WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Registration is open for Safety Around Water (SAW) classes at the Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA. The free, five-session program provides water safety and basic swimming skills to children ages 5 to 13 with little or no water experience.
SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA is hosting its annual Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 19 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The Simi YMCA is at 3200 Cochran St.
The festival features over 20 fall and Halloween-themed decorated car trunks where YMCA childcare staff pass out candy. A pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, carnival games and crafts, inflatables, glitter tattoos and a petting zoo are also part of the fun. A haunted hallway is from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (kid-friendly version) and 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (spookier version). Visitors are encouraged to dress up in Halloween costumes.
It was Doug Herder’s second day on the job at the Simi Valley Family YMCA. He had just arrived to work when he suddenly lost consciousness and fell to the floor. He was without a pulse, wasn’t breathing and his eyes were fixed and dilated. Because of quick action by YMCA staff and a YMCA member who immediately administered CPR, Herder survived. All those involved in Herder’s emergency care including first responders and Adventist Health Simi Valley nurses and staff were honored during a November 30 celebration of life at the YMCA.
YMCA staff member Joe Piscitello saw Herder on the floor first. “I checked his pulse and airways,” says Piscitello. He alerted Erin Wimmer, the Y’s Director of Healthy Living, who called 911 and retrieved an automated external defibrillator (AED). Stephen Bilbrey, a YMCA member, was just leaving after a workout, began chest compressions. After about three minutes of chest compressions, CPR resuscitation breathing and using the AED, Herder took a deep breath. “Seconds later, EMT personnel arrived and took over,” says Bilbrey.
The Simi Valley Family YMCA is signing up kids for “Safety Around Water” (SAW). This one-week program will be held September 13 through 17 at the Simi YMCA. SAW is designed to teach children water safety and basic swimming skills. It is offered at no cost to participants and is open to the public.
The 30-minute classes are for those with little or no swimming experience. Participants are grouped by age: 5 to 8-year-olds (class are from 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.) and 9 to 12-year-olds (classes are from 5:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m.). A family swim opportunity–where the whole family can have fun in the water–will be held on Friday, September 17. YMCA lifeguards will be on duty.
YMCA branches serving the Conejo Valley/Las Virgenes, Simi Valley and Moorpark areas have a limited number of openings left for children in TK through fifth grade for YMCA after-school childcare programs for the 2021-22 school year.
Yarrow Family YMCA provides childcare in the Las Virgenes School District at Sumac/Mariposa, Willow and Yerba Buena elementary schools in Agoura Hills and White Oak Elementary in Westlake Village.
Simi Valley Family YMCA offers childcare at Big Springs, Hollow Hills, Katherine and White Oak elementary schools.
Conejo Valley YMCA is providing childcare at Peach Hill Academy Elementary School in Moorpark and M.A.T.E.S. Charter School in Thousand Oaks.
The YMCAs in Simi Valley and Westlake Village will reopen their indoor fitness centers Monday, March 29.
Both Ys’ indoor facilities have been closed since last summer. Sanitation and social distancing procedures have been put in place following county guidelines. Masks will be required while inside and outside YMCA buildings.
“We’ve spaced our workout equipment at least six feet apart. Our staff will disinfect surfaces and provide a thorough cleaning of the facility throughout the day,” says Ronnie Stone, President and CEO of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA. “We look forward to welcoming everyone back. We’re confident we can provide our members with a great, safe experience.”
Branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA are offering outdoor, in-person enrichment programs for preschoolers through age 11.
The Yarrow Family YMCA holds classes Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Preschoolers get moving with “Preschool Hip Hop” on Mondays and “Preschool Ballet” on Thursdays and Fridays. Storytime readings are from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays.
Parents looking for creative after-school enrichment classes for their 5 to 11-year-olds can sign them up for “Theater Games” on Mondays, and “Move And Groove” and “Beginning Hip Hop” on Thursdays.
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA, with branches in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Westlake Village, is seeking items for its Online Holiday Auction taking place November 19 through December 11.
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA and the Columbia Memorial Space Center have collaborated on a new advanced STEM program for local middle schoolers. The YMCA’s STEM Club begins October 19 with virtual meetings.
The program is divided into three units–Aerospace (October 19 through December 18), Solar Chemistry (January 18 through March 26) and 3D Printing and Robotics (April 12 through June 18). Club members meet Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (virtually and when approved, in person).
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is now offering outdoor exercise classes at its three branch locations and virtual exercise classes online.
Outdoor exercise classes include total body conditioning, group cycle, spin, Pilates/yoga, boot camp, tai chi and senior-focused exercises. Classes start as early as 6:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, at the Conejo Valley YMCA, Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA. The classes are free to YMCA members and $29 per month (introductory rate) for nonmembers.
Southeast Ventura County YMCA is taking registrations for the Y’s KEY Academy to coincide with school openings in August. The KEY Academy is designed to enable parents to meet work demands while provide their children with a safe, structured environment for learning.
Parents can drop off their children at one of the three Y branches’ designated education centers. You can contact your local Y: the Conejo Valley YMCA in Thousand Oaks, the Simi Valley YMCA in Simi Valley, and the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village for more details.
The Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA (in Westlake Village) will reopen Wednesday July 1. The Conejo Valley YMCA remains closed pending implementation of additional social distancing measures. Conejo Y members can use the Simi Valley and Yarrow facilities.
“We understand how important our Y is to the health and wellness of our community,” says Ronnie Stone, President/CEO of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA, which oversees the three local Y branches. “We hope to see our members back at the Y as soon as they feel comfortable.”
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA, with branches in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Westlake Village, is hosting free online trivia nights on Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The weekly trivia contest for the entire family takes place over Zoom.
VENTURA COUNTY — Between now and the end of the school year, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA is offering free physical education, dance, art and other enrichment classes designed for children preschool through high school. No YMCA membership is required.…
VENTURA COUNTY — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA, with branches in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Simi Valley, is now offering free, live online youth, family and adult exercise and enrichment classes. No YMCA membership is required. “We launched these…
SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA is taking signups for “Safety Around Water” (SAW). The one-week program will be held March 23 through March 26 during spring break. SAW is designed to teach children water safety and basic…
VENTURA COUNTY — Beginning in January, seniors 65 and older may be eligible for free access to the exercise programs at the Conejo Valley, Yarrow and Simi Valley YMCAs as part of their health insurance coverage. Seniors must first contact…
SIMI VALLEY — Sign-ups are underway for Simi Valley Family YMCA’s fall and winter camps. Thanksgiving camp is November 25, 26 and 27. “World of Winter” camp is December 23 through December 27 (closed December 25) and December 30 through…
SIMI VALLEY — Start off the New Year with a free family Zumba class at the Simi Valley Family YMCA, Friday, January 17. The class is designed for the entire family and is open to the community. The one-hour class,…
SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA Christmas tree lot is now open.The Simi Valley Y’s Men’s Club, a YMCA service organization, runs the tree lot. Members from the group volunteer at the lot along with YMCA board members…
SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA handed out its 8th Annual Volunteer of the Year awards at a November 9 dinner at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center. The sold-out evening attracted over 250 guests and celebrated the…
SIMI VALLEY — Kids and families can get their picture taken with Santa Claus when he visits the Simi Valley Family YMCA on Saturday, December 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. The pictures will be sent to parents by email.…
VENTURA COUNTY — YMCA branches serving the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and Moorpark are registering students in kindergarten through fifth grade for before and after school childcare programs for the coming 2019-2020 school year. Yarrow Family YMCA offers childcare at…
SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA is accepting registrations for before and after school childcare for the 2019-20 school year. Childcare is for children in kindergarten through sixth grade in the Simi Valley Unified School District. Childcare is…
VENTURA COUNTY — The three branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA are taking signups for their annual summer resident camp at Camp Oakes in Big Bear. Camp runs from July 6 through July 13. The YMCA camp is for…
VENTURA COUNTY — The Conejo Valley YMCA and Simi Valley Family YMCA are signing up kids for “Safety Around Water” (SAW). The one-week program will be held at both YMCA branches March 25 through March 29. SAW is designed to…
SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA handed out its 7th Annual Volunteer of the Year awards at a November 3 dinner at the Simi Y. Over 100 people attended. “Each year, the Simi Y honors those individuals who…
