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WHAT IS WELCOMING WEEK AT THE YMCA?  

Welcoming Week strives to connect our community to the YMCA. We are opening our doors for everyone to use our facilities, attend events, jump in the pool, play basketball, participate in exercise classes and MORE from September 9-18 FREE of charge. Find your BELONGING, find your YMCA. Scroll down to see all the offerings available to you.

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What YMCA locations are participating?

  • Welcoming Week is a nationally recognized event for YMCAs across the country.

  • Locally, all YMCA of the Chippewa Valley locations are participating in some way!

    • Chippewa Falls YMCA - Facility is open for community use.

    • Eau Claire YMCA - Facility is open for community use and hosting special Welcoming Week events!

    • John & Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center - Open tennis on Sept 12 & 13 from 8-10 PM.

    • L.E. Phillips YMCA Sports Center - Free Family Fun Zone admission on Sept 13 from 9-11:30 AM.​
       

Schedule of Events/Classes that are FREE and Open to EVERYONE

  • GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL YMCA BRANCH

    • ​The Chippewa Falls & Eau Claire YMCA branches are open for FREE community use during Welcoming Week. In addition to the events and classes listed on this page, our facilities are available for general use. Stop in to check out the pools, gymnasiums, fitness centers, private fitness studios, walking tracks, and MORE!

    • Before you come, please click here to check our schedules.
       

  • SPEAKER SERIES: Meet Your Local Author, Dick Freitag

    • September 9, 11 AM-Noon | Eau Claire YMCA Party Room

      • Let’s come together and hear from local author DICK FREITAG, author of, "Twice Broke & Never Broken". Freitag, local author, businessman, and military veteran will share his incredible experience in "overcoming" obstacles and challenges in life! You can purchase his book, "Twice Broke And Never Broken", from the Local Store!​​
         

  • LET’S PLAY!

  • SOME FRIENDLY COMPETITION

    • September 12, 1-3 PM, PING PONG at the Eau Claire YMCA (Racquetball Court 3)

      • Join our YMCA Ping Pong Community! Meet and play with a group of ping pong enthusiasts that play regularly on Mondays and Fridays at the Eau Claire YMCA. All levels and ages are welcome.

    • September 13, 11 AM-NOON, PICKLEBALL at the Eau Claire YMCA in Hobbs Gym 

      • Pickleball has become a popular activity in recent years. Are you curious if it’s a sport for you? Come learn the rules of the game and give it a try. This session is for absolute beginners and is a great way to meet others who are looking for a fun new activity to add to their fitness routine. Come see what the buzz is all about! Drop-in, no reservation needed.

    • BOARD GAMES at the Eau Claire YMCA Every Mon, Wed, Fri, 10 AM-NOON, Entrance D

      • ​Grab your workout buddy or join a group already playing! Enjoy a classic board game before heading back to busy life. Coffee will be available. All ages welcome, especially our Active & Ageless members (50+).
         

  • STAY-AT-HOME & HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES

    • September 13, 9-11 AM at the Eau Claire YMCA

      • Bring your kids down for a morning of fun and activity at the YMCA. We’ll start out in the gym for an hour of games and socialization with parents and kids. Then, from 10-11 AM, parents can take advantage of a free hour of childcare in Child Watch to get in a workout, relax, or use the party room to prep/grade your homeschooling. Independent learners ages 10 and up can use the Youth Development Center during this time.

    • September 13, 9:00-11:30 AM, FAMILY FUN ZONE at the YMCA Sports Center

      • Get in the zone—the Family Fun Zone, that is! Enjoy open play on our large turf filed filled with fun toys, games, sports equipment, inflatables, and dress up clothes. Organized activities will also be offered for those who wish to participate.

    • September 15, 9:00-11:00 AM at the Chippewa Falls YMCA

      • We’ll start out in the gym for an hour of open play with parents and kids. Then at 10 AM, parents can take advantage of a free hour of childcare in Child Watch to get in a workout. Workout on your own or invite one ofthe other parents to join you!
         

  • LET’S GET FIT!
    All Group Exercise and Water Exercise classes are FREE and open to EVERYONE during Welcoming Week at the Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls YMCA’s. To see a complete schedule of all Group Exercise and Water Exercise classes offered during Welcoming Week, please click on your branch:

  • Read class descriptions below. All Group Exercise & Water Exercise Classes are drop-in and no reservations are required to attend.
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  • Cycling/Strength | Chippewa Falls YMCA

    • Fridays, Sept 9 & Sept 16 at 5:30 AM
       

  • Variety | Chippewa Falls YMCA

    • Saturdays, Sept 10 & Sept 17 at 8:00 AM
       

  • Spin, Strength, Soul | Chippewa Falls YMCA

    • Sundays, Sept 11 & Sept 18 at 7:30 AM
       

  • Deep Intentions | Eau Claire YMCA

    • Monday, Sept 12 & Wednesday, Sept 14 at 8:00 AM

    • A water exercise class designed for all levels with an emphasis on stretching, toning, and core-work with deep intentional intervals that include Pilates, Yoga, and breathwork.  No swimming ability is required; however, participants must be comfortable in deep water.
       

  • Sculpt Yoga | Chippewa Falls YMCA

    • Monday, Sept 12 at 5:30 PM
       

  •  Aqua Zumba® | Eau Claire YMCA

    • Tuesday, Sept 13 & Thursday, Sept 15 at 8:00 AM

    • Combining the Zumba® philosophy with vigorous aqua exercises, this is one pool party you don’t want to miss! The water’s resistance cushions your feet, knees and back as you dance the class away! Classes are held in shallow water (chest deep) for a great low impact but challenging workout.
       

  • Fitness Conditioning | Chippewa Falls YMCA

    • Tuesday, Sept 13 at 4:30 PM 
       

  • Cardio Blast and Sculpt | Eau Claire YMCA

    • Tuesday, Sept 13 & Thursday, Sept 15 at 9:00 AM

    • A group fitness format that combines dumbbells and upbeat music into a calorie burning blast! Safe and effective for all ages and fitness levels, using light weights to create a fun, full body workout which combines the benefits of strength training, functional movements, and cardiovascular exercise. 
       

  • Shallow Water Exercise | Chippewa Falls YMCA

    • Wednesday, Sept 14 at 8:00 AM - (water class) 
       

  • Deep Water Exercise | Chippewa Falls YMCA

    • Wednesday, Sept 14 at 8:00 AM - (water class)

    • A water exercise class designed for all levels with an emphasis on stretching, toning, and core-work with deep intentional intervals that include Pilates, Yoga, and breathwork.  No swimming ability is required; however, participants must be comfortable in deep water.
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  • Zumba® (in Spanish) | Eau Claire YMCA

    • Thursday, September 15 at 6:00 PM

    • Join Cinthia as we take the “work” out of workout by mixing low intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie burning dance fitness party. Once the Latin and World Rhythms take over, you’ll see why Zumba® fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise. 
       

  • Indoor Cycling (in Spanish) | Eau Claire YMCA

    • Sunday, September 18 at 4:30 PM in the Cycling Studio

    • Join Sara Echarri Recarte for a cardiovascular workout performed to music on a stationary bike. It is simple, fun, and easy to learn. This class will be taught in Spanish but is open to all.
       

  • Remember, to see class descriptions and view our complete Group Exercise & Water Exercise Class schedule, please click here.

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I checked out the Y and I LOVED it, now what?

If you decide to join the Y during Welcoming Week, you will receive 6 free passes to give to your friends!

Health and fitness is way more fun with friends, so share what you love with them!

  • To learn more about YMCA Membership options, click here.

  • Did you know, if you are unable to afford a YMCA Membership, our community supported Membership For All program can provide you with a sponsored membership? Click here to learn more and see if you qualify

  • Unsure if joining is right for you, or have questions about what a membership entails? Contact the YMCA Member Service Team and they will be happy to talk you through your options and see if the YMCA is the right fit for you. 

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