Welcoming Week - Greater Somerset County YMCA

Welcoming Week

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Welcoming Week

September 12, 2025 - September 21, 2025

Welcoming Week

September 12th – September 21st

Together, we can make sure everyone feels like they belong

Celebrated each year in September, Welcoming Week is an annual event that connects neighbors and celebrates communities coming together to promote cross-cultural understanding and raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone.

OPEN TO ALL

Greater Somerset County YMCA is proud to celebrate Welcoming Week at all of our branches! We are thrilled to open our doors to the community for various special activities as well as a chance to connect with neighbors in a nurturing environment that focuses on strengthening the community by connecting all to their purpose, potential, and each other. We welcome all, regardless of financial or physical circumstance and we strive every day to promote understanding, tolerance, and compassion within our community.

Welcoming Week Events By Branch:

Somerset HIlls YMCA

Somerset Hills YMCA:

September 13th:

  • Family Swim from  12 -2 pm

  • Saturdays in Motion (SIM) kicks off its 2025-2026 Season

    • SIM is the longest running non-public recreational program for children (3-17) with autism in the United States. Autistic children (ages 3-17) and their families join together at Somerset Hills YMCA on select Saturdays for two hours of recreation (from 3- 5 PM). Volunteers lead the program and carefully guide the children through an hour of gym time and a second hour in the pool. This program is free to the community and runs from the fall to the spring. Advance Registration is required.

September 14th:
  • Family Swim from 2 – 4 pm
September 15th:

  • Outdoor Yoga Slow Flow with Christine at 9:15 am.

MIND / BODYGROUP EXERCISE
September 17th:
  • Blood Pressure Screening from 9 AM-1 PM in the Wellness Center

  • Welcome Walk – At Sourland Mountain Preserve in Hillsborough from 9:15 AM to 11:30 AM. We’ll get our heart rates up on shady trails
    and past geological wonders!

    • What to Bring: footwear- trail runners or light hiking shoes, light clothing layers, PLENTY of water, a small backpack. Poles are handy, Registration Required

REGISTER NOW!
September 19th:

  • Family Swim 4-6 pm, and with our slides from 4:30-5:30 pm

  • Intro Outdoor Bootcamp with Liz

SOMERSET HILLSGROUP EXERCISE
September 20th:

  • Welcoming Week Open House

    • Taste of the World Local Restaurant Sampler from 12 – 1 pm in the Multipurpose Room

    • Somerset Hills YMCA Branch Board Recruitment Event from 11 – 12 pm in the Teen Center

    • Community Resources Tabling from 11:30 – 1:30 pm

    • Youth & Family Activities in Gymnasium from 11 – 12:30 pm

    • Welcoming Week World Maps from 11 – 2 pm

    • Welcoming Week Photo Booth from 11 – 2 pm

    • Intro to Spin with Sara at 11:15 am

CYCLING & SPIN®GROUP EXERCISE

  • Sensory Friendly Family Swim for Children with Disabilities from 2:30 – 3:30 pm with our water slides! Registration required!

REGISTER NOW!

  • Family Swim from 12-2 pm, and with our slides from 12:30-1:30 pm

September 21st:

  • Family Swim from 2-4 pm

Also Happening:

New member, Egym, and Youth orientations all week!

Princeton YMCA

Princeton YMCA:

September 12th:

  • Lobby Fun All Day

    • Selfie Station

    • World Map: Place a sticker where you’re from!

    • Bingo Cards for Kids, Wellness, and Membership – complete and win!

September 13th:
  • Bart’s Challenge 9:00 am to 12:30 pm– Test your strength and endurance!

  • “Move Around the World” Step Challenge begins! Log your steps/miles for a chance to win YMCA SWAG!

September 15th:

  • Open Judo Classes

    • Peewee 6:30- 7:30
    • Teen/Adult 7:30-9

  • Voices of Belonging Story Wall – share your story!

  • “I Belong at the Y” button/sticker giveaway 12 pm- until we run out!

September 16th:
  • Open Aikido Class 7-8:30 pm

  • Learn to Say Hello in 10 Languages from 10 am – 12 pm in the Lobby – cultural connection activity

September 17th:

  • Coffee from Around the World from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM in the lobby

  • Open Little Movers Class from 5:00–6:00 PM

  • Bollywood Fitness Demo from 5:00 -5:55 pm

September 18th:
  • Open Hoop House Clinic
    • k-2 grade: 4:30- 5:20 pm
    • 3-5 grade: 5:20 pm- 6:10 pm
    • 6-8th grade 6:10 -7:00 pm
  • Open Football Clinic – fun and active for youth!
    • 3-5 grade: 4:30 to 5:30 pm
    • 6-8 grade: 5:30-6:30
September 20th:

  • Chronic Disease Prevention Resources

  • Fun & Community Engagement:
    • Raffles, giveaways & YMCA swag
    • Healthy snacks & recipe samples
    • Face painting & crafts for kids
    • Vendor tables (local wellness orgs, hospitals, nonprofits)
    • Financial Assistance & CCS Info Table
  • Back 2 School– 3 on 3 at 1 pm on outside basketball courts
    • 9-12 year old
    • 12-17 Year old
    • 18 and up
REGISTER NOW!
September 21st:
  • “Move Around the World” Challenge final day!

  • Bingo cards are due by 12 pm

  • Celebration of stories from our Voices of Belonging Wall in the lobby from 10-2 pm.

Hillsborough YMCA

Hillsborough YMCA:

September 12th:
  • Welcome Sign Scavenger Hunt
September 14th:
  • Dance Day: Bring a friend and join our high-energy Group Ex dance classes—no experience needed!
September 15th:
  • Arts & Crafts from 3–7 PM: Get creative with hands-on art activities for all ages.
September 16th:
  • Fitness Day: Sweat, smile, and bring a friend to try our Group Ex fitness classes.
September 17th:
  • Game Day: Test your knowledge with fun trivia questions at the front desk all day.
September 18th:
  • Story Day: Share your story about being part of the Y or your journey in America.
September 19th:
  • Arts & Crafts from 3–7 PM: Get creative with hands-on art activities for all ages.

Plainfield YMCA

Plainfield YMCA

With our school-aged childcare, we are having…

  • Cultural Potluck

  • Book Reading from Immigrant Authors

  • A screening of short films and clips from movies created by immigrant filmmakers

  • A lively dance event where students explore and participate in traditional dances from around the world.

  • Youth will collaborate to design and paint a mural reflecting their vision of community and inclusion.

Bridgewater & Somerville YMCA

Bridgewater and Somerville YMCA

  • Passport to Health Bingo all week!
    • As part of Welcoming Week at the Y, we invite you to place a star on our world map to show where you or your family are from. This interactive display celebrates the diverse backgrounds that make up our Y community and helps us honor the journeys that bring us together.
    • Pick up your Passport to Health Bingo card at the front desk and start your journey today!

WANT TO SEE MORE? 

Click below to view all facility schedules for Bridgewater YMCA, Hillsborough YMCA, Princeton YMCA, Somerset Hills YMCA, and Somerville YMCA.

GROUP EXERCISECLASS SCHEDULE

 

CURIOUS ABOUT CLASSES AND PROGRAMS?

Enhance your Y membership with classes and programs for all ages and abilities. Our Fall 1 session starts Monday, September 13th. From personal training and swim lessons to archery and dance – we have something for everyone.

VIEW CURRENTOFFERINGS

 

BE OUR GUEST!

We invite you to Try the Y and see why we’re the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community! Please note: Community members must register and sign a waiver before any class or facility usage. Schedules are subject to change without notice.

REQUEST APERSONAL TOUR

 

THE Y’S COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY

  • Ys in the U.S. partner with Ys around the world to address social issues impacting communities at home and abroad, and engage young people to lead change.
  • Nationally and in all 50 states, the Y advocates for positive social change.
  • We focus our energy and resources on our purpose: strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose and each other.
  • We believe that in order to strengthen communities, we must understand the current issues and foresee the future needs of the people and communities we serve. We measure success by our positive impact on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
  • The Y encourages individual involvement and investments that support and lead critical overarching work in the community, all in an effort to increase the number of people we reach and the impact we make.

 

No matter where you are on your journey, the Y is where you can be, belong, and become.

For a better us.®

Details

  • Start: September 12, 2025
  • End: September 21, 2025