Westwood Park YMCA - YMCA of Greater Nashua

🔥 Join us for Campfire Across America! 🔥

The YMCA of Greater Nashua is proud to be part of Campfire Across America, a nationwide YMCA celebration bringing communities together from coast to coast.

On Wednesday, July 22, join us at YMCA Camp Sargent for a free, family-friendly evening filled with campfire fun, including songs, s'mores, activities, water play, and time to connect with family, friends, and neighbors.

📅 Wednesday, July 22
🕟 4:30 to 6:30 PM
📍 YMCA Camp Sargent

Come experience the magic of gathering around the campfire, where the fire is lit, stories are shared, and meaningful connections are made with friends, family, and the community.

Learn more on our Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/18zJ4Trfyf/

🌊 In honor of World Drowning Prevention Day, we’re hosting a FREE Water Safety Event at the Merrimack Y!

Join us on July 25 from 12–2 PM to learn and practice essential water safety skills, including safe entry and exit, self-rescue skills, swimming to safety, and more. Join us as we work together to make our community safer around water!

Free Event – Open to the Community – Registration is required here: https://operations.daxko.com/Online/5286/ProgramsV2/OfferingDetails.mvc?program_id=TMP34949&offering_id=SES505944&location_id=B245

🌟 — our Y Icons!
At the Y, we're more than a place—we're people. The friendly hellos, the program pros, the behind-the-scenes heroes who make our community feel like home.

This week, meet John & Marjorie Althouse, Westwood Park Y Welcome Center Representatives

•How long have you been part of the Y community?
"Almost 4 Years." - John & Marjorie

•What does "community" mean to you, and how does the Y help create it?
John: "Community is the people with whom you share commonality—where you live, what you do, and who you associate with. Community is what bonds people together. The Y not only gives people a place to exercise, it also provides opportunities to bond through events and programs. The Y is a shared focal point for all."
Marjorie: "Community means a group of unique people brought together by a common factor. The Y enables this to happen in a safe, fun-filled environment."

•If you could describe the Y in one word, what would it be and why?
John: "Inclusive. The Y has broad membership opportunities, and anyone can become part of the Y family."
Marjorie: "It's hard to summarize the Y in one word—I think of community, welcoming, energizing, non-judgmental, and inclusive. The Y promotes individuality without judgment for anyone who walks through the doors."

• What is your favorite spot in the Y where you feel most at home?
John: "My favorite spot is the Welcome Desk. I work mostly opening hours, so I try to brighten the day for people who get up early to exercise. I've gotten to know so many members, and I think they enjoy my greeting and smile."
Marjorie: "I feel most comfortable at the Welcome Desk because it's where I greet people and make new friends."

•How has the Y made a difference in your life or your community?
John: "When I retired, I looked forward to lazy days... for about a month. Working at the Welcome Desk has given me a new purpose while allowing me to build relationships with staff and members."
Marjorie: "The Y gave me purpose when I retired. I went from working 40+ hours a week to wondering what came next. Now I've built relationships with members that I would have missed if I hadn't chosen the Y as part of my retirement."

• What is the most unexpected connection you've made here?
John: "The closeness I've built with 'my' early morning members. I look forward to seeing them, hearing about what's going on in their lives, and staying connected."
Marjorie: "I thought I'd just be an individual working the Welcome Desk. Instead, I've become part of a wonderful team that ranges from high school and college students to longtime adults."

• If you could invite anyone (past or present) to join you at the Y for a day, who would it be?
John: "My nephew Dan. He passed away far too young. I'd find a quiet corner in the Y so we could finish the conversations we never had the chance to complete."
Marjorie: "My mom. She would have loved the Y and meeting all of the kind people here."

•What is a fun fact about yourself?
John: "I met my wife when I was 10 and she was 11. It took me 10 years to get her to the altar! I was thunderstruck the first time I saw her, and I'm even more in love with her today."
Marjorie: "A boy moved into my hometown many years ago. I wasn't impressed and didn't care for him much... now we're celebrating our 49th wedding anniversary this October!" 😊

•Why is there no place like the Y?
John: "The Y offers so much more than a place to work out. It's a place to meet new people, spend time with friends, participate in community activities, and truly belong."
Marjorie: "The YMCA goes beyond fitness. It creates a community where people of all ages and walks of life come together."

There's no place like this place—and it's because of people like The Althoues!

✨Follow along for our next YCON!

🎉 We're honored to be part of the 2026 Best of the The Greater Merrimack-Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards!
If you've loved your experience with the YMCA of Greater Nashua - whether through our swim lessons, state of the art gym, dance, childcare, multiple camps, extensive programming for both children and adults, or anything else, we'd be incredibly grateful if you would take a moment to vote for us here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bestofgmsvregion2026

To vote, you just have to type our business name and town into each category - but I've made it super easy for you. Here are the spots where we would really appreciate you writing us in:
🗳️ #28: CHILD CARE - Y Academy Early Education Center - Merrimack
🗳️ #35: COMMUNITY SERVICES/NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION - YMCA of Greater Nashua - Merrimack
🗳️ #41: DANCE STUDIO - In Motion Dance - Merrimack
🗳️ #45: EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - Y Academy - Merrimack
🗳️ #60: FITNESS STUDIO - YMCA of Greater Nashua - Merrimack
🗳️ #69: GYMNASTICS - YMCA of Greater Nashua Gymnastics - Merrimack

Thank you for your support. And while you're there, be sure to vote for your other favorite local businesses, nonprofits, and organizations, too!

💆 Take a Break. You Deserve It.

We're excited to welcome Stand Tall Massage to the Westwood Park YMCA for an afternoon of FREE 15-minute chair massages!

📅 Tuesday, July 21
🕑 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Westwood Park YMCA

Whether you've just finished a workout, spent the day chasing the kids, or simply need a moment to relax, this is the perfect opportunity to recharge.

Licensed Massage Therapist Nate Scheidler specializes in helping relieve muscle tension, improve posture, and reduce pain from common issues like whiplash and rotator cuff injuries. He also offers sports-focused massage techniques to help prepare your body for exercise, or simply help you unwind.

✅ Reserve your free 15-minute session here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48A9A82AA7FA7-64791111-stand #/

Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up early!