As the COVID-19 virus has been confirmed in several Connecticut communities, we have developed this website as a way to communicate the latest information about the YMCA. Below are recent updates we've made to YMCA programs & services. Please understand that all information is subject to change based on recommendations from the state and local Health Departments.
COVID-19 INFORMATION UPDATES FROM THE STATE OF CT AND HARTFORD HEALTH CARE
The State of Connecticut has set up an information line for people with questions about COVID-19 symptoms, travel recommendations, what to do if you are sick with COVID-19, and more. Simply call 2-1-1 on any phone, and follow the automated phone prompt. You can also visit http://ct.gov/coronavirus for the same information. Hartford Health Care is also offering text alerts, sign-up by texting "COVID-19" to 319-96.
UPDATE - 11/22/2020 - 4PM
- All members must wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth in all fitness areas. These areas include cardio machines, group exercise classes, pickleball, basketball shooting, and racquetball.
- According to the CT Guidelines, there are no exceptions to this rule. If you cannot wear a mask, we have virtual fitness options available. Please contact the YMCA, and one of our staff would be happy to help set you up.
- In each fitness area, there are designated “mask break” areas. These areas are available for members to briefly pull their mask away from their mouth and nose. These areas are placed far away from exercise areas and will be closely monitored by YMCA staff.
- Members may briefly remove their mask in order to drink from a water bottle, but their mask must go back as soon as the sip is finished.
- Members should remember to wear masks while in locker rooms, except when showering. Moving forward, please brush your teeth and/or shave your facial hair at home.
- Because of the new mask requirements, members may now exercise with 6 feet of social distance.
- We will be removing the “exercise pods” which were marked with yellow tape.
- Members are asked to keep 6 feet of distance from others at all times. Spotting and exercising together are discouraged.
- If you are participating in Basketball Shoot Around, there may only be one player at each hoop, with no exceptions.
- We will continue to maintain 12 feet of distance in all group exercise classes, even though masks are required. This will help ensure that we can safely keep class sizes at current levels.
- If you are a returning college student, please follow all testing and/or quarantine rules that may pertain to you before returning to the YMCA.
UPDATE - 4/6/2020 - 5:30AM
Since the COVID-19 situation arose, the Y shifted its focus and responded quickly as the needs of the Southington and Cheshire communities changed. So far, we’ve taken these actions:
- We’ve partnered with Hartford Healthcare to provide childcare for first responders and healthcare workers. These heroes are on the front lines and have enough to worry about—a safe place for their children to continue to learn, play and grow shouldn’t be one of them.
- We are working with Bread for Life and the Cheshire Community Food Pantry to ensure families and individuals in need receive healthy meals and snacks.
- We have partnered with the American Red Cross to be an essential blood drive location due to the blood shortage the community is facing.
- We are also creating pathways for wellness checks in an effort to engage our senior population. Our seniors, many of whom live alone, are feeling isolated and vulnerable right now, and we are committed to helping them feel connected during this scary time. We are calling our senior members daily to check in and are also providing meals and other household necessities to those who cannot leave their homes.
- We have been providing a location for valuable outdoor recreation and wellness for our YMCA families and members at YMCA Camp Sloper. A safe place for you to get fresh air, get some exercise and stay healthy.
This work is essential to our community, and the Y is in a unique position to provide these services. But we cannot continue this critical mission without support. We want to thank our membership for "Staying With The Y" and allowing us to draft your membership fees, so we can continue this valuable outreach into our communities and continue to offer our virtual Y experience for our members. With our doors closed, your membership dollars will now help us continue this important work. For anyone who is not a Y member, please considering joining or donating today to help support our efforts. You can do so by calling (860) 628-5597 or visiting our website at sccymca.org.
We are just as eager as everyone to reopen our doors, and when that time comes, we know it will be an exciting day, filled with celebration. Until then, we will continue to do the work that is needed to keep our children safe, our seniors connected and our community healthy. But we can’t do it alone.
Stay with us, and we will make it through this together.
UPDATE - 4/2/2020 - 4PM
- Join the SCCYMCA Group Exercise Club Facebook page. It's easy to do - just click here!
- View one of our 30 minute Fitness videos, and enjoy a GREAT workout.
- We will be sharing LIVE classes every day at 9:30AM and 10:30AM.
- "Like" the video OR post your name in the comment section below the video. This step is VERY important. This is how we will verify that you exercised, and this will enable us to submit this to Silvers Sneakers for reimbursement.
- If you do not have a Facebook account, you will need to set one up. It's very easy to do! If you would like help, please contact Mark Guerin, our Marketing Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
As we learn the importance of social distancing, and more and more people are impacted by school and business closures due to the spread of COVID-19, we recognize the need for healthy living programs that can be accessed from anywhere. Shifting to offer classes online feels like the best way to continue to live out our mission to strengthen our community.
These classes are designed to help individual exercisers and families engage with the YMCA virtually from the comfort of home. Dozens of classes are already available, with more to be released in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your ongoing support during these difficult times. We hope you will not only support our ongoing mission, but take advantage of our offering to help keep you healthy and strong.
UPDATE - 3/30/2020 - 12PM
First and foremost, know that your entire YMCA community is thinking of you, your families, and our community-at-large. We hope you are all staying safe, healthy, and managing as well as you can under the current circumstances. The efforts you have made to prioritize your health and well-being do not need to come to a halt despite this pause in our face-to-face connections.
While we may not be gathering in-person for the time being, we are together in spirit and want to help you continue progressing toward the goals you set for yourself. We hope you will consider taking advantage of one or more of the following options:
ONLINE COMMUNITIES
As many of you adjust to new routines that may involve more solitude, set a routine to help stay mentally strong. We have created more than 20 Facebook Groups for a variety of activities and interests including Health & Wellness, Child Care tips & guidance, creative ideas for indoor and outdoor activities, and a whole of of FUN from our friends from YMCA Camp Sloper!
Click here to see ALL of our new Facebook Groups.
VIRTUAL FITNESS
We are happy to offer all YMCA members a 60 day free subscription to MOSSA Move - a library of on-line group fitness classes. These classes are featured in our Group Exercise Facebook Group, but you are welcome to sign-up to use the classes whenever you want. Please note: you will be asked to provide credit card information, but you can cancel within 60 days without being charged. You may also access YMCA 360, a YouTube site full of exercise videos taught by Y instructors from around the country.
Click here to access MOSSA Move.
Click here to access YMCA 360.
ONLINE COACHING
We have been getting requests from people looking for an online option for personal training and coaching. This is something that we have the ability to offer, but we would like to gauge interest before we are ready to schedule clients. These programs would be offered in a variety of formats including the Zoom Conference App and, potentially, though a new on-line fitness system.
If you are interested in on-line options for group or 1-on-1 training, please click here to fill out a brief survey.
YMCA CAMP SLOPER OUTDOOR CENTER
Outdoor recreation is still available to our YMCA members, and it might be more important now than ever. YMCA Camp Sloper, located at 1000 East St, Southington, is 143 acres of open fields and hiking trails. It's a perfect spot to get outdoor with your family and still maintain an appropriate physical distance from others.
Click here for all of the YMCA Camp Sloper Trail Maps.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU, AND WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Please consider setting up time for a phone check-in during the week between 8:30am-4:30pm by contacting Jay Jaronko via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He will connect you to YMCA member engagement staff person to call you to help set goals and share with us how you and your family are doing. We will have office hours available for the duration of our closure. Visit www.sccymca.org for more information about all of the critical work our YMCA staff are engaged in during this temporary closure.
Know that you are in our hearts and minds, and we look forward to connecting with you virtually in the immediate, and in-person in the near future.
UPDATE - 3/25/2020 - 10AM
- Providing education and recreation outreach services to our youth by supporting families in their homes through a variety of Facebook Groups.
- Continuing support for our members, especially our seniors who may feel isolated, through free online health resources, daily inspiration, and positive connection. One way we are supporting people looking for fitness options is with a free 60 day subscription to MOSSA Move. Click here to get started today.
- Allowing the YMCA Camp Sloper Outdoor Center to remain open for our members in order to provide one of the few places in the area where outdoor recreation, health and wellness and family time can be enjoyed while practicing social distancing.
- Aligning with community partners regarding Emergency Child Care needs for healthcare workers and first-responders protecting our community.
- Engaging our food partners, like Bread for Life and the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, to continue providing meals to targeted high-need populations.
- Southington - Jackie Seeger - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Cheshire - Wendy Fisher – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
UPDATE - 3/24/2020 - 5PM
Emergency Child Care Now Available
The Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA is happy to announce we are doing our part to help with this crisis! We are currently able to offer Emergency Childcare for CT Hosptial Workers during these challenging times. We are working with the CT Office of the Early Child (OEC) and have been approved for Emergency Childcare location to serve Southington and surrounding towns. Per OEC guidelines and for the safety of our staff and those we will be serving, there is a MAX of 30 Children with no more than 10 per room to allow for social distancing. Service will begin on Wednesday, March 25 at our YMCA Learning Center located at 30 High Street in Southington for children ages 3-12. Care is available Monday-Friday from 6:30am-6pm. Please contact, Chrissy Cassesse, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 860-621-8130 for more information and availability. The Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA has been offering childcare for over 40 years and we are honored to continue that for those fighting for a better tomorrow on the front lines in our health care system.
Emergency childcare registration form
Emergency childcare FAQ
UPDATE - 3/16/2020 - 5PM
QUESTIONS & FEEDBACK
If, at any point, you have questions about how the YMCA is responding to COVID-19 or if you have any ideas about how we could better prepare our YMCA family, please reach out to your branch's executive director, or any administrative staff person at any time.
1. Cheshire - Chrissy Cassesse - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. Southington - Jay Jaronko - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. Southington & Cheshire - Mark Pooler - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
WHEN IN DOUBT, REMEMBER THESE BASIC STEPS
1. If you feel sick, please stay at home.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water regularly for at least 20 seconds.
3. Routinely clean surfaces that are frequently touched.
