The Y beleives that community connectivity is key to healthy living. Many long-time friendships are formed at the Y every day. Looking for a way to meet new people and have an opportunity to socialize outside of exercise class? Check out our options below. Have questions? Reach out to the coordinator of each group. Interested in perhaps starting a new social group? Contact Vicky Kettner. Let's explore the possibilities!
Book Club
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The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo offers a book club that meets monthly at Maple. There is no commitment required. Currently, a Y membership is required.
Have questions? Contact Shashu Baraka, at 269-459-4856 or email her.
Meeting Information:
The Maple “Y” Book Club meets the third Friday of every month from 1:30-3:00pm in the Chapel
2025 Reading List:
Jan 17: Solito by Javier Zamora (PB/EB/AUD/KPL/PDL/WAL)
Feb 21: James by Percival Everett (PB/EB/AUD/KPL/PDL/WAL)
March 21: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles (EB/PB/AUD/KPL/PDL)
April 18: The Little Liar by Mitch Albom (PB/EB/AUD/KPL/PDL)
May 16: The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King (EB/PB/AUD/KPL/PDL/WAL)
June 20: The Death of Public School by Cara Fitzpatrick (EB/KPL)
July 18: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (PB/EB/AUD/KPL/PDL)
Aug 15: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (EB/PB/AUD/KPL/PDL/WAL)
Sept 19: The Only Woman in the Room by Maria Benedict (EB/PB/KPL/PDL)
Oct 17: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (EB/PB/AUD/KPL/PDL/WAL)
Nov 15: TBD
Dec 20: Holiday Luncheon
Access to Books:
Book Location Key: EB = E-book, PB = Paperback, AUD = Audiobook, KPL = Kalamazoo Public Library, PDL = Portage District, Library, BiB = Book in a Bag, WAL = Waldo Library
Crochet & Knit Club
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Calling all fiber artists! Come and join the Y’s newest social club for crocheters, knitters, and fiber artists alike to unwind, work on our WIPs, and weave connections. All ages and every level of ability are welcome. The Crochet & Knit Club will meet the second Wednesday of every month at 5:30-6:30pm, in the Maple Y’s Chapel. Registration is not required, but the club is currently only open to Y members.
Questions? Contact Brooke Beaman, Marketing and Graphic Design Specialist, via email.
2025 Dates
Jan. 8
Feb. 12
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11
July 9
Aug. 13
Sept. 10
Oct. 8
Nov. 12
Dec. 10
NEW: Free Speed Puzzle Competition
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Puzzle lovers, group gamers, and families looking for a fun night out will unite and collide in the Y’s first ever Speed Puzzle Competition! See how quickly you can piece together a jigsaw puzzle with the help of your team! The fastest team to complete the 500 piece puzzle, or get the closest to completing, will win a prize.
FIRST COMPETITION
Thursday, January 16
6:30-7:45pm
RULES
- Teams will be allowed to enter the competition room at 6:30pm and the clock will start at 6:45pm.
- Teams of four will be given the same puzzle to complete within 60 minutes.
- Only one person needs to register per team, but will need to provide the names of their teammates. Click here to register, and here to sign up teammates.
- Please register up to four people on your team. People registering by themselves will be assigned to groups to form a team of four or less.
- Recommended for ages 8 and older. For YMCA members only.
- Free!
NEW: Group Travel w/Collette
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Do you have Wunderlust? Like to meet new people? Want to travel but don't want to travel alone? Would love to travel but don't want to plan it? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this may be a great travel opportunity for you.
The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo has once again partnered with Collette travel company to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience exploring the Painted Canyons of the West on a 9-day guided tour featuring Utah's five national parks! Highlights include: Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Las Vegas.
Through this partnership, participants who decide to book early will be eligible to receive $550 savings per person. A percentage of the trip will be donated back to the YMCA’s Healthy Aging Program, to help foster programs for continued physical, mental, and social health.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Trip dates: September 23 - October 1, 2025
- Deposit due date: Sunday, March 23, 2025
- Final payment due date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
- 10 seats available
INFORMATION SESSIONS:
- Monday, Feb. 24 at Maple 1—2:30pm
Register for INFO SESSION AT MAPLE
Register for INFO SESSION AT PORTAGE
For details about the Painted Canyons of the West trip, click here.
For more information about Collete trips in general, click here.
Healthy Aging Lunch Crawl
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Lunch Crawl was developed from one of our Healthy Aging group outings—a cooking demo and Q&A with Chef Francisco Cordero from WMU's Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. The group asked him about his favorite eateries in and around Kalamazoo, and he offered a handful of restaurants. So began Lunch Crawl! Every second and fourth Friday, we meet up at one of Kalamazoo's many awesome restaraunts for lunch. Consider joining us! Please email Active For Life Program Director, Shashu Baraka two days prior to confirm your attendance and if you're bringing a plus one. Confirmations need to be in by 4:00pm two days prior to secure seating. Restaurant dates subject to change.
No scheduled events at this time. Please check back again.
Lunch & Learn Series
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Join us for a Lunch & Learn!—these free programs are an opportunity to socialize, gain knowledge, plus get a free, light lunch (and who doesn't love a free lunch?)! See below for our 2025 schedule. Questions? Contact Shashu Baraka.
Lunch & Learns are open to both YMCA members and the public at no cost.
MAPLE DATES
- April 14 at 12:00-1:15pm: Parkinson's Awareness Month with Medtronic
- May 5 at 12:30-2:00pm: National Travel and Tourism Week with Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP)
- June 2 at 12:30-2:00pm: Dementia and Alzheimer's Awareness Month with Best Hearing Store
- October 20 at 12:30-2:00pm: Medicare—All You Need to Know
PORTAGE DATES
- February 10 at 12:30-2:00pm: Westside Chiropractic Wellness
- March 4 at 12:30-2:00pm: Learn about Perscription Medications with Advanced Health Pharmacy
- September 29 at 12:30-2:00pm: Medicare—All You Need to Know
