Program Highlights

Active Adults: Both the Greater Portland and Casco Bay YMCAs offer Active Adult programs for members over the age of 55. Focusing on both social and wellness needs, activities include morning Cards & Coffee, Arts & Crafts, Seated T'ai Chi, Stretch & Flex, low-impact water exercise, as well as an ongoing schedule of group outings. Participants stay socially involved in the community, while maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Adaptive Services: Through its commitment to inclusion, the Y enables people of all levels of ability to fully participate in the healthy activities available to them at the YMCA. In addition to physical benefits, involvement in the Y on a regular basis also provides an outlet for peer interaction and support. Working with individuals living with injuries, illnesses and developmental disabilities, Adaptive Services provides opportunities ranging from adaptive sports to support groups.

Aquatics: The Greater Portland and Casco Bay YMCAs each offer a wide array of aquatics programming. Opportunities include youth and adult swim lessons (also offered at the YMCA at Pineland), youth swim teams, masters swimming for adults, lap swimming, open swim time, parent and child swim time, water aerobics and Scuba Diving classes. For those who would like to work in the pool environment, the Y also offers lifeguarding and swim instructor classes.

Art & Humanities: Y Arts is the fastest growing program that the Greater Portland YMCA offers. First begun as an enrichment program for the Y Child Care program, Y Arts has grown to include a series of youth art classes (Junior, Little and Senior Picassos), summer art camps, an array of adult art classes and ongoing art programs for both teens and active adults. The highlight of this growing program is the Annual Children's Silent Art Auction held in May.

Child Care: The Cumberland County Y Child Care program is one of the largest providers of child care in Greater Portland. The Y offers preschool care for children ages 3-5 years at the Casco Bay Y, and 6 weeks-5 years at the Portland Y. For older children, the Y offers before and after school programs at the Y and at 16 off-site locations. Children learn the Y's core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.

Camp: With the YMCA as a national leader in summer camping, the Cumberland County Y benefits from a long history of experience and support. Youth ages 4-17 are able to participate in a variety of options, from sports camps to creative expression and aquatic camps to leadership programs. Camps run at each Y, as well as at our Otter Pond Day Camp. Vacation camps are also offered.

Sports & Recreation: Children and adults alike are able to participate in the Sports & Recreation activities at the Y. Children can participate in soccer, basketball, floor hockey, and summer sports camps. In Portland and at Pineland, adults can stay active through leagues such as basketball and volleyball or enjoy the open gym time. Finally, the Greater Portland Y also offers racquetball and squash, with open courts, tournaments and clinics.

Teen Programs: The Greater Portland Y maintains an active Teen Center, with many participants. The Center provides a social space, computer lab and teen wellness room. Programs include homework help, social activities, team building and more.

Wellness: All three Ys offer a variety of wellness programs to meet the needs of each member. These include complete wellness facilities (cybex machines, free weights and cardio equipment), as well as a full schedule of group exercise classes (from kickboxing to pilates). Other programs include personal training (our Exercise Support Program or E.S.P.), women's strength training, body composition testing and more.

Youth & Family: The Y offers a wide variety of ongoing programs and one-time events for children, as well as children and their families together. Ongoing opportunities range from Kids in the Kitchen activities to Red Cross baby-sitting classes, and parent and child archery to parent and tot play groups. One-time events include Healthy Kids Day, Halloween Parties, Flick & Float nights (swimming and a movie), holiday cookie decorating and more!