YMCA of Northern Alberta
2-301 Sparrow Hawk Drive T9K 0P1 Fort McMurray, AB, Canada

Make the most of the new year by registering for our winter programs! From group fitness to children's sports programs, you can visit northernalberta.ymca.ca/Online to register for a YMCA program today.

On the Third Day of Wellness... Gumdrops on cookies so chewy and tasty, icing at bedtime on top of some pastry. Tummy aches come from these sugary riots, ... let's have some veggies and balance our diets! http://ow.ly/cUWv50CLjzR

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/M3sD50CqFde.

Your YMCA Child Care Team is bringing you an activity that you can deck your halls with handmade ornaments this holiday season! Here is a recipe for salt dough along with directions on how you can create ornaments to hang throughout your home. Here's what you'll need: 1 cups of water 1 cup of salt 4 cups of all-purpose flour Cookie cutters... Rolling Pin Baking tray Straws Parchment paper Acrylic paint, sparkles, glue, ribbon and mod podge spray Directions: 1. Mix the salt and flour, then add water. Stir this together, then use your hands at the end to knead it into a smooth ball of dough. If it’s too dry or hard to knead, add small amounts of water. Once it’s all mixed, you should have a smooth ball of dough that can roll out with not too many bumps. 2. Using your rolling pin, roll the dough out into a inch to inch thick sheet. 3. Using the cookie cutters, cut out the shapes that you want to make into ornaments and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray. Use a straw to create a hole at the top of each ornament. Place them somewhere safe and let them air dry for 24 hours. This will help them from not bubbling up when you bake them! 4. Once the air drying has finished, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the ornaments for 12 hours, flipping them halfway through so that both sides dry out. Once they are dry, remove them from the oven and place them on cooling racks until cool. 5. Once cooled, using your paint and sparkles, decorate the ornaments however you choose! Place them somewhere safe to dry. When the paint is dry, spray with the mod podge spray to seal and protect them and again let them dry. Once dry, place a piece of ribbon through the hole at the top, and hang them around the house to decorate! Children must be given daily opportunities to nurture self-expression and creativity through the visual arts. (Martin and Huggins, YMCA Playing to Learn, 2015)

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!

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.

Join us for Tabata with Jasmyne!

We're reminded this YMCA Peace Week that community is needed more than ever before, so connect with your neighbours, family and friends, virtually. Building and strengthening community connections and capacity is a big part of how the YMCA is building peace. Together, we can act for peace.

Enjoy a workout with our group fitness team this morning! Today, we're sharing this Plyo and Strength workout that you can watch anytime on our YouTube channel. Let's get moving!

Canadians have been turning to charities like the Y for social programs and services since March, and for the sector to be able to continue these important services for the community, we need sector stabilization from the Federal Government. When charities struggle, Canadians struggle. #cdnpoli #CommunityCOVIDRelief

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/H8VQ50Csv4f.

Join Wendy for her HIIT class to start your day!

Thanks to the Edmonton Community Foundation's COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, Judy from our Collective Kitchen program is able to share quick and easy recipes with your health in mind. You can find all of her favourites on our YouTube channel: http://ow.ly/IGwR50C38c0. Let us know what you make!

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!

Cold weather and the white stuff have trickled in and abruptly ended a rather mild fall. As we settle in for the cooler months ahead, remember to take care of ourselves and the people around us. Our world had changed, and so have our routines, so creating time for self-care is more important than ever. Here are some self-care ideas to help you this winter: http://ow.ly/1UWW50C1kLU.

On the Second Day of Wellness... T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The children were tucked into bed with much care... Mom's doing "yoga", shavasana, she's just laying there. https://youtu.be/v7nNFj80RWs

Charities like the Y need your support more than ever. This is no secret. While we can't predict the future, we know that with your help, we'll be able to serve our community in the ways they need it most while everyone gets back on their feet. Give to the Y today by visiting northernalberta.ymca.ca/Give or help support charitable sector stabilization by contacting your MLA and MP. #YGivingIsBetter

Cold weather and darker days already cause our mental health routines to slip through the cracks. Add on a pandemic that forces us to keep physically distant from one another and it's cause for concern. As Canadians, we must continue to help each other. Pick up the phone and call your neighbour, video call your family and host a virtual game night with friends. We're in this together.

It's our final day of Move to Give, powered by ENMAX! With one day left, we have raised over $5800 for YMCA programs and services! The day isn't over, so let's finish strong and raise some final funds for our community. Thank you so much for the support!

Our teams were creating and participating in many YMCA Peace Week activities over the last week. Here's what our YMCA Child Care centres were up to!

Our YMCA Digital Skills Literacy program is helping make technology more accessible by creating short videos to help you navigate the doodads you might need to stay connected with your family and in your community. Watch them here: http://ow.ly/KuSW50C1jeN!

We all love sweet treats, so when Judy from our YMCA Collective Kitchen series said she made them with a twist, we were all over it! Thanks to the Edmonton Community Foundation's COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, you can check out her latest recipe here: https://youtu.be/GAaxEsT8gZs.

Halloween will be different this year, but that doesn't mean it's not happening. That being said, we can all help create a safe Halloween by visiting alberta.ca/Halloween. Halloween will be different this year, but that doesn't mean it's not happening. That being said, we can all help create a safe Halloween by visiting http://ow.ly/BwY450C1k98!

YMCA Fitness at Home is a video series that brings virtual workouts for everyone from beginners to experienced and includes workouts for those with reduced mobility. Today we're joined by Wendy who's taking us through a low-impact barre class! Let's get moving: https://youtu.be/AQ83iwNJ2Uc!

Good morning and happy day 16 of Move to Give, powered by ENMAX! How are you moving today? Take a photo or video and tag us in it so we can cheer you on! And make sure you share this page to help us reach our $50,000 fundraising goal: northernalberta.ymca.ca/movetogive.

We can make the most of the winter while keeping physically distant from one another by going out for a walk, playing in the snow with your kids, or even building a snowman! Here are some more things your family can do: http://ow.ly/cgfG50CqyBc.

It's time to make the case for positive change in your community! Advocacy is an important part of building peace because we all can advocate for the world we want to see. Don't wait to act for peace. Start today! #YMCAPeaceWeek

Do you need to spice up your school lunch game? Judy from our YMCA Collective Kitchen series is working on a new series of videos that are all about the great things your kids can have for lunch! For now, you can check out 42 of her favourite quick and easy recipes here: http://ow.ly/QXT950C0glI.

Sure, you can start exercising and eating out less tomorrow. However, the more you push the things in life that allow you to live physically and psychologically healthy, the more it negatively impacts your work output or at home life. If you need a place to start, here are some things to add to your self-care routine: http://ow.ly/ZpE950BTOuK.

If your child can't get enough bubbles in their life and are having a difficult time now that the weather has cooled, we feel their pain. Good thing this next YMCA Child Care activity allows your child to create art with bubbles! See how you can make your own bubbles to paint with by visiting http://ow.ly/Tl0M50C10WE. Looking for another activity? Check out http://ow.ly/Aneb50C10WL for a library full of resources thanks to our YMCA Child Care team! Children must be given dai...ly opportunities to nurture self-expression and creativity through the visual arts. Stencils, colouring book pictures and teacher-directed crafts are not part of the visual arts program. Not only do they not allow for self-expression, they inhibit growth in creative expression and erode the child’s sense of accomplishment. (YMCA Playing to Learn, Martin and Huggins, 2015) See more

Good morning! Join us for a live yoga class with Lunda for day 15 of Move to Give, powered by ENMAX!

Today is the day! We've partnered with Poverty Reduction Network - Wood Buffalo to collect new mittens and socks for our region's homeless. Stop by our drive thru event today between 58pm at the Westwood Family YMCA!

Life can be busy, so find time this evening to be outdoors and admire the beautiful landscape fall creates (well, if you still consider this fall). You'll be surprised how motivational nature can be. Too chilly? We get it, so here are some other ways you can help yourself thrive!

Turn your home in to a set of pathways and movements with this fun YMCA Child Care activity! All you will need is a roll of painters tape and your imagination to get started and to make sure you do not harm your floors. It is getting dark earlier, and the temperature is beginning to drop, but your children's energy may still be high. Encourage them to move throughout your home in different ways so that they get the physical activity that they need! Use the tape to create diff...erent pathways for your children to follow as they navigate through the house. For example, instead of having them walk directly from room to room, have the path lead them in a zig-zag or around the edge of the space. Space out "X" shapes to encourage them to hop along the path and explore different ways to have their body move. Encourage your child to run, skip, tiptoe throughout your home as they follow the paths you have created. "Ensuring children have access throughout the day to gross motor activities indoors and outdoors is critical to healthy growth and development. Equipment, both inside and out, should be available for children to choose freely whenever their bodies require these activities. When a toddler's body tells her she needs to climb, crawl, run or jump, there is no stopping her. Indeed, it is unfair and inappropriate to tell her to wait until gym or outdoor "time." The physical desire is strong for these activities because they are such important developmental components, and they also may be helping her self-regulate." (YMCA Playing to Learn, Martin and Huggins, 2015)

Does anyone else need more salad at their dinner table? Judy, from our YMCA Collective Kitchen series, has a fresh salad for you to try! Just visit https://youtu.be/DwIIUJ697uQ to watch how quick and easy it is.

Perfect for those cold days, Judy from our YMCA Collective Kitchen series is sharing her carrot and ginger lentil soup for us to enjoy and keep warm! Our thanks to the Edmonton Community Foundation's COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund for supporting this series.

As we get into the Halloween season, children may be talking a lot about pumpkins and decorations. To help support this emerging interest, our YMCA Child Care team found a science experiment that children can make their own pumpkins using skittles, a plate and warm water. Check out the video here: http://ow.ly/CCkr50BYSfD. Just as children learn about mathematics through manipulation and discovery they learn science by manipulation, observation of the results of their manipulation and discovery of relationships and effects. The role in science is primary science requires a child to touch, taste, feel, smell, pull, push, rotate, mix, compare and so on. Young children must construct their own understanding of science from their experiences. (YMCA Playing To Learn, Martin and Huggins, 2015)

Don't forget that we'll be live once more tomorrow morning with a low-impact workout for your Move to Give workout fix! You’re welcome to join us even if you haven’t signed up for Move to Give, but consider making a donation to help us reach our $50,000 fundraising goal here: northernalberta.ymca.ca/movetogive.

It's day 14 of Move to Give, powered by ENMAX! Join us for a live fitness class to get moving or you can watch it later today. Tag us in your photos, and consider making a donation to help us reach our $50,000 fundraising goal here: northernalberta.ymca.ca/MoveToGive.

We're proud to work with the Poverty Reduction Network - Wood Buffalo during Poverty Reduction Week to bring awareness and support our region's homeless. On October 15, we'll be collecting new mitts and socks at the Westwood Family YMCA between 58pm. We hope you can stop by and give the gift of warmth to your community.

Taking a moment to outdoors allows us to connect with nature, but did you know it can also help kick start an active lifestyle? Find out why that is here: http://ow.ly/WLCv50BRAos! Will your Move to Give activity get you outside today?

Move to Give, powered by ENMAX ended on October 17, 2020, and we are happy to report that together we raised a total of $6,040 towards YMCA programs and services! Thank you for your incredible efforts fundraising, getting active, and sharing Move to Give with your family, friends and personal networks. Because of your efforts, the YMCA can continue to support the community’s greatest needs and help provide Y experiences to all regardless of financial background. Your moving to give makes a real difference in our community. We will be sure to share more details on Move to Give 2021 as soon as they become available.

Don’t forget, our Move to Give Facebook Live fitness class starts at 9:30am tomorrow! You’re welcome to join us even if you haven’t signed up for Move to Give, but consider making a donation to help us reach our $50,000 fundraising goal here: northernalberta.ymca.ca/movetogive.

There are so many ways to keep the feeling of summer year-round, like this pineapple cucumber salad! You can watch this quick and easy recipe from our YMCA Collective Kitchen series with Judy by visiting http://ow.ly/951v50BWUoW.

It's day 13 of Move to Give, powered by ENMAX! How are you moving today? Tag us in your photos, and consider making a donation to help us reach our $50,000 fundraising goal here: northernalberta.ymca.ca/MoveToGive.

For children that love to explore sensory play, our YMCA Child Care team has an activity for you, and it only requires three ingredients! Find out how you can create this construction slime at home by visiting http://ow.ly/yRt950BWAQH. Dispositions to learn are not taught to children; however, what educators do matters. When you respond to each child’s dispositions to learn extending and expanding their playing, seeking, participating, persisting, and caring, you value and acknowledge each child’s learning potential. In this way, you create a responsive care, play, and learning environment that encourages the many ways that children explore and create. (Makovichuk, Hewes, Lirette & Thomas, Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework, 2014)