New Britain
50 High Street, New Britain, CT 06051
(860) 229-3787

 Berlin
 365 Main Street, Kensington, CT 06037     
(860) 828-6559

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The YMCA Mission is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Purpose 
The Young Men’s Christian Association of New Britain-Berlin is an integral part of a Worldwide movement committed to love and serve all people. Our purpose is to enable members and constituents to develop values and behavior consistent with Judeo-Christian ideals by:

• Providing cultural, intellectual, physical, spiritual and social programs and services;
• Serving as advocates for human rights, social justice and world peace;
• Enriching family and other human relationships; and
• Cooperating with other organizations and institutions having similar ideals.
• Our YMCA encourages the participation of all people regardless of religion, age, sex, race, nationality and handicap.

The YMCA is a place where you belong!
We have programs and activities for everyone - all ages and all abilities!

As America’s largest human service organization the YMCA offers an immense variety of programs, everything from parent/tot swimming to senior fitness classes.

 Please take a few minutes to see what we have to offer and if you don’t see something that you are interested in contact us. The YMCA is constantly changing and offering new programs and opportunities.

Aquatics: Swim Lessons
Parents select the YMCA as their child's swim teacher because the Y has a reputation for offering programs that are safe, educational and fun. All classes, contain components related to safety, personal growth, stroke development, water games, sports and rescue. A student centered approach is used towards learning and having fun. 

Health and Wellness
Almost all health and wellness programs are included in the price of your YMCA membership. Please refer to our latest program brochure or call the YMCA for schedules.

Senior Fit: our best class for strengthening your heart and burning calories. Heart rates and blood pressure are monitored as participants work out on bikes, treadmills and ellipticals.

Senior Strength Training: Designed for anyone 55 years and over. For those that have never used strength training equipment or just need a little extra attention.

Karate: come and try a different way to condition your spirit, mind and body. Beginners to advanced levels welcome. Basic self-defense techniques and karate skills along with confidence building.

Adult Basketball League: The tradition of high quality men’s basketball at the Y lives on. Get together a roster of players and join the competition. All team members must be 18 years or older and have shirts with numbers! Leagues are generally held Tuesdays and Thursdays, each fall and spring.

Co-Ed Volleyball League: Bump! Set! Spike! The State’s premier co-ed volleyball league. The league is held on Monday evenings.

Free YMCA Personal Training: Members are encouraged to take advantage of free Personal Training with one of our YMCA certified Personal Trainers. Our Personal Training program is designed to encourage, motivate and instruct individuals in the proper use of all fitness equipment. Our Certified Personal Trainers design specific programs depending on the person’s fitness goals and objectives. We provide personalized attention, guidance and coaching from caring, knowledgeable and well trained staff. This personal approach is designed to decrease barriers and intimidation, and increase motivation for healthy lifestyle change. The 1 hour sessions are free for members and monthly follow-up sessions are encouraged.

Rock Climbing: The YMCA’s American Savings Foundation Rock Climbing Center provides members and others with a state of the art, three wall, 20 foot high technical rock climbing experience. All participants go through an orientation class or show proficiency with work climbing equipment and procedures including: harnessing, belay techniques, knot tying and basic climbing skills. (See Climbing Center schedule underSchedules.)

The Y offers a wide variety of classes and individual climbing times, including: Orientation, Adventure Climbers ( grades 1-4), Cliff Climbers (grades 5-8), teen, adult and family climbing.

Birthday Party Climbing: The Y offers climbing wall birthday parties under our expert staff supervision. (Minimum age 6, maximum number of climbers 10.) Call for additional information.

Massage Therapy: Enjoy this invigorating 25 minute massage. It’s a great way to relax your spirit, mind and body after a hard day at work! Tuesday and Thursday appointments are available.

10 Minute Sport Massage: Have you reached a plateu in your exercise routine and don’t know how to progress to the next level? Try a 10 minute massage to give your muscles the boost they need!     $10.00 for 10 minutes.

Rockin’ Abs: This class will get you going! Highly energetic instructor will lead participants in an abundance of abdominal exercises. Target your body’s core stabilizing muscles: upper abs, lower abs, and the obliques. A mix of crunches and core exercises using body bars and fitness balls will be safely shown. All fitness levels.

Middle School Strength Training: Designed for youths ages 11-13. An introduction to the proper use of cardiovascular and strength training equipments as well as proper etiquette. Supervised by a trained fitness instructor, individuals progress at their own pace. Upon successful graduation from the program, youth will receive a special card that allows them use of the fitness center when accompanied by a parent.

Activate America: The New Britain - Berlin YMCA has joined a national initiative that is rallying YMCA’s across the country to further enhance their service and support to kids, adults, and families who want to lead a healthy lifestyle, but struggle to do so. As part of our commitment to YMCA Activate America, the New Britain - Berlin YMCA will offer several programs that will encourage children and families to adopt behaviors that support healthy lifestyles.

Water Fitness
Aquacize: this popular class will improve your energy and fitness level with no impact on your joints. A fun environment where no swimming skills are required.

Adult Swim Lessons: whether you are just beginning or looking to improve your lap swimming, we can help!

Waterwalking: this exercise program is gentle on your joints while helping you get in shape. Flotation belts are provided and no swimming skills are required.

Arthritis: a series of gentle exercises in warm water. Participants gain increased motion in stiff, sore joints while finding relief from pain. Held in shallow water.

Youth Programs
School Age Child Care: Our licensed school age child care program, called On Track, is available before and after school for children attending schools in New Britain. The children are picked up and dropped off by the school system bus. This program follows the New Britain School District calendar. Enrollment is limited to this fun-filled program which provides homework assistance, tutoring, recreation and arts activities. Participants are eligible for snow day care. Contact the Child Care Director 

Vacation Fun Days: This program includes a wide variety of social and physical development activities during the school year when school is not in session. Contact the Child Care Director for specific dates.

Camp Hurricane: A state-licensed day camp that runs for 9 weeks of the summer for children ages 4-15. Participants receive a free breakfast and lunch. Contact the Program Director for more information.

YMCA/BRACC Youth Basketball League: This co-ed basketball league is operated in cooperation with the New Britain Area Churches. Each Saturday from December - March, a fun basketball league for boys and girls ages 10 years and up is held. Any child interested should contact the Program Director.

Teen Programs
Y.S.U.P. Program: Youth Succeeding Under Pressure - For teens in grades 6 - 8 this program emphasizes community pride and leadership skills. Teens actively participate in field trips, dances, group activities, mentoring, tutoring and college tours. 

Meeting times at local school: Monday - Friday school dismissal to 5:00 p.m.
Meeting times at the YMCA: Monday - Thursday from 6-8:30 p.m.
Contact the Teen Director for more information.

Youth and Government: This program, which is new to New Britain, is for youth in grades 9 - 12. This program starts in the fall and finishes in the spring with a weekend at the Hartford Capitol. Leading up to this weekend the students learn about the legislative process, government, social issues and how bills become laws. Contact the Program Director to register.

Teen Dances: Friday nights from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Call the YMCA for specific dates.
Contact the Teen Director for more information.

Seniors
Prime Y'ers (55+): A YMCA group for active older adults. This program provides personal growth and enrichment through cultural, educational and social activities. Meetings are held the second Friday of each month beginning at 1:30 pm. The group also plans trips and other activities which are held away from the Y.

Group Exercise Classes: The YMCA offers a wide variety of health and fitness programs which are appropriate for active older adults or those wishing to become more active. Click below for more information.

Residence
Residence Rooms: The New Britain YMCA is proud of its 125-year tradition of providing affordable housing for men. Eighty-seven clean, comfortable rooms are available for rent on a weekly or monthly basis. Members in Residence have full privilege use of the facilities and housekeeping service is provided. Applications are available at the Member Service Desk.

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History: The New Britain YMCA was founded in 1883 to protect young men and boys from the sins and temptations of a rapidly industrializing urban America. Today, it cuts across social, racial, economic, religious and gender lines because it was founded to serve basic human needs.

Some interesting facts about the YMCA of New Britain and Berlin:

• In 1895, 3 years after the invention of basketball at the Springfield YMCA Training School, the New Britain YMCA Basketball Team was the World Champions.
• Also, in 1895 the “dribble” was invented in New Britain, in order to slow the game down and to help prevent injuries from tackling.
• The old YMCA building was located on the corner of Court and Main Streets. Dedicated in 1899, the building was nearly destroyed by fire in 1906. It was rebuilt in 1907.
• The ‘new’ YMCA building was dedicated on May 11, 1954, and people threw coins into the new pool.
• In 1954 the game of racquetball was born at the New Britain YMCA, after having been conceived by Joe Sobek of the Greenwich, CT YMCA. The New Britain YMCA can boast four past world champions of racquetball.
• The Berlin-Kensington Branch was created in the late sixties and continues to offer high quality child care, youth and family programs.
• The New Britain-Berlin YMCA has had four successful capital campaigns in the last 20 years. The Y has raised more than $5 million during that period for its charitable works.
• The New Britain Y has had only ten CEO’s in 125 years.
• The Y is guided by four core values: caring, honesty, respect, responsibility.
• We believe that to bring about meaningful change in individuals and communities, we must be focused and accountable. At the Y, we measure the success of our cause by how well we engage communities in our three areas of focus.