View our Spring 2010 offerings

At The New Canaan YMCA…

We are proud to serve all members of our community.  All individuals are welcome and encouraged to participate in our traditional programs; adaptations and accomodations are available where need exists.  If you or a member of your family requires additional assistance, or to explore the options available to you, please do not hesitate to contact Marisa McBride, Director of Special Needs Programming, at (203) 966-4528, ext. 156.

Look for the YSN logo in our program brochure!

The New Canaan YMCA is proud to offer the following specialized programs for individuals with special needs:

Friday Night Out

Parents:  HEAD ON OUT FOR A NIGHT IN TOWN AND LEAVE THE KIDS, AND THE FUN, TO US!  - We’ll order pizza, play games, and have a different special event for each Friday Night Out! Don’t let your child miss out on the fun!  (Note:  This program is restricted to middle/high school students with special needs and their siblings.)

Drop Off: 6 PM – Pick Up: Promptly @ 8 PM

$15/MEMBER - $25/NONMEMBER

Please join us on: Friday, March 12, April 23, May 14, June 4

Space is limited, so sign up at the front desk during Winter Registration!! 

Teen Scene

Middle and high school youth:  Looking for something fun to do with others during the week?  How about afternoons at the Outback Teen Center, dinners in town, and trips to local activities?  We’re doing all that, and so much more! 

Angel Fish  (Ages 2-6, 7-12)

A small group class for children with special needs and his or her parent (ages 2-6 and 7-12). This class will use therapeutic techniques to strengthen muscles, normalize muscle tone, and modulate the sensory system. Using the water’s properties of buoyancy, resistance and hydrostatic pressure, we will meet each child’s individual needs.  This class is run by Ailene Tisser-Physical Therapist, along with other therapists and a YMCA instructor.  The focus will be on parent education regarding therapeutic activities, basic swim skills, peer interaction, motor planning, and mostly FUN!  Siblings cannot swim at this time but will be invited to swim on the last class at the instructor’s discretion.

TLC Salamander

This is a “bridging” class especially for children with special needs who are ready to be introduced to a regular swim lesson format.  All children must be evaluated by the Aquatics Department prior to registering to determine if this is the appropriate class for them.  The class ratio will be 1 instructor to 3 children.  Registration will not be accepted without Director’s approval.

Buddy Swim (Ages 7-12)

The New Canaan YMCA is proud to offer a class for children with special needs aged 7-12 years old led by an instructor. Children are grouped with 1-2 high school volunteers who will work on their skills under the direction of the swim instructor.  

Sports of All Sorts (Grades K-4)

A traditional sports program with built-in adaptations and accessibility for children with special needs, this program develops skills in different sports areas in a fun environment. Some of the activities will be soccer, football, basketball, kickball, baseball, and other ball games.  

Youth Yoga (Ages 6-11)

Enjoy this fun and safe class while learning breathing, stretching, balance, and focusing energy. This interactive yoga class gives children with special needs the basic principles of yoga practice, while maintaining a fun and upbeat environment!  Come fly through the sky like a super hero! Explode just like a volcano! Or Jump across a pond like a frog!  This fun program is specifically designed for your child with special needs and aims to increase attention span, relaxation, body awareness and self-confidence!

Teen Yoga (Grades 6-12)

Designed for middle and high school students with special needs, this class offers a therapeutic, yet fun, approach to yoga!  Sessions focus on breathing, gentle poses, balanced movements to music, safe stretching, and relaxation, while offering participants the opportunity to move their bodies safely in conscious ways to enhance physical and emotional balance, body awareness, and self-confidence.

More Than Just Music Plus (Ages 2-5)

This class provides a safe environment to learn, express, create, and explore, all while developing positive social, cognitive, fine/gross motor, and social-emotional skills. Participants with special needs will have fun with music while learning and practicing important skill development.  

Explorer Bears (Ages 2-12)

This exploratory gymnastics class, designed for children with special needs, offers a semi-structured format of instruction, allowing your child the freedom to move freely from station to station and explore a variety of gymnastics skills at his/her own pace. Instructors will assist your child at each station and nurture interest, motivate them to try new things, set goals, and encourage a love of gymnastics. As participants climb the mountain, bounce on the trampoline, walk across obstacles, roll over the bars, and swing on the rings, their spatial awareness, self-confidence, and love of physical activities will be increasing every moment.

Explorer Bears Classes:

Little Explorers (ages 2-6 w/ parent)

Family Explorers (ages 7-14 w/parent)

Explorer Bears (ages 6-12; parent involvement at discretion of director)

A Journey Through Art (Ages 6-14)

This is an art-centered activity group for children with a variety of special needs and developmental delays. The goal of this group is to use art therapy materials and techniques in a therapeutic way to enhance and practice communication skills.  Art can stimulate imagination and becomes the bridge for self-expression. We will use a variety of art materials to assist in the development of foundation skills, art activities, and socialization.