravenhurst YMCA
  • Aquafit with (non-alcoholic) Swim Up Bar – April 10th, 10:30am
• Innisfil YMCA
  • Pickleball Tournament – April 12th, 9:00am (8:30am registration)

Registration for Move to Give is now open at www.MoveToGive.ca. People can sign up as individuals, join a team, or create a team, and fundraise in their community.

The YMCA is also looking for sponsors to support their event. “Sponsorship is a crucial part of making this event a success,” said Kate Meeks, Senior Director of Philanthropy at the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “If your business or organization is looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community, consider joining us as a sponsor. Together, we can continue driving positive change in our local community,” said Meeks.

To register, donate, or support the YMCA’s Move to Give fundraiser, visit their website at www.MoveToGive.ca.

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The YMCA, alongside five other institutions, recently received a Changemaker Workplace Champion award at the Barrie Chamber of Commerce as part of the opening of a new space for community innovation and collaboration.   

This recognition underscores the YMCA’s dedication to fostering social innovation by embedding it into its culture, programming, and operations, while empowering young changemakers across the region. As part of this groundbreaking initiative, the YMCA is launching the Youth Changemaker Leadership Institute, the first program of its kind in Simcoe County and Muskoka. 

“This program represents a bold step toward building a region of changemakers,” said Pamela Marck, Vice President of Innovation and Strategy at the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “By empowering young people with the skills, confidence, and mindset to drive positive change, we are investing in the future of our communities.”  

The Youth Leadership Changemaking Program will kick off this summer, offering a dynamic one-week experience designed to inspire and equip youth aged 9-14 with the tools to create meaningful change in their communities. The program will run during the following weeks and locations: 

•  July 14 to 18 – 499 Raglan St., Collingwood (Georgian College – John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus)
• July 21 to 25 – 825 Memorial Ave., Orillia (Georgian College – Orillia Campus)
• July 28 to August 1 – 111 Wellington St., Bracebridge (Georgian College – Muskoka Campus)
• August 11 to 15 – 560 Little Lake Park Rd., Midland (Midland YMCA)
• August 18 to 22 – 121 Commerce Park Dr. Unit A, Barrie (Barrie Chamber of Commerce)

With a long history of youth leadership development, the idea of changemaking and developing future changemakers is something the YMCA is embracing through a growing partnership with Georgian, Canada’s first and only Ashoka-designated changemaker college.  

Through the Youth Changemaker Leadership Institute, the YMCA also receives a designation from #ChangeTheNow, a social-focused movement to build regions of changemakers by delivering hands-on community projects for youth through supporting organizations and schools. Youth are encouraged to develop critical thinking, collaboration, empathy, and leadership skills and apply them to the issues that matter to them most. 

As part of #ChangeTheNow, participants will also have access to a network of changemakers through the YMCA’s partnership with Georgian College and its affiliation with the global network of Ashoka U Changemaker Campuses. 

“This is an incredible new initiative developed by the YMCA and we’re excited to support scaling the youth-lead changemaking movement beyond our walls at Georgian and into the community. We’re excited to see the impact it has and to have the YMCA join us in this work,” said Nicole Norris, Director, Social Innovation, Georgian College. 

Registration for the YMCA’s Youth Changemaker Leadership Institute is now open. To learn more about the program, including how to register, visit YMCAChangemakers.ca. Spaces are limited, so families are encouraged to register early.

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A maximum of 30 writers will occupy the Port Sydney Community Hall for 72 hours of unfettered creativity from July 11 to 14, vying for the Best Novel Award, which includes a viewing of the manuscript by a Canadian publishing house, as well as the Remington Award for the writer who raises the most money for adult literacy in Muskoka.

“We didn’t miss a single Marathon because of COVID,” says convenor KM Wehrstein, a full-time writer best known in Muskoka for the “Cottage Country Cuisine” culinary feature in Unique Muskoka magazine. “We’re just lucky that we have an event that translates well onto Zoom. The online Marathons were all on the usual weekend in mid-July. But everyone’s been wanting badly to get back in person, and now we’re very excited to be doing it.”

Wehrstein notes that the 2024 Marathon is actually a hybrid event, with online participation still welcome at the discount price set in 2020. “We didn’t want to leave out the new online friends we made from 2020 to 2023, who are as far away as Hawaii.”

Founded in 2002 by five Muskoka writers, the Marathon has raised an estimated $240,000 in total for adult literacy education. Its current beneficiary is YMCA Simcoe-Muskoka’s Huntsville-based literacy program, which is now also active in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Parry Sound as well as Huntsville. Over the years, Marathon funds have been used for sustaining literacy, numeracy and computer skills classes, extending hours, expanding staff, and upgrading IT equipment necessary for the program.

In recent years they have been allocated for the Y’s well-attended English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, empowering Syrian, Ukrainian and new Canadians from other nations to enter into and thus strengthen the local economy.

“Our ESL programs continue to be accessed at high volume across all three YMCA Learning Services locations,” says Ashley McGee, team leader of Learning Services at the Huntsville Y office. “Fundraisers like the Muskoka Novel Marathon allow us to continue a very robust ESL Program while additionally responding to the growing needs beyond the classes themselves.”

The YMCA is now able to offer language assessments and help prepare ESL students for their final exams.

For more information on the 2024 Muskoka Novel Marathon, click here.

Videos courtesy of YMCA Simcoe-Muskoka

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This past weekend, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka held its 10^th annual Move to Give fundraising event. The YMCA is pleased to announce that the event exceeded their fundraising goal, raising $120,000, with more donations still coming in thanks to the community’s overwhelming generosity. Funds raised go directly to supporting the communities the Y serves across Simcoe, Muskoka, and the District of Parry Sound.

Over 750 participants from Simcoe, Muskoka, and Parry Sound joined together to take part in peer-to-peer fundraising, child care fundraising activities, themed events and activities at the Y’s health and fitness centres, community barbeques, bus pull events, and more. This was a particularly special Move to Give event for the local charity as they celebrated the 10^th anniversary of their signature community fundraiser. Events took place on June 8 in Collingwood, Innisfil, Parry Sound, and Wasaga Beach, and included team school bus pulls, silent auctions, family-friendly carnival activities, barbeques and food trucks, local vendors, and more. The YMCA also collected food donations from the community as part of ‘Food to Give’, a new initiative to give back to local food banks.

“It was incredible to see the support from our communities once again for this exciting fundraising event,” said Laura Kelly, Vice President of Philanthropy at the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “Participants of all ages came together to celebrate and support the YMCA, some for the 10^th year in a row. We are deeply moved by the support and generosity of the community, from our donors, participants, community partners, and sponsors. Thanks to all who made this year’s 10^th anniversary Move to Give event such a resounding success,” said Kelly.

Over the past nine years, Move to Give has raised over $900,000 and brought together thousands of people across Simcoe, Muskoka, and Parry Sound – all working towards achieving the same goal – building vibrant and connected communities where everyone belongs. Move to Give not only raises funds to provide participants in need with financial assistance each year, but it also raises awareness about the YMCA’s programs, services, and impact on the community, while inspiring healthy, active living.

“The success of Move to Give has a tremendous impact on the communities we serve”, said Jill Tettmann, CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “As a charity, fundraising events like Move to Give allow us to invest in the wellbeing of our community by providing barrier-free access to our vital programs and services.” Tettmann added, “The Y is one of the largest providers of human services that directly addresses pressing community issues like chronic disease, social isolation, immigration stress, mental health, and unemployment. The funds raised through Move to Give directly translate into more resources and supports for our communities to address these issues, strengthening them for the future.”

The YMCA also received the support of many local businesses through sponsorship of the event:

• Gold Sponsor and Presenting Media Sponsor: Central Ontario Broadcasting – 107.5 Kool FM, Rock 95, and Barrie 360.
• Silver Sponsor: Allegra Barrie
• Bronze Sponsor: Rotary Club of Innisfil
• Community Sponsors: Portage Promotions, Afraid Knot Ropes, Collingwood Home Hardware & Building Centre, The State Group, Rotary Club of Midland, Innisfil Backyard Bounce, Matrix, Gym Concepts, and Triple Tech.

“We are truly grateful for the generosity and support of our community, who have demonstrated their commitment to our mission of promoting health, wellness, and community development,” remarked Tettmann.

Tettmann also acknowledged the hard work and dedication that YMCA staff and volunteers put into planning, organizing, and running the 10^th anniversary Move to Give fundraising event – “This event is a huge undertaking, and our incredible staff and volunteer teams are a vital part of making Move to Give a success. Thank you for sharing your passion for the Y with the over 750 community members that participated,” praised Tettmann.

To learn more about how to support the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, please visit www.GiveToTheY.ca.

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Thanks to caring donors from across the region and a matching gift from two anonymous donors, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka raised $37,000 on Giving Tuesday to strengthen the Y’s efforts to build vibrant and connected communities in Simcoe County, Muskoka, and Parry Sound.

A Global Day of Giving, Giving Tuesday is a time for individuals, communities, and organizations to rally around their favourite charitable causes. The funds were raised as part of the 10th Annual Movement. With the help of these funds, even more individuals and families will be able to participate in YMCA programs and services.

Operating in nearly 80 locations across the region, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is committed to creating vibrant and connected communities where everyone belongs. The YMCA’s diverse programs, which range from child care, camp, and health and fitness, to youth development, and immigrant and employment services, are designed to help all individuals, regardless of age, stage or background to connect, and have a safe place to learn, grow, and belong.

According to Stephanie Saunders, the parent of YMCA Day Camp participant, Ophelia, the YMCA is like a second home for her daughter. “She had such an incredible time the first summer that we had to bring her back”, said Saunders. “Having somewhere where Ophelia could go where I knew that she would be safe, and that she would be included, was really important to us as a family. The camp did inclusion so well, and as a parent with a child with special needs, that’s really important.”

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka’s CEO, Jill Tettmann, says “these donations are critical to supporting the vital programs and services the Y offers in our communities, especially to those that can’t afford to pay full fees. When you give to the Y, you help struggling youth find the support they need to thrive, you help immigrants and refugees feel welcome in their communities, you help children achieve their full potential, and so much more.”

“I want to extend a very special thank you to the region today for supporting our efforts to build stronger, healthier communities,” says Tettmann. “Every day, our programs and services provide life-changing experiences to families, youth, and individuals thanks to the generosity of our donors, partners, and community members,” Tettmann added.

For more information on how to support the Y or to make a donation, community members can visit: www.GiveToTheY.ca.

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“We’ve seen how music is so connected to emotions – for us and our fans – so we were honoured to take on the challenge of reinventing such an iconic song and give new meaning to its enduring lyrics,” says Sarah Blackwood, lead singer of Walk off the Earth. “When we took a look at the original lyrics, it was staggering how a message about the YMCA from 45 years ago is just as relevant and pointed today – but now we’re sharing that message with a focus on mental health tied to Y Mind.”

The collaboration aims to bring awareness to a new era the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka hopes to usher in, as our charity has expanded our broad range of programming to include free mental health services through Y Mind, serving the changing needs of Canadian communities.

Y Mind is an innovative early intervention mental health program that helps teens (ages 13-18) and young adults (ages 18-30) cope with stress and anxiety with the support of health professionals. The seven-week program is available online or in person, is led by local Social Workers, and gives teens and young adults the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings. The Y Mind program is offered completely free of charge thanks to support and funding by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

“We are proud to offer the Y Mind program here in Simcoe Muskoka. The number of stressors that today’s youth face can seem overwhelming, including the post-pandemic experience, school, and social media pressures. We recognize that cost is often one of the biggest barriers for youth in need of mental wellness programs. Y Mind removes that barrier for youth 13-30 so they can get the help they need,” said Jill Tettmann, CEO, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka.

“Mental health is health, and everyone, including Juno Award winners, like Walk off the Earth, are opening up and having conversations about their mental health. The music lets young people know that it’s okay to not be okay and that there is help available through YMCA’s Y Mind program. Our government continues to be very supportive of this initiative,” says The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.

The Y Mind program comes at a time when young people’s stress and anxiety levels remain at an all-time high. According to a survey conducted in 2023 by Deloitte, close to half of Gen Zs (46%) and four in 10 Millennials (39%) report feeling stressed or anxious all or most of the time. Guided by qualified mental healthcare professionals, participants in the Y Mind program have reported reduced anxiety, improved well-being, and reduced feelings of isolation.

Intake is now open for the next Y Mind sessions, starting in early October. To learn more about the Y Mind program or find a location near you, visit www.YMCASM.ca/YMind.

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During this week, the YMCA will educate the public on the issue of drowning and raise awareness about the importance of water safety through activities and programs.

Lifesaving Society Canada reports that more than 400 Canadians lose their lives to preventable water-related incidents each year, making drowning the second leading cause of unintentional death for children and the third leading cause of accidental death for adults.

According to the YMCA, the first line of defense against drowning is learning how to swim. “Learning to swim is a critical life skill that can be acquired at any age,” said Sylvia Pearson, Aquatics Manager at the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, in the press release. “It is never too late or too early to start taking swim lessons. Research has shown that formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88 per cent.”

The YMCA offers aquatics scholarships for individuals pursuing advanced aquatics certifications to become a lifeguard or swim instructor. They also provide financial assistance programs to ensure everyone has equal access to these life-saving programs.

“At the YMCA, we strongly believe that learning how to swim is an essential life skill. That’s why we include children and adult swim lessons with every Y membership,” said Jill Tettmann, CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka.

Throughout the week, the YMCA is inviting the public to visit one of their five Health, Fitness & Aquatics facilities in Collingwood, Gravenhurst, Innisfil, Midland, or Wasaga Beach to learn more about water safety and participate in activities and programs organized for National Drowning.

The YMCA’s program schedule for Prevention Week includes the following:

Colouring contest for ages 7 and under (all locations, July 16-22) – Colour a lifejacket colouring sheet and win a sticker. Artwork will be displayed on the walls of the YMCA.

Water Smart poster contest for ages 8-12 (all locations, July 16-22) – Create a poster that shows people how to be ‘Water Smart’. Whether that’s wearing a lifejacket, swimming with a buddy, or learning to swim, any poster that highlights water safety will be accepted. Each submission will receive a sticker, and the top 3 submissions will win a prize.

Swim with a Buddy (Innisfil YMCA, July 17, 7:30-8:30pm) – Learn how to be an excellent swimming buddy as our lifeguards show you some ways to save someone in an aquatic emergency, while keeping yourself safe.

Within Arm’s Reach (Innisfil YMCA, July 18, 7:30-8:30pm) – If you’re not within arms reach, you’ve gone too far. Join us in the leisure pool with your kids, and have them go through an aquatic obstacle course while you try to stay within arm’s reach (this will be set in shallow water so small children can touch safely).

Check the Ice (Innisfil YMCA, July 19, 7:30-8:30pm) – Cold water impairs you, so it’s vital you learn how to get out fast. Practice in the pool how to climb out after you have fallen through the ice, and learn about signs and symptoms of hypothermia, and how to treat it.

Lifejacket Use (Innisfil YMCA, July 20, 7:30-8:30pm) – Lifejackets don’t work if you don’t wear them. Come learn how to properly fit a lifejacket and find the right size for you! Once you find the perfect fit, you can learn the HELP and Huddle positions used to preserve heat and keep you safe while waiting to be rescued.

Boating Safety (Innisfil YMCA, July 21, 7:30-8:30pm) – 80% of victims in boating deaths were found not wearing a lifejacket. Join us to learn what to bring and what to leave behind in a boating trip.

Swim to Survive (Innisfil YMCA, July 22, 12:30-1:30pm) – Learn the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive curriculum for free. Swim to Survive teaches the basics of what to do if you experience an unexpected fall into the water.

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For the month of June, the Y will offer free day passes on Saturdays to encourage residents to be active and promote health and wellness. A variety of activities are available at the Y, including Open Gym, Family Swim, Lane Swim, a fitness center, and more. The YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka offers a wide variety of programs. For more information, visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca.

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka will track the average movement minutes of its members and visitors in Collingwood, Gravenhurst, Innisfil, Midland, and Wasaga Beach in June, and add the numbers together to find out the total for each community. Participants and members will be encouraged to record their own activities outside of YMCA facilities as well. In the event that the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka wins the challenge, more members of the community will have access to financial aid and be able to overcome access barriers.

YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka Vice President of Health, Wellness, and Community Impact, Karen Pulla, said, “We’re really excited about providing free access to the Health, Fitness, and Aquatics facilities every Saturday in June thanks to ParticipACTION, a project that bas been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.” The YMCA is a great place to have fun, improve your well-being, and make connections with friends and family. Pulla says, “We know exercise can help us improve both our mental and physical health. We hope these FREE passes will welcome new members to the community and inspire them to join the challenge.”

A $100,000 top prize is at stake for the winning community of the Community Better Challenge, which allows anyone, from individuals to organizations, to track their minutes of active participation in their communities.

Residents can get their free Saturday Day Pass by visiting their local YMCA in Collingwood, Gravenhurst, Innisfil, Midland, or Wasaga Beach, or by going to www.YMCAOnlinePortal.ca and entering the code ACTION2023.

To try out the Y beyond the free Saturdays, you can get one-week free until June 16th. Check your local Y for details. For more information about the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, visit www.JoinTheY.ca.

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Over 1,500 participants from Simcoe, Muskoka, and Parry Sound joined together to participate in Move to Give, raising funds while having fun and getting active. This was the largest in-person Move to Give event for the local charity in three years.

“It was incredible to reconnect with our communities once again for this exciting fundraising event,” said Laura Kelly, Senior Director of Philanthropy at the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “Participants of all ages took up the challenge and came together to celebrate and support the YMCA. We are deeply moved by the support and generosity of the community, from our donors, participants, and sponsors. Thanks to all who made this year’s Move to Give such a success,” said Kelly.

Over the past eight years, Move to Give has raised over $750,000 and brought together thousands of people across Simcoe, Muskoka, and Parry Sound – all working towards achieving the same goal – building vibrant and connected communities. Move to Give not only raises funds to provide participants in need with financial assistance each year, it also raises awareness about the YMCA’s programs, services, and impact on the community, while inspiring healthy, active living.

“The success of Move to Give has a tremendous impact on the communities we serve”, said Todd Young, Board Chair of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “As a charity, fundraising events like Move to Give allow us to invest in the wellbeing of our community by providing barrier-free access to our vital programs and services.” Young added, “The Y is one of the largest providers of human services that directly addresses pressing community issues like chronic disease, social isolation, immigration stress, gambling addiction, and unemployment. The funds raised through Move to Give directly translate into more resources and supports for our communities to address these issues, strengthening them for the future.”

The YMCA also received the support of many local businesses through sponsorship of the event:

• Community Mover and Presenting Media Sponsor: Central Ontario Broadcasting – 107.5 Kool FM, Rock 95, and Barrie 360.
• Opportunity Mover Sponsor: Rotary Club of Innisfil
• Wellness Mover Sponsors: Crewson Insurance Brokers
• Friendship Mover Sponsors: Chartwell Tiffin Retirement Residence in Midland, Barrie Rotaract, InnServices, and InnPower.

“We are truly grateful for the generosity and support of our community, who have demonstrated their commitment to our mission of promoting health, wellness, and community development,” remarked Young.

Young also acknowledged the hard work and dedication that YMCA staff and volunteers put into planning, organizing, and running the weeklong Move to Give fundraising event – “This event is a huge undertaking, and our incredible staff and volunteer teams are a vital part of making Move to Give a success. Thank you for sharing your passion for the Y with the over 1,500 community members that participated,” praised Young.

To learn more about how to support the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, please visit www.GiveToTheY.ca.

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