The YMCA of the Palms wouldn't be able to offer quality programs, provide excellent service or build strong kids, strong families and strong communities without our dedicated, gifted and generous volunteers. This year, we have selected a group of outstanding volunteers who give of themselves to make a difference in our community.  We are proud to recognize our 2009 Volunteers of the Year:

• Greater Naples YMCA Volunteer of the Year: Just Like Family Home Care - Jacob and Lis Nassberg and Nikole Stillman
• Bonita Springs YMCA Volunteer of the Year: Thomas Schreck
• Corporate YMCA Volunteer of the Year: 2009 Board of Trustees
• Pioneer Preeminent Award: Paul Ciccarelli

For more information on our award winners, please click here.

 

Summertime means water time for many families. Millions of people will venture to their favorite spots to swim, play and create lasting memories. The most important part of these excursions is safety. Whether it's the pool, beach, or water park, remember that when in or around the water, it's safety first.
 
The Y's advice to all adults and children is to learn how to swim. It's never too late. The YMCA of the Palms is committed to teaching everyone this lifelong, healthy skill, and financial assistance is available to ensure that no one is turned away for an inability to pay.

The YMCA offers a variety of aquatics programs for children and families, including swim lessons.  We have lessons to fit every age and skill level. Parent-Child classes start at 6 months old and small group lessons are offered for children 3 - 12 years old. For more details about the YMCA's swim lesson programs, please click on either of the links below:  

NEW Youth Soccer Specialty Camp
Register today for YMCA Elite Soccer Camp. This camp is geared toward soccer players ages 7 to 18 of all abilities, from beginners to advanced, who are looking to take their skills to the next level. The camp will be led by the YMCA's Soccer Program Director and a top-level certified coach from a professional soccer team in England who has expertise in field play and goalkeeping. We are offering two weeks of camp: June 14-18 at the Community School in Naples and June 21-25 at the Bonita Springs YMCA.  For more details, please click here.

 

YMCA Project Graduation is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has grown to attract more than 1,200 graduates from twelve Collier County high schools.  The 2010 event will be held at the Greater Naples YMCA on Friday, June 4, from 11p.m. - 4a.m.  YMCA Project Graduation is one of the nation's longest running, drug and alcohol-free celebrations.  Graduation night can be a deadly and dangerous night in some cities, however, since Project Graduation's inception in 1985; there has never been an alcohol related fatality on graduation night in Collier County.

For more information on Project Graduation and for ways you can support this yea'rs event, please click here. 

 

Pictured left to right are students with the winning design plus runners-up for this year's Project Graduation t-shirt: Second place, Nicole Merriam, Palmetto Ridge High School; First place winner, Chris Leaoni, Palmetto Ridge High School; Third Place, Chelsea Copeland, Palmetto Ridge High School.  Also tied for third place but not pictured: Diana Castillo, Golden Gate High School.

 

Stretching and flexibility are a critical part of ANY fitness program; regardless of your goals. However, it is usually the part of a workout that is left to the end when time is short.  This FREE wellness series is led by YMCA Personal Trainer Ryan Fiene. Join us and let Ryan help you discover the benefits of stretching and flexibility and help you decide what types of stretching would be best for you. 
 

Y Connect is a group designed for Young Professionals ages 20s -40s (single, married or anywhere in between) to socialize, network, volunteer and support each other. Y Connect will provide you with fun things to do, and interesting people to do them with!  The next Y-Connect is a bowling night on Saturday, May 22.  Hope you can join us!

 

This year, the YMCA of the Palms will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Father's Day. First celebrated in June 1910 at the Spokane YMCA in Washington, Father's Day is now recognized all over the world. 
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Father's Day, Saks Fifth Avenue Naples, in partnership with Gulfshore Life, searched, this spring, for role model dads in the Naples area who are making a positive impact through their style, generosity and dedication to their families and communities.

Limiting your salt intake is one of the best things you can do to lower your blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure affects 1 in 3 Americans-more than 65 million people-according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health and the Blood Institute, who advocate specific dietary recommendations for people with hypertension. DASH-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension-follows heart-healthy guidelines to limit saturated fat and cholesterol and emphasizes foods rich in nutrients, particularly minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium, as well as protein and fiber. Please click here to read more.