Get Moving!  The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is offering a series of special programs from September 20th-27th ranging from a Housatonic River rafting trip in Fairfield on Sunday, September 20th to a family fitness frenzy in Hamden on Wednesday, September 23rd. The CCC YMCA’s twelve branches in greater New Haven and greater Bridgeport will be offering a wide range of open houses, bring-a-friend programs and more.

Make A Small Change!  Over 900 YMCAs across the nation have joined America On the Move Week, hosting events and activities to motivate people to take small steps to get active and increase the number of daily steps they take.  America On the Move Week was developed as part of the larger YMCA initiative, Activate America®, designed to address our nation’s growing health crisis—at the local level, one family at a time.  The national initiative stresses the small changes we can make in our habits that add up to big benefits for long-term health.

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7 Simple Ways to Add Steps To Your Day, from Activate America®

1. Walk, walk, walk – with your family, doing errands, walking the dog, for some alone time or to enjoy nature
2. At least once a day, skip the elevator and take the stairs
3. Turn up your favorite music and dance around
4. Head to a park, playground, beach, nature preserve or national park
5. Dust off your bike and pedal around the neighborhood
6. Participate in a charity walk/run
7. Play a game of tag, softball, kickball or “pickle-in-the-middle” with the kids
Full List of Activities for America On the Move Week:

September 19: Alpha Community Services YMCA at the Harrison Apartments presents a workshop held by the National Kidney Foundation on preventative education and kidney disease testing on-site. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Contact Marcia Hilditch at 860.257.3770 for more information.

September 19: Hamden/North Haven YMCA 1 Mile Family Fitness Walk 11 a.m. Contact Brian Marazzi for more information at 203.248.6361.

September 19: Ralphola Taylor Community Center YMCA Strong Kids Campaign Festival. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Raffles, dance contests, basketball tournament. All proceeds to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign. Contact Paula Dofat at pdofat@bridgeportedu.net or 203.576.7430.

September 20-27: America on the Move Week
• Fairfield YMCA – “Help a Friend Get Fit” week. Contact Sue McCall at 203.255.2834 for more information.
• Stratford YMCA – Open House and “Bring a Friend” for free to any fitness class of your choice. Contact Lisa Hoover at 203.375.5844 for more information.
• Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA – STEPtember Fitness Week. Contact Jeb Backus at jbackus@cccymca.org or Marta Waldron at mwaldron@cccymca.org or at 203.445.9633 for more information and registration.

September 20: Join the Woodruff Family YMCA at their
Work-Out-A-Thon 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Proceeds to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign. Contact Amanda Berry at 203.878.6501 for more information.

September 20: Join the Fairfield YMCA for Rafting on a Connecticut River: Housatonic Rafting Trip. Contact Maureen Scinto at 203.255.2834 for more information.

September 21: Fairfield YMCA Nutrition Lecture given by Health Expert Samantha Heller: Fueling Your Workout at 7:15 p.m. $10 fee. Contact Sue McCall at 203.255.2834.

September 23: Hamden/North Haven YMCA Family Fitness Frenzy 5 p.m. Contact Brian Marazzi at 203.248.6361 for more information.

September 24: Bridgeport YMCA Youth Wrestling Demonstration and Open House at Kolbe Educational Center Gym, 401 Kossuth Street at 6:30 p.m. Contact YMCA staff for more information 203.334.5551.

September 25: Fairfield YMCA preschool age arts & crafts workshop based on book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 4 – 6 p.m. Contact Sue McCall at 203.255.2834.

September 26: Woodruff Family YMCA Family Fun Day 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Free! Contact Amanda at 203.878.6501.

September 26: Join the Fairfield YMCA in celebrating the new Trail Guide: Walking through Fairfield’s Open Spaces. Held at Ash Creek in Fairfield 9 a.m. – 12 noon. Contact Maureen Scinto at 203.255.2834 for more information.

September 26: Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA Open House 10-1 p.m. Contact Jeb Backus at jbackus@cccymca.org or 203.445.9633.

September 27: Join the Fairfield YMCA at the 22nd Annual Bigelow Tea Community Challenge at 9 a.m. A portion of the funds raised will benefit the Fairfield YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. Contact Sue McCall at 203.255.2834 for more information.

For a complete calendar of events click here.