YMCA of Northern Alberta
#200, 10006 - 101 Avenue T8V 0Y1 Grande Prairie, AB, Canada

We're throwing it back to a cooking class that provided a hands-on cooking experience for youth. While these classes were called "domestic science" back then, we still run similar programs to this day, such as collective and specialty kitchens. #ThrowbackThursday #Throwback

One of the most traditional smells and activities of the holiday season is gingerbread. Whether it’s an old tradition or the start of a new one many of us take part in the joy of baking and decorating gingerbread houses or gingerbread people. Below is a link to a recipe to bring to life this fun family tradition at home with you children. Enjoy! http://ow.ly/kmFK50CPNzr... Opportunities to learn from elders and community leaders can provide authentic and meaningful experiences that connect curriculum to living and lifeThese connections to family, social, and cultural practices and traditions have the potential to build appreciation for differences and nurture respect and social responsibility within family and community. (Makovichuk, Hewes, Litrette, Thomas, Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework, 2014)

Enjoy your time off with a cardio and strength workout from YMCA fitness instructor Vicki! Don't have equipment in your home? No problem! We've got some options for you.

From our Y family to yours, we wish you a very #MerryChristmas and happy holiday!

Thanks to EPCOR Canada's #HeartAndSoulFund, your donation to the YMCA will be matched, dollar for dollar, when you visit northernalberta.ymca.ca/give. Act fast because EPCOR will match up to a total of $25,000 during this month only! #YGivingIsBetter

Today's the last day that EPCOR Canada's #HeartAndSoulFund will match all donations, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $25,000! Visit northernalberta.ymca.ca/give to double your impact and support your community today.

On the Twelfth Day of Wellness... 'Tis the night before Christmas and the gifts are all wrapped, All the kids are asleep! You can finally kick back. Leave that milk and those cookies! They're just to admire!... Instead, warm yourself by this lovely yule fire... http://ow.ly/mb0K50CPKIb

There's been a lot going on this year, and all this change can be difficult for youth to grasp. Take a break from the day-to-day and spend time with your teen today. YMCA Youth Advisor Jana and special guest Melissa are sharing their peanut butter cookie recipe that your family can do together!

There's only one day left to double your impact when you give to the YMCA. Thanks to EPCOR Canada's #HeartAndSoulFund, your donation is being matched, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $25,000 this month! Visit northernalberta.ymca.ca/give today to double your impact! #YGivingIsBetter

Our YMCA Community Action Network, or YCAN, has been busy working with youth to organize and address community needs here in Grande Prairie. The program, which is part of the Canada Service Corps initiative, supports youth with opportunities to identify and execute a local service project that is meaningful to them. Visit http://ow.ly/MCHO50CplT0 to see what this program does in the community! #ActionYMCA #LeadersToday #CanadaServiceCorps

Did you know the YMCA became so well known for its outstanding gymnastics programs it was considered one of the best places to train? Pictured below is a YMCA Leaders' Corps Pyramid formation. #TBT #YMCAHistory

How do you empower others to act for peace in their communities? At the Y, we're working hard to help people gain the skills and tools they need to succeed so that they can foster peace around them. That is what YMCA Peace Week is all about.

For today’s activity, have your child create their own wintery outdoor world as they use their imagination and make their own snow globe. Materials: - Glass jar (an old pasta sauce jar is great to use) - Glitter or sequins - Winter figurines (you can either get Christmas village figurines or use modeling clay and make your own) ... - Glycerin (this isn’t necessary it just helps the glitter float better) - Glue gun - Glue sticks - Water Directions: 1. Using the lid set up your own winter scene with the figurines. Once you are happy with the way it looks glue figurines to the inside of the lid. 2. Fill the jar with water and teaspoon of glycerin, then add 1-2 teaspoons of glitter. 3. Place glue around the outside lip of the jar or along the inside of the lid, this helps seal the lid once it’s place on the top of the jar. 4. Place the lid back on top of the jar. Once the glue is dry flip it over and shake it up, watching the snow float around in the globe. ‘Art is self-expression; where no two works look the same. Providing open-ended art, instead of colouring sheets or pre-cut shapes such as pumpkins or leaves to decorate will encourage creativity and self-esteem while developing fine motor skills.’ Early Returns: Manitoba’s ELCC Curriculum Framework for Preschool Centres and Nursery Schools, 2011 Martin and Huggins, YMCA Playing to Learn, 2015, pg.223

It’s at times like these that the YMCA remains deeply committed to doing what we do best: creating communities where everyone can connect, belong and thrive. Not only can you support people here in Grande Prairie, but together we can also help our friends at YMCA Bogotá. Make your local or international gift to the YMCA by visiting northernalberta.ymca.ca/give. #YGivingIsBetter

Good morning! If you're ready for a workout, check out this virtual strength class with Jasmyne. Did you know we have more of these workouts available to you? Visit http://ow.ly/mVey50CNa5J for details!

Good morning! Who's ready for Cardio Kickboxing?

YMCA at Home's YWell series brings mental health supports to your home, with videos for a variety of levels. In this session, Bonnie is taking us on a nature walk to help us be in the present moment by connecting with our senses. Visit https://youtu.be/-76AKjKrFcM for today's video!

Who doesn’t love to take a big sheet of bubble wrap and pop the bubbles? Today’s YMCA Child Care activity will not only help work on your child’s letter recognition, but it will also bring the fun of popping bubbles on a sheet of bubble wrap! Here's what you'll need: Bubble wrap Different coloured felt markers Directions:... 1. On the backside of a piece of bubble wrap, write both the lowercase and uppercase letters of the alphabet. 2. Either spread the bubble wrap out on a table or, using some painter's tape, attach it to the wall at your child’s level. 3. Once the bubble wrap is in place, call out either upper or lowercase and have your child search for the letter. Once found, have them pop it and then repeat the process. Discrimination is the skill that allows the reader to know which features of print affect the meaning (often referred to as the concept of print). This involves distinguishing letters, words and other language symbols (such as mathematical signs), as well as an appreciation for how books works as distinct from other objects. (YMCA Playing to Learn, Martin and Huggins, 2015)

Join us for Tabata with Jasmyne!

What does peace mean to you? Social justice, Freedom and kindness are just some of the words that come to mind for our Y family. This YMCA Peace Week, we challenge you to act for peace. Whether it's through a small act of kindness or just checking in on your neighbour, anything can help bring peace to your community.

Canadian youth need support, and they want youth-serving agencies to help them, but we can't do it alone. Despite economic uncertainty, world wars and global pandemics, our Y has always helped people grow and thrive over the last 113 years. Today, we need your help. Whether you register for a YMCA program or service, or give to YMCA Giving at northernalberta.ymca.ca/Give to support your community directly, or talk to your MLA or MP about sector stabilization, it will make all the difference.

Lower-back pain can make us uncomfortable and hesitant to continue working out. If you're an avid gym user, you know how important it is to listen to your body while exercising. While the lower-back pain might be uncomfortable, you might be able to continue your workout by making some changes like these: http://ow.ly/4AMN50Csv4e.

Let's get a sweat going this morning in Amy's Cardio Kickboxing class! You don't even need anything for today's workout. Let's get moving!

From eating right to morning runs to talking about your mental health, there are so many different ways we can all practice self-care. This is especially important as we head into winter. Here are some tips for your self-care routine: http://ow.ly/mvw350CqFdc.