Welcome Annette Smith to our Arts Department

Annette Smith is excited to start sharing her love and knowledge of theatre and all things dramatic with the Fox Valley Family YMCA community. She started acting at age 5 and found her passion on stage, spending every summer performing at theatre camps. When she reached high school she focused on theatre - beginning to teach at the same summer camp she attended growing up. When she started her time at Illinois State University she focused on acting and theatre education, wanting to help future generations find a home either on stage or backstage like she did. She also began her study of Shakespeare at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Annette moved to the Fox Valley Area from Chicago with her husband and son to be closer to their family.  She brings her passion for theatre in all its forms, especially Shakespeare and musicals, with her to the YMCA and looks forward to helping build a strong arts department for everyone!

View featured THEATRE WORKSHOPS, including Intro to Theatre and Improv, here.

Our Early Learning Academy has 2 locations at both Central Branch in Plano, IL and West Branch in Sandwich, IL.

We offer a full day / full year ages 0-3 years licensed program for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos where our highly trained and qualified teachers provide individualized care, create environments that support and encourage exploration, ensure children's health and safety and develop partnerships with families.

INFANTS (6 weeks - 15 months; 1:4 Ratio)
In the infant classroom, our primary emphasis is meeting the infant’s daily needs and providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. Children are provided with experiences that foster and develop their cognitive, social/emotional, and motor skills while encouraging their independence. Infants are engaged in developmentally appropriate toys, books, stories, and fingerplays throughout the day. They are learning through routines and attachments to their caregivers. Infant daily nap and meal schedule are based on the infant’s individual needs.

TODDLERS (16-24 months; 1:5 Ratio)
In the toddler classroom, children are introduced to a more structured and regular routine. Children are provided with an environment that encourages exploration and curiosity through child-initiated and teacher-guided activities. Toddlers have opportunities to make choices in art, sensory, exploration, problem-solving, music, books, self-help skills, and interactive play. The toddler classroom provides a rest time as part of the daily schedule.

TWOS (1:8 Ratio)
In the two’s classrooms, the children discover a stimulating environment arranged into various interests and learning centers. Our goal for our two-year-olds includes developing valuable self-help skills such as potty training, personal hygiene, dressing self and putting toys away. We also focus on building cognitive skills, such as counting, sorting, recognizing letters, colors, and shapes. Another important skill we work on is interacting with others. We have many opportunities for sharing, listening and taking turns. The two’s classroom provides a rest time as part of the daily schedule.

If you have any questions about any of the Early Learning Academy (ELA) services, please contact either Senior Child Care Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at (630)552-4100 or ELA West Branch Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at (815) 786-9998.

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Thursdays 6:30PM| Jan 9-Mar 5 | $275/team

This league has two divisions: Advanced and Competitive. If you are interested in a fun night of organized co-ed volleyball between novice and intermediate play, the Competitive league is for you. If your skill level is intermediate to advanced play, the Advanced division is what you’re looking for. Teams must consist of at least two females. There is an eight-team max for each division. Want to play but don't have a full team? Contact Sports Coordinator, Dustin Wayne at 630-552-4100 ext. 224

Attachments:

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Co-Ed Volleyball Rules

Our YMCA arts programs promote confidence and creativity through dance, drawing, drama, painting, music and more.

While the YMCA is traditionally known as a place to learn how to swim or practice your favorite sport, YMCAs are quickly becoming the place where kids and adults learn to paint, write, sing or act. The Fox Valley Family YMCA offers a variety of art and theater classes for children to experience a variety of art mediums such as theater, painting, drawing, sculpting and more.

According to a recent article, Dr. Kerry Freedman, Head of Art and Design Education at Northern Illinois University says, “Parents need to be aware that children learn a lot more from graphic sources now than in the past. Children need to know more about the world than just what they can learn through text and numbers. Art education teaches students how to interpret, criticize, and use visual information, and how to make choices based on it.” 

HOME SCHOOL ART CLASSES
Tuesdays, 2-3:00 pm  |  $71M/$104NM
Folk Art Painting- Jan 6-Feb 22

Cross Hatching in Ink- Feb 24- Apr 11

Pastel Butterflies- Apr 13- May 30

TWEEN TO TEEN ART CLASSES
Tuesdays, 5-6:00 pm  |  $71M/$104NM

Pointillism With Markers- Jan 6-Feb 22

Steam Punk Drawing- Feb 24- Apr 11

Form Rendering- Apr 13- May 30

ADULT ART CLASSES
Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30pm  |  $71M/$104NM

Pointillism With Markers- Jan 6-Feb 22

Steam Punk Drawing- Feb 24- Apr 11

Form Rendering- Apr 13- May 30

small group training just for kids!

Small-Group Training (4-8 participants) isn't just for adults, kids now have the ability to participate and benefit from group training with a certified fitness instructor. Introducing a fun and exciting way for your children to participate in a non-competitive exercise program built just for their age group and ability level.

SUGGESTED AGE GROUPS:
2-4 years, 5-7 years, 8-12 years
For more Information visit a front desk or email:
Central Branch contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
West Branch contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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What to expect from youth small group Training

• No Session Dates! We know fitting a workout into your busy schedule is tough and we don't want that to be the reason you're not able to work out. A great convenience of small group training is that you're able to designate start dates and class times with your trainer so that it fits your schedule!
• Think of small group training as a hybrid of personal training and group exercise classes. Benefit from one on one time but within a group of participants who are at your similar fitness level, creating a bond through healthy competition.
• How many participants can I expect? 4-8 participants 

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Can kids use the wellness center? YES!

• Kids age 10-13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times in the wellness center.
• Kids age 10-13 must complete an orientation prior to using the wellness center.  Please make an appointment at the front desk.
• Kids age 10 and up can participate in personal training and youth-specific small group training.
• Kids age 10-13 must check in at a front desk to receive a wrist band to use the wellness center.

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A gymnastics birthday party at the Y means that kids will have fun in our foam pit and tumble through our obstacle course! The Y provides pizzas, juice, tableware, and even a Birthday t-shirt - this is all included in the price. Plus, YMCA Gymnastics staff member will be on hand to run the party from start to finish. This includes all the setup and cleanup! See below for our 2 party package options:

PARTY PACKAGE 1 | Up to 15 children | $150M / $225NM | Ages 6+
The Y provides 1 staff, 2 large pizzas, 2 juices, all paper products and a Birthday t-shirt! 15 invites max including the birthday child. No more than 15 children.

PARTY PACKAGE 2 | 15-25 children | $230M / $330NM | Ages 6+
The Y provides 2 staff, 3 large pizzas, 2 juices, all paper products and a Birthday t-shirt! 25 invites max including the birthday child. No more than 25 children.

All parties run for 2 hours. Gymnastic parties can be held some Saturdays and most Sundays. 3 weeks notice is needed to secure a party date.

Call to book your birthday party today!
(630) 552-4100 EXT. 245

The Y offers many different themed parties.  Click here for more info.

May 6 - August 3
Mon/Wed: 5-6:00am  |  SAT: 7:30-8:30am
$75M/$120NM  |  5 Practice Punch Card $30M/$45NM

Masters Swimming is our swim group for people who are 18 and older. You will receive coached swimming workouts that help improve your swimming technique and fitness level. This group welcomes adult swimmers from lap swimmers, to adults interested in competitive swimming, as well as triathletes.

*no practice Memorial Day or 4th of July.

Christine Milakis, the new Arts and Humanities Director

A Whole New OUTLook

Christine grew up dancing from ages 4-17 and has been a dance instructor for over 13 years. Her philosophy is to provide a fun, safe and encouraging environment for children interested in dance, music, and theater. "A few of my long-term goals are to grow the art and humanities program in addition to making the arts more accessible to all children," said Christine.

Christine has been focusing her efforts on La Premiere’s Dance Company’s auditions coming up on Oct. 21st. La Premiere’s revamped program is perfect for dancers who are new to the dance world or who have only 1-2 years of experience. “We recognize that kids have school work and need family time, those things come first,” said Christine. “This program is structured in a way that makes it possible for kids to do both and still compete at a higher level.”

Join us in welcoming This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to our team!

WHAT’S NEW

• Updated class names and descriptions

• Additional classes for younger dancers

• Dance classes for students at Early Learning Academy - West Branch in Sandwich

• Plans to add a theatre program including workshops and improv classes

• And a WHOLE NEW LOOK –– stay tuned for the unveiling!

View fall dance classes here. 

La Premiere Dance Company is a competitive, performance dance company for Y members ages 5-18. As a part of our dance company, your children will not only grow into talented dancers but also learn life lessons along the way. La Premiere competes locally and nationally.

La Premiere is a great starter program for dancers with 1-2 years of experience. This program is structured to accommodate dancers who want to experience competition without the feeling of being overscheduled and overwhelmed. We provide a fun and affordable dance company so all children have an opportunity to dance. As part of our dance company, your children will grow into talented dancers and learn valuable lifelong lessons.

The dance season is year-round, with auditions occurring in the summer. Children should have at least one year of dance experience prior to auditioning. If you have any questions about La Premiere Dance Company, please contact Performing Arts Director, Christine Milakis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Deb has been drawing and creating for as long as she can remember. At an early age, she was making doll clothes for trolls and Barbie’s and coloring and drawing anything she could get her hands on. Most all children color and draw but Deb never stopped.

Through the years she continued making crafts for gifts for family members and trying a variety of mediums. She has continued to hone her skills in drawing and painting. She has created in both Graphite and Charcoal, Pen and Ink with Watercolor Washes, Scratchboard, Scrimshaw, Glass Painting, Sculpting with clay and more. She attended the American Academy or Art in Chicago learning traditional skills of the Masters. Leaving there with a Fine Arts Degree and Commercial Degree. She secured an internship designing Point of Purchase Display in her last semester of Art School. During that employment, she learned computer skills and was able to apply both Sign Making and Graphic Design knowledge and experience.

Since 2006 She has been drawing Caricatures and has her own Caricature business. She offers both people and animal Caricatures from her Etsy Shop online done from photos provided. She also works live at both private and Corporate event providing entertainment and drawings to the guests. She gained her LIVE caricature experience working at Chicago’s Navy Pier and Shedd Aquarium before venturing out on her own.

Deb is excited to bring her art background to programming at the Y!