The Play With Purpose Place; The Y is where sports create connections between young people that extend far beyond the court.

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Community Connections

Butler YMCA | September 2026

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works...” - Ephesians 2:10

• Annual Support Campaign • Reach & Rise^® • ARMCO Park • Youth Development • Healthy Living • Social Responsibility

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Labor Day Closure

The Butler YMCA will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7^th in observance of Labor Day. 

Gym & Racquetball Court Closures

Both Gymnasiums and Racquetball courts will be closed through Sept. 7^th for deep cleaning and scheduled maintenance. Click here to view Closure Schedule.

Pool Reminders: We offer birthday parties on the weekends. While parties have a limit of swimmers so we can accommodate our members, there are times that the pool may closed entirely for a party due to ratios. We encourage you to call us before coming to swim on the weekends.

Our Y Shop is open! Stop by our lobby and browse our collection.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

(click the links below to jump to the newsletter section)

• 8/26-9/4: Session 5 Registration
• 9/17: ARMCO Park Clean Up Day
• 9/19: Community CPR/AED & First Aid at the Rose E. Schneider Family Y

• 9/20: Community CPR/AED & First Aid at the Butler Y

• 9/21: Fore The Children Golf Classic
• 9/29: National Coffee Day
• 10/3-10/4: Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) Certification at the Rose E. Schneider Family Y
• 10/14-10/18: Lifeguard Certification at the Rose E. Schneider Family Y
• 10/17: Lifeguard Recertification at the Rose E. Schneider Family Y
• 10/23: Floating Pumpkin Patch
• 11/7: Turkey Trot 5K & 1 Mile
• 12/1: Annual Membership Raffle Drawing!

• ARMCO Park Reservations Are Open

SESSION 5 REGISTRATION

• Member Registration: Through Sept. 4^th
• Programs Run Sept. 7^th-Oct. 24^th

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

Meet our new Membership Director, Laura Varga!

My name is Laura Varga, I have been married to my husband, Rich, for 7 years and together we have 3 children. I began my career as a Program Executive for Scouting America, a youth organization committed to instilling lifelong skills and values into our youth. From there, I was a Bakery Manager for Giant Eagle, and most recently, the Business Manager for Apple Box Studios, a Pittsburgh Marketing Agency. 

My family originally joined the YMCA so my kids could take swimming lessons. I quickly fell in love with the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, the workout classes, and youth programming. The Y truly has something for everyone, and I enjoyed being a member so much that when I saw the Membership Director job posting I immediately applied. I am excited to bring my personal enthusiasm for this organization into the role and help shape great experiences for our members here at the Butler YMCA.  

MEMBERS ONLY PERKS

National Coffee Day

Tues., Sept. 29^th  |  9AM-11AM

We invite our members to join us for coffee, pastries, and board games in our lobby. We will have games available for you, but please feel free to bring your own. Come enjoy your morning brew with friends and fun! 

Annual Membership Discount

Save 10% by paying for your membership annually. That's a savings worth over one month of membership dues! Stop by the Welcome Desk to switch your monthly membership to annual today. *Must be processed in-house to receive discount.

BUILD CONNECTIONS AND A CAREER

Make this place your place for meaningful work that matters.

Employment Highlights

• Aquatics Coordinator (Full Time)
• Lifeguards (Part Time)
• Swim Instructors (Part Time)
• Assistant Swim Team Coach (Part Time)

All employees receive a FREE YMCA Membership!

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Connecting people to a greater sense of purpose and to each other to make our community stronger.

FORE THE CHILDREN GOLF CLASSIC

Mon., Sept. 21^st | 10:30AM-8:00PM

At the Butler Country Club, 310 Butler County Club Rd., Butler, PA 16002

This event is a scramble format. Registration package includes: Loading/unloading of clubs, 18 holes of golf, green/cart fees, lunch, happy hour and dinner. Access to Simon's Shelter and Driving range, too!

For over twenty years, the funds raised from this event have assisted kids all over Butler County. Every dollar donated stays local and is used to create a meaningful impact right in our community.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RAFFLE

Donate $50 to our Annual Support Campaign through Zeffy (button below) for an entry to win an Annual Membership! Winner will be pulled on Giving Tuesday, December 1st.

MAKE AN IMPACT TODAY FOR TOMORROW

Sponsoring an event is an excellent investment that provides your organization the opportunity to be showcased in Butler County through popular events and activities! By becoming a sponsor, you demonstrate your commitment to our community's well-being and create a lasting impact on the lives of our youth. We have a range of sponsorship levels available, as well as in-kind donations such as food and auction baskets!

Whether you want to start making an impact today or benefit us after your lifetime, we can help you find the charitable plan that meets your needs. • Recurring Donations • Wills & Living Trusts • IRAs & Retirement Plans • Life Insurance Policies • Donor-Advised Funds • Real Estate • Commercial Annuities • Memorials and Tribute Gifts • Endowed Gifts • Donor Advised Funds • Charitable Lead Trusts • Appreciated Securities

Everyone benefits from our Corporate 25 Community Partnership Program! Employees receive: • 25% off of Membership Dues • $0 Join Fee (up to $150 value) • 25% off of Chronic Disease Prevention Programs. Employers receive: • Logo/company name displayed on Donor Recognition Screens in YMCA lobby and website • 3’x5’ banner in both YMCAs gymnasiums. Check with your employer to see if they are part of great community partnership!

The Annual Support Campaign funds programs & services for children, families and seniors in Butler County to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income, and background, can learn, grow & thrive.

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Empowering young people to reach their full potential.

PROGRAMS FOR BUSY SCHEDULES

With school back in session, evenings and weekends just got a lot busier. With our single-day programs and shorter "Drills & Skills" sport sessions, your kiddos can still squeeze in some time crafting and on the court!

PRIVATE SPORTS LESSONS

Private Sports Instruction will facilitate the individual needs and goals of any athlete, 6+ years old. For more information, please contact Jamie Knauff, Aquatics & Programs Director at Jknauff@bcfymca.org.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

We are excited to offer multiple packages with themes that include Pool parties, Gym Fun, Sports, Gymnastics & even Tye-Dye! Reservation and Party details are available on our Birthday Parties page. New Party Options are available in October!

CHILD CARE

Four Great Child Care Programs:

Infant for ages 6 weeks-12 months. Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing "home away from home" where babies can explore and make new discoveries.

Toddler for ages 1-3 years. We build on the momentum of your toddlers’ natural curiosity and help them learn at their own pace. 

Preschool for ages 3-5 years. We've designed our program to nurture your child's growing individuality through days filled with interactive learning and group activities. Includes weekly swim lessons!

School Age Care for elementary school students. From homework help to fun physical activities, our program is designed so that everyone has a great start and end to their school day. Email ktennent@bcfymca.org.

Two Great Locations:

Early Learning Center and Child Care at the Butler Y, serving the Butler Area School District. Contact: Kelly Tennent, Senior Director of Early Childhood Education at ktennent@bcfymca.org.

South Butler Y Child Care at HIS Kids Christian School, serving the Knoch School District. Contact: Tiffany Bennetti, Director of Early Childhood Education (Off-Site) at tbennetti@bcfymca.org.

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Providing kids with a safe and comfortable space to achieve their goals.

Reach & Rise^® is looking for positive, supportive adults 21+ to meet 1:1 with a youth weekly for 1-2 hours for one year at either the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA or the Butler YMCA. Think you don’t have what it takes to be a mentor? Think again. Check out the video, highlighting the experience of four of our current mentors. 

Reach & Rise^® is still taking applications for mentees in group and one-to-one. If you know a child who can benefit from this valuable program, click the "Mentee Referral" Button or reach out to us!

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, click the button to apply online. Group mentors meet once a week for 14-16 weeks. For more information, contact: 

• Justine Thiebaud (One-To-One Mentoring) at jthiebaud@bcfymca.org or 724-287-4733 x161
• Kelly Zaccari (Group Mentoring) at kzaccari@bcfymca.org or 724-287-4733 x136

The Reach & Rise^® youth mentoring program is a national, evidence-based program recognized by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention program (OJJDP). We help kids learn about and manage emotions, build social skills, try new things, and develop and maintain healthy relationships.

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NEW GROUP EXERCISE SCHEDULES

Not only are Karate and Inclusive Dance returning after their summer vacation, but we also had to adjust our Group Exercise schedules to make room for our brand new addition: ZUMBA^®!

TURKEY TROT RACE

Sat., Nov. 7, 2026

Gobble, gobble! We are thrilled to host our Annual Turkey Trot in Downtown Butler, with the start and finish line right outside our Butler YMCA. 1 mile race begins at 9:45AM; 5K will follow. Packet Pick-Up is available the day of the event only (Sat., Nov. 7^th) in the Butler Y Lobby starting at 8:30AM.

We are home for additional wellness programs that serve our community!

Karate (Tang Soo Do)

Ages 6 years through adult. A Free Intro Class is offered the last Saturday of each month!

Jazzercise

Jazzercise^® meets at the Butler Y throughout the week. 1^st class is free!

Jazzercise® membership/ class rates are not affiliated with the YMCA.

Inclusive Dance Party

1^st & 3^rd Thursdays, 10AM-11AM. Movement will be easily adaptable for Every Body. FREE to the community; sign up at the Welcome Desk.

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

We are proud to work with local groups to bring great opportunities to our facility! In addition to Karate, Unicycle Club, Jazzercise^®, and Inclusive Dance Parties (listed above), we are also a home for:

• The Ellen O'Brien Gaiser Center Addiction & Recovery Family Support Group meets here Thursdays, 6:00PM-7:30PM.
  Babysitting services are available during this time for ages 6 months-9 years in our Play Place.

NEED PRAYER?

Our Bible Study group will resume September 8^th. You can always submit an anonymous prayer request online, below.

LEARN LIFE SAVING SKILLS

Throughout the year, we offer various American Red Cross Certification courses. Click the button below to view specific dates, times & prerequisites for courses.

NEW SCHEDULE AVAILABLE!

Click the image above to view the entire schedule. Subject to change; registration required.

• Community CPR/AED & First Aid Certification at the Rose E. Schneider Family Y on Sept. 19^th.
• Community CPR/AED & First Aid Certification at the Butler Y on Sept. 20^th.

• Lifeguard Instructor Course (LGI) at the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA on Oct. 3^rd & 4^th.

• Lifeguard Certification & Recertification at the Rose E. Schneider Family Y on Oct. 14^th-18^th (Recert on Oct. 17^th). 
• Community CPR/AED & First Aid Certification at the Rose E. Schneider Family Y on Nov. 6^th. 
• Community CPR/AED & First Aid Certification at the Butler YMCA on Nov. 15^th.

(Pictures from our recent Babysitters Training course!)

LET US KNOW HOW WE'RE DOING

When you're a Y member, you're not just building strength-you're building a community. Help us improve our Y community by providing feedback.

• Complete our Monthly Survey

Each month, we will provide a different one-question survey for members to complete and return to the Welcome Desk.

• Send Us A Message On The App

1.) Log in and click on the image bubble.

2.) Click "Contact Us".

3.) Click on "General Feedback".

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Located at: 341 Centreville Pike, Slippery Rock, PA 16057

Pizza will be provided for all volunteers (sign up required). Watch our Facebook page or website event (here) for a volunteer sign up task list! 

Wedding reservations & tours are available by calling 724.287.4733 x115 or submitting an inquiry on our website: Weddings at ARMCO Park.

ARMCO PARK RESERVATION INFORMATION

• 2026 Reservations are open and available through Sun., Nov. 1^st. 
• 2027 Shelters and ARMCO Hall Reservations will open on Mon., Jan. 5, 2027; 2027 Dance Hall and Cabana Lounge Reservations will open to the public on March 1, 2027.

• Entire Park reservations are always available two years in advance!

• Facility Rentals are on a first-come, first-serve basis by completing a reservation online or calling 724-287-4733 x147. 
• Reservations will be processed in the order they are received, online and in-person concurrently. Due to the nature of first come, first serve, reservations completed online and in-person will take priority over phone calls, voicemails, and form submissions.
• ARMCO Park's 2026 Season runs Sunday, May 3^rd-Sunday, Nov. 1^st.

To make a reservation online:

• Log in to Daxko and update/confirm your information or create a Non-Member Account. (You can do that here). You'll need this to make your reservation.

• Add/confirm current billing information on your account.

• Browse available areas and dates ahead of time. (View the list of available dates here). Reservations are arranged by area, then sorted by date. Keep in mind, entire park reservations are available up to 2 years in advance, so if a date is not listed, it is already booked.

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Connect with the Y:

BUTLER YMCA

339 North Washington Street Butler, PA  16001  |  724.287.4733

www.bcfymca.org

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