Events at the Y

Committed to Community

From time to time we host events at the Y that are connected to our mission to strengthen the community. You can find upcoming and past events listed below.

Strength in Unity

First and third Saturdays after-hours, 6:30 – 8:30pm, beginning December 2.

A time for LGBTQIA+ and woman-identifying community members to utilize the Wellness Center and Studios. 

Join us to find community, comfort, and confidence in your fitness journey!


Basic Info:
• This space is for LQBTQIA+ and woman-identifying folks 
• Facility access limited to Wellness Center and Studios (Second Floor), and Universal Locker Room (First Floor)
• Racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism, and harassment are NOT welcome here
• GBYMCA Member policies will apply during this time

FREE to Y Members. $5 for Non-Members, card only. We do not take cash.

Past Events, 2023

Q + A with Kevin Chu, Vermont Futures Project

Thursday, November 9, 7:00pm at the Y

The Vermont Futures Project is developing a statewide economic action plan informed by data. The framework for the plan is built on two fundamental components that define communities: people and places.

In order to strengthen Vermont’s economy, scale up our impact on sustainability, and make progress on social equity, the Vermont Futures Project is setting a goal to increase our population to 802,000 people and the non-seasonal housing stock to 350,000 units by 2035.

Learn how these goals were calculated and share your ideas about actions that can be taken at the local and state level towards achieving them.

Open House!

Sunday, September 17, 10:00am – 2:00pm

We’re grateful to be part of such an amazing community. Enjoy free entrance* during our Open House as our way of saying THANK YOU!

10:00am – 2:00pm: 
• Tours of the Y
• Full use of Wellness Floor (cardio and weights), ages 18+
• Group Fitness sampler classes
• Adult Swim in the Lap Pool
• Child Care for 6 mos.-8 yrs, limited availability 
• Snacks in the Lobby

10:00am – Noon: 
• Family Swim in the Program Pool
• Family Recreation in the Gym with Bounce House
• Translators in Swahili, Nepali, Dari/Pashto, Somali, and Arabic

Noon – 2:00pm:
• Adult Swim in the Program Pool
• Open Recreation in the Gym
• Adult Aquatic Fitness class in the Program Pool

* Guests must have current photo ID and fill out a Guest Liability Waiver. Parents and/or Caregivers must sign waiver for child(ren) under age 18.

Welcoming Week

September 11 – 17

Welcoming Week is a chance to celebrate the many dimensions of diversity that make our community stronger! Join us for events throughout the week, including:

BIPOC Affinity Spin with CEO, Monday, Sept. 11, 6:00pm.

Sample some international cuisine in the Y Lobby! Small bites, Monday through Wednesday at 4:30pm. Monday: Sherpa Kitchen, Nepalese restaurant. Tuesday: Mulu’s Catering, Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. Wednesday: Café Mamajuana, Dominican fusion.

Youth and Caregiver Swim Lesson, Friday, September 15, 5:30-6:00pm. Fun for adults and their 6 month – 3 year old kids with a focus on water safety.

Welcoming Week Family Swim, Saturday, Sept. 16. Two sessions, 4:00-4:45pm, and 5:00-5:45pm. This family swim is an affinity space for families in our community who identify as newcomers + immigrants. 

Vermont Pride week

September 2 – 10

Celebrate our LGBTQ+ community members at the Y during Vermont Pride week. Join Y staff for the Pride Parade at noon on Sunday, September 10.

Thank you to all who participated in Pride Swim held in conjunction with Pride Center Vermont on Saturday, Sept. 2!

2023 Annual Meeting

Friday, June 16, 8:30-9:30am

Icebreaker: Y School Age Director Tiffany Cross
Reading: Poet, Educator, Facilitator Rajnii Eddins
Remarks: Board Chair Katie Hawley and President/CEO Kyle Dodson
Featured Speaker: Therapist and Longtime Y Member Kevin Gallagher 

Light refreshments provided

Click here to RSVP 

Kids Fest: Celebrating health and safety

A fun party combining New American Safety Festival and the Greater Burlington YMCA Healthy Kids Day

April 29, 10:00am – 1:00pm
at the Y, 298 College Street, Burlington VT

Tons of fun activities for kids: activity booklet, crafts, face painting, games, smoothie bikes
Free bicycle helmets and t-shirts (while they last)
Family Fitness, Dance, and Yoga classes
Music with DJ Melo Grant
Food provided: Harmony’s Kitchen, People’s Kitchen, Sherpa Kitchen, A Taste of Abyssinia
Interpreters available in MaiMai, Somali, Nepali, Swahili, Pashto, Vietnamese, Spanish, French, and ASL

Featuring these community partners:
Art from the Heart | Be Seat Smart | Be SMART for Kids | Burlington Lead Program | Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community | Champlain Valley Head Start | Community Health Centers of Burlington | Children’s Integrated Services | Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office | City Market | Dad Guild | GBYMCA | Howard Center Early Childhood Program | Jennifer Riordan Foundation | Lets Grow Kids | Live Like Benjo Foundation | Local Motion | Monty Moose, Children’s Hospital Mascot | Northwest VT Regional Prevention Network | Old Spokes Home | Prevent Child Abuse Vermont | University of Vermont – Ext 4-H | UVM Medical Center Employee Wellness | Vermont Department of Health | Vermont Green FC | Vermont Lake Monsters | Vermont Safe Sleep Committee – SafeKids

Kids Fest 2023 Hosts:
The Greater Burlington YMCA, SafeKids Vermont, and The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital

Kids Fest 2023 Sponsors:
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and NorthCountry Federal Credit Union

Community Mural Project with Juniper Creative

Thank you to all who participated in the creation of our community mural — including youth brainstorming participants, art-makers from preschoolers to seniors, and especially Juniper Creative, LLC. Stop by to see the completed mural in our lobby conference room!

Learn more about Juniper Creative at www.JuniperCreativeArts.com