Back-to-school season means new routines, packed calendars and the familiar question: How do we fit in time to stay active, have fun and actually connect as a family?
This fall, the YMCA of Greater Erie is making that answer a little easier with Y Your Way Membership and a new season of programs designed to help kids and families learn, move, play and belong.
This article is sponsored by YMCA of Greater Erie.
Y Your Way!
Looking for one place where your family can swim, move, try new activities and spend time together? YMCA of Greater Erie’s Y Your Way Membership lets you build a membership circle that works for your family.
Explore Y Your Way Membership →
A note from Kara: My family has gotten a lot of value out of our YMCA of Greater Erie membership over the years. Between swimming, workouts, kids’ activities, and family events, it’s one of those memberships that actually gives everyone in our house something to use year-round.
I also appreciate the flexibility. When life gets especially busy, the Y makes it easy to pause or cancel your membership and pick things back up when your routine settles down again.
A Membership Built Around Your Family
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From family time to fitness, swimming and kids' programs, YMCA of Greater Erie offers plenty of ways for families to find what works for them.
Families come in all shapes, sizes and stages of life, and YMCA membership should, too.
With Y Your Way, you choose who is in your membership circle, creating a membership that better fits your life. The structure features family-friendly rates while connecting your circle to all YMCA of Greater Erie locations and a wide range of membership benefits.
For busy families, those benefits can make a big difference. Members can enjoy multiple pools, hundreds of included group exercise classes, family gym nights, and member-only drop-in babysitting while caregivers use the Y. Take 2 hours for yourself to swim, workout, catch up with a friend or simply enjoy a hot cup of coffee at the Y.
Membership also provides access to Camp Sherwin in Lake City (beautiful anytime but especially in the Fall), and discounts on programs such as youth sports, child care and summer camp.
Find Their Thing This Fall
Fall program registration is underway, with opportunities for children to try something new, build skills and make new friends.
Have a little one who seems to be in constant motion? Preschool and school-age gym programs introduce children to sports such as soccer and basketball along with exercise games and activities designed to build coordination, confidence and teamwork.
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Kids can try sports, swimming and other activities designed to build confidence and skills.
YMCA swim lessons help children progress from becoming comfortable in the water to developing swimming skills, stamina and important water-safety abilities. Preschool and school-age options are available throughout YMCA locations, and at the Y @ Montessori – the Y’s newest opportunity to serve families in the Western part of Erie County.
Girls age 11-17 can learn the fundamentals of Flag Football with an evening clinic at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Learn with Coach Mary McDade, who played tackle football for 11 seasons with the Erie Illusion.
Artists in your family can enjoy everything from crochet basics to 3D art workshops.
And for kids who love figuring out how things work, the Y's STEM programming offers another way to keep curious minds learning outside the classroom.
Browse YMCA of Greater Erie fall programs →
And as the holiday season approaches, let the Y help clear some time in your schedule. With Parent Afternoon and Parent Night Out events, take up to 4 hours for shopping, wrapping, baking or just simply relaxing while your kids are enjoying holiday-themed activities, games, snacks, pizza and maybe even a visit from the big guy himself!
From fitness and swimming to arts, STEM and special events, families can find plenty of ways to make the Y their own.
Make the Membership Work for You
Ready to find what moves your family this fall? Explore Y Your Way Membership and when you’re ready, use this handy calculator to find the right combination for your membership circle. (And remember, when you add “children” to your circle, it’s a $10 per month flat fee – not $10 per child!)
Try the YMCA's membership calculator!
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Not everyone in your family planning to use the Y? The Y makes it easy to manage members. If it makes more sense for your family to join with family friends, cousins, neighbors or grandparents – Y Your Way works for you too! You choose the adults (up to 4) and the total members (up to 6). You don’t have to be related and you don’t have to share an address! And you can change members anytime.
With the YMCA, there are no limited-time offers, no scrambling to catch a sale. Just transparency, flexibility, and year-round value, all with access to some of the best family programs happening this fall.
Ready to find your family’s way to Y?
Build a membership circle that fits your family, explore fall programs and see everything YMCA of Greater Erie has to offer.
