NEWS & UPDATES
HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA


Posted on: Thursday, August 8th, 2024

Active & Healthy. Join Fall Sports Leagues Today

SPORTS LEAGUES (& LEAGUES PREP) START SEPT 13. REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Our sports and recreation programs develop more than skills – they develop character. At the Y, we cheer for more than points. We believe positive competition and a sport’s skill go hand-in-hand. Learn a sport, improve your skills, make new friends, and be active. League Dates: September 13-November 3, 2024

FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUES

DOWN SET HIKE! Our flag football league provides young players a fun and exciting opportunity to engage in non-contact, continuous action while learning lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. All players will receive an official NFL jersey; belts and flags will be provided at the field. Games will be held on Fridays at the North Attleboro and at the Foxboro Ys.

This coed league allows youth in grades K-5 to play flag football. All players participate in every game. We emphasize fun, fitness, skill development, fair play, and family involvement. The goal is to provide participants with a great place to learn football while having fun!

REGISTER TODAY

SOCCER LEAGUES

Youth Soccer is an exciting sport that combines individual skill with team effort. The program develops and enhances soccer skills while building on lifelong fundamentals, such as teamwork, fair play, and sportsmanship. Games will be held on Saturdays in Franklin and on Sundays at the North Attleboro and at the Foxboro Ys.

No benchwarmers here! Y Youth Soccer promises that every child will get to play. This coed league gives youth in grades Pre-K-3 the opportunity to play soccer.

REGISTER TODAY

LEAGUES PREP

A great way to get kids playing team sports, YMCA Leagues Prep puts kids on the field and gives them a chance to run, kick, score, hit, catch, throw, and learn all about how sportsmanship can be fun.

  • Flag Football Skills (Pre-K & Grade K; North Attleboro) Parent involvement is encouraged, as together we turn a child’s excitement and passion for sports into a healthy, positive outlet for them to gain new skills, develop a sense of team and connect with positive role models.
  • Tball Skills (age 3; North Attleboro) For our youngest players, the tee provides them with a stable ball while learning the basic motions of hitting.
  • Softball Skills (age 3-Grade K); North Attleboro) Learn softball while building character, developing self-confidence, and creating healthy relationships!
  • Soccer Skills (age 3; all locations) Our youth soccer skills classes help kids develop a love for sports by focusing on skill development and teaching the fundamentals of the game.

REGISTER TODAY

Football and Soccer Leagues are FREE with a Hockomock Area YMCA Family Membership*! Please register online to save your roster spot or give us a call if you have any questions.

* Leagues Prep are not included in this promotion. Uniform fees are not included in the promotion; if you are a family-type member, please check your email inbox (including your spam) for an email from Hockomock Area YMCA sent on 8/9/24. Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact our Membership Services at the phone numbers at the bottom of this website.

Posted on: Wednesday, August 7th, 2024

Legends Online Auction

LEGENDS ONLINE AUCTION

A Benefit for the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Integration Initiative

Amazing Items. Great Gifts.

** Bidding is now open! **

Here’s an excellent opportunity to contribute to a great cause and score unique gifts this holiday season! Our online auction is held to complement our October 15th Legends Ball at Lake Pearl. All funds benefit the Integration Inititative, which provides opportunities for children and adults with special needs in our communities. Since 2004, more than 1,600 children and families have participated in our initiative.

ONLINE AUCTION

Remember to bid high and bid often!

AMAZING ITEMS INCLUDE:

  • Birthday Party Packages
  • Signed Sports Memorabilia including Gronk, Jaylen Brown, Brenden Schooler & more
  • Private Chef Experience
  • Taste of Italy Basket
  • Makeup and Mimosa’s Party for 6
  • TPC Boston Foursome
  • At Sea with the Spiers Boating Experience
  • 2 Night Florida Stay in a Treehouse
  • Tree Work for a Day
  • Camping Package
  • Boston Celtics Tickets
  • 7 Night Italy Stay for 2
  • Yeti 65 Cooler
  • Smart House Package
  • Tree House Brewery Items
  • and much more!

Be sure to check back often, as new items will be added to the auction daily.

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Nicole at nicoleb@hockymca.org or 508-643-5235.

Posted on: Saturday, June 1st, 2024

Summer Camp Fun Now in Full Swing

Our summer Camps are now in full swing and we could not be more excited! Our summer camps provide a safe place for kids to get away from technology and all the stresses of the outside world, and lets them enjoy just being a kid. We are proud and respectful of the trust parents place in our YMCA, a safe environment for children combined with quality programming.

All of our camp counselors are trained in first aid, CPR, and child abuse prevention. All staff must sign and comply with our Y’s Code of Conduct and Abuse Prevention Policies. Our Y’s founding core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility are part of everything we do. Our camps give parents peace of mind knowing that their children are participating in safe, technology-free, fun and interactive activities with their peers, face to face, and having the time of their life.

At our camps, kids have the chance to try new things, to develop confidence, learn new skills, and have fun with old and new friends. Our campers will spend time in the beautiful outdoors while trying archery, rope climbing, planting in the garden, and so much more. They’ll play game favorites like Gaga, Capture the Flag, and Sticks & Arrows and swim daily in our pools. Our campers receive a daily swim lesson and get free swim time in the pool. Campers in Grades 2-6 will go on local field trips and special guests will visit our younger campers to round out their summer experience. And throughout all of these activities, our campers are creating amazing friendships and memories of the #BestSummerEver.

Our camp offerings range from traditional camps to sports camps, to enrichment camps, teen travel camps and more, for ages 3 through the teen years. To see more details on our camps and what camp would best fit your child, click on the orange “camp offerings” button.

To see what field trips and special guests are planned for our campers, please see below!

We look forward to meeting you and providing your kids with an amazing summer.

CAMP OFFERINGS

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Posted on: Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024

Kevin Hines Event

Featuring Kevin Hines

A message of Hope, Healing & Resiliency

Sponsored by our Hockomock Area YMCA, Healthy KP, the SAFE Coalition and MetroWest Health Foundation in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Cross Insurance Pavilion, Gillette Stadium

Foxborough, Mass

  • Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
  • Program begins at 6:30 p.m.
  • Q&A and Meet & Greet at 7:40 p.m.

Parking Information: Please park in Lot 22A and look for signage for the Kevin Hines event. To view the Gillette Stadium parking map: click here.

In 2000, Kevin Hines attempted his death by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge at age 19. He survived the fall and ever since he’s dedicated his life to advocating for those with mental pain and talking about mental health.

Kevin lives with a strict motto… Life is the single greatest gift we’ve been given. Cherish it always. #BeHereTomorrow

This event is free but registration is required through the YMCA.

REGISTER TODAY

All in the community (ages 10+ with guardian) are invited to attend.

Kevin now travels the world sharing his story of hope and healing while teaching people of all ages the art of wellness & the ability to survive pain with true resilience to be here tomorrow and every day after that.

This event is offered at no cost to the community due to the support and commitment to mental well-being provided by the Hockomock Area YMCA, Healthy KP and the SAFE Coalition, and the MetroWest Health Foundation.

Questions about this event, please email pur YMCA’s Social Worker Brynne Kirwan, LCSW at brynnek@hockymca.org.

Learn about Kevin’s journey and his mission to empower us to be here tomorrow and every day after that.

Posted on: Saturday, April 20th, 2024

Child Protection Praesidium Accreditation®

Each and every day, our Y remains focused on child protection and child safety.

I’m sharing today that our YMCA has some exciting news. Our YMCA has been awarded Praesidium Accreditation® by Praesidium, the leader in abuse risk management.

Praesidium Accreditation® is a prestigious honor that publicly acknowledges our organization has a strong commitment and the resources in place to achieve the highest industry standards in safety and abuse prevention.

To achieve Accreditation, our YMCA underwent a year-long rigorous process to implement Praesidium’s Accreditation Standards focusing on eight primary operational areas within their business: policies, screening and selection, training, monitoring and supervision, consumer participation, internal feedback systems, responding, and administrative practices. Praesidium then verified our Y successfully implemented all of these standards.

We will be accredited for three years, and during this time will commit to uphold fundamental organizational values and stringent safety practices that demonstrate our commitment to protecting those in our care from abuse.

We are proud to be part of the 24 YMCAs across the nation to reach this accreditation status and we look forward to helping mentor other YMCAs in their process of becoming accredited.

We encourage all individuals and organizations to play an active role in partnering with us to make our local communities a safer place for children and families. Together, we can prevent child sexual abuse by ensuring that adults have the knowledge, skills and resources needed to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. All of our resources are here.

Sincerely,

Jim Downs
CEO, Hockomock Area YMCA

Posted on: Thursday, April 11th, 2024

Calling Camp Counselors

We’re Recruiting!

Spring is here, and that means Summer Camp is up next. We’re now in the process of hiring amazing Summer staff.

If you know a responsible teen or young adult who would enjoy providing leadership and a little structure for younger kids (out in the sunshine), please give a shout. A camp counselor job can be an enriching and rewarding experience (and it pays!).

Our YMCA has so much going on this summer, and we need you!

Our Jobs Portal

Posted on: Friday, January 19th, 2024

Volt Hockey

Get in the Game with Volt Hockey

Our YMCA is so excited to be launching Volt Hockey through our Integration Initiative!

Volt Hockey is a para-sport designed for people with upper and lower body physical disabilities including Muscular Dystrophy, Spina-bifida, Dwarfism, and Cerebral Palsy. Volt Hockey is played in specialty motorized chairs, bringing the game of floor hockey to a population that would not otherwise have access to team sports.

This Learn to Play program will be a drills-and-skills format for new players of Volt Hockey who are current wheelchair users. Players will learn basics of driving the chairs, basic rules of play, and fundamental techniques and strategies of the game. We are launching the program beginning February 3rd.

Offered for ages 13+ on Saturdays from 3:15pm-4:15pm at our Hurley Family Branch in North Attleboro.

REGISTER WITH US

Cost: $48 member & non-member per month

A competitive option will be available to players by coach invitation.

For more information, please contact Sarah Henesey at sarahh@hockymca.org.

This innovative program is being offered through a partnership between our Hockomock Area YMCA, Space2Thrive and the generous sponsorship of Bill & Tina Belanger.

Posted on: Sunday, December 31st, 2023

New outdoor tree-climbing elements at our Franklin Y

New outdoor tree-climbing elements have been added at our Bernon Family Branch as an enhancement to our outdoor challenge course in Franklin. The new climbing elements were funded by a generous donation from longtime Y supporters Paula Rooney and Gerry Shaw, and will be used extensively in spring and summer 2024 with youth participating in the Y’s Before & After School Care and Summer Camp programs, as well as local school groups visiting the Y.

In late August, we installed Monkey Hardware systems on trees on at the Franklin Y, each providing a different climbing level of accessibility. These kits effectively turn the trees into climbing walls and are paired with the TRUBLUE iQ auto belay system. The TRUBLUE auto belays allow climbers of all ages and skill levels to climb heights safely. Rather than pulling the young climber upwards, they allow climbers to ascend the tree on their own power, while providing rest as needed during the climb with its catch and hold technology. Once the climber has reached the top of the climb they have chosen, the auto belays use magnetic braking technology to lower the climber back down slowly and safely to the ground.

“From their decades in leadership at Dean College in Franklin to their contributions as Board members of our Hockomock Area YMCA, Paula Rooney and Gerry Shaw have a long history of supporting youth and families in the Franklin community,” said Jim Downs, Hockomock Area YMCA CEO. “Our Y staff and members are so appreciative that they continue to find new ways to enhance operations at our Y and help us provide an even better experience for the youth we serve.”

The Monkey Hardware and TRUBLUE auto belays have received rave reviews from Y summer campers. “These new elements have brought the kids together in a new way that I have not seen in a long time. When a camper was climbing their whole group would be watching and cheering them on to reach the top,” said Ashley Dumas, Youth Program Director at the Bernon Family Branch. “It gave the kids something to work towards and accomplish. It was amazing watching the campers challenge themselves to make it higher than they did last time or try a harder climb.”

Our Hockomock Y is grateful for this generous donation made possible by Paula Rooney and Gerry Shaw. The Franklin Y’s camp and playing fields also feature Gramdma’s Place, an outdoor pavilion with weatherproof tables and seating, which was built with funds donated by the Rooney & Shaw family.

Registration for the 2024 Summer Camp Season begins January 12, 2024!

Register Now for Summer Camp 2024

Posted on: Friday, December 29th, 2023

Stronger Together: Team and Personal Training Programs

Stronger Together is our Y’s latest team training and personal training program

A premier personal training program that takes place at our Bernon Family Branch in Franklin. Workouts are completed in a private, dedicated space used for Stronger Together clients only on the second floor of our Franklin Y.

Start with an assessment to learn about the program: Stronger Together programs start with a free Starting Point Session. The 60-minute session allows our trainer to learn about your goals and challenges, observe your movement quality and create the perfect plan for you!

The Starting Point Session will include:

  • Finding out more about you: your goals, limitations, and health history.
  • Giving you a tour of our dedicated Stronger Together personal training area.
  • Assessing movement patterns with a Functional Movement Screen to help find the right exercises specifically for you.
  • Go through a light workout so you can experience the different tools we use during Stronger Together workouts.
  • Provide recommendations on a program that suits your goals, time and budget.

All of this information will be used to help create your training program and keep you injury free along the way!

BE HEALTHY. BE STRONG. BELONG.

What is Stronger Together?

  • Stronger Together is our premier one-on-one and group personal training system helping people look and feel their absolute best.

  • Team Training is a 45 minute workout perfect for those who want coaching from a personal trainer every time they come to the gym and enjoy the dynamics of group workouts. We offer 3 great options for Team Training – Foundations for beginners, Afterburn for advanced metabolic training and Industrial Strength for a true strength training option – and members can do unlimited sessions each month. $100 per month.

  • Personal training is perfect for clients with specific goals, injuries and those who do not prefer to work in larger groups. We can accommodate nearly all fitness levels and health issues in this setting. For those with more experience in fitness, we program more advanced exercises, which require more hands-on coaching. We begin to introduce lower repetition ranges and focus on those with strength goals. Also, we work on corrective strategies to help clients improve their movement restrictions. Team Training is included in all one-on-one personal training programs as a way to supplement the workouts. Options include up to 4, 8 and 12 sessions per month, and cost ranges from $201 to $471 per month.

Workouts are scheduled appointments to make sure you stay on track with getting started. Track your progress and communicate with your trainer with a custom mobile app. You’ll schedule your monthly personal meetings to discuss basic nutrition coaching, goal-setting and strategy. These personalized sessions are designed to keep you on track… so you can be on your way to reaching your goals.

Tailored to your goals, time and budget: our monthly programs allow you the most flexibility in scheduling workouts and finding a program that’s works for you.

Special Offer!

  • All of our Hockomock Y members have $50 personal Y Bucks to use towards any Stronger Together personal training program. Certain restrictions may apply.

How to Get Started:

Contact our Fitness & Personal Training Director Chris Raymond at chrisr@hockymca.org or 774-235-2732 to get started with us today. Let’s get Stronger Together!

Posted on: Friday, December 29th, 2023

Weigh to Change Program

Our Weigh to Change program offers a great opportunity to support and guide you in your quest to look and feel better, year round.

Registration with us today.

The Weigh to Change program offers support and education in both areas of fitness and nutrition. By combining physical training and better nutrition, participants will benefit in the most successful way to achieve weight loss. Participants will be challenged through personal training, nutrition guidance, group workouts, and friendly challenge competitions.

Specifically the Weigh to Change Program includes:

  • 45-minute personal training sessions
  • Individual nutrition consults with our nutritionist
  • 4 Nutrition/Wellness workshops
  • Weekly group training workouts
  • Group step challenges
  • Styku 3-D body scans to help track progress
  • Social event or outing with other program members and monthly virtual welcome meetings for those who are new to meet other members and go over the monthly schedule
  • Facebook group page to help stay in touch and share tips and advice with other program members

REGISTER HERE FOR WEIGH TO CHANGE

Become one of our Weigh to Change success stories…you will be so glad you did!

Words from some of our participants:


“With the help and guidance of the Y staff, I lost 12 pounds during the 10 weeks! I still have 50 pounds to go but the big difference now is that I know I CAN do it. And that feeling is priceless!”
– Jennifer S., Milford resident


“This program is so comprehensive combining both physical workouts and nutrition. I am amazed…I lost 35 pounds and 8 inches off my waist in 10 weeks! Weigh to Change is incredible; I wholeheartedly recommend it!”
– Kevin S., North Attleboro resident


“I originally set a goal to lose 10 lbs and complete a 5k race. Well, I have run my first 5k and have now lost a total of 23 lbs and 28 inches in 10 weeks. The reason this program is such a success compared to all of the other programs I have tried before, is because Weigh to Change is the entire package. I learned so much about exercise and nutrition and how to believe in myself again!”
– Connie W., Foxboro resident