June News: Your guide to summer at the Y

Help fight summer hunger

Summer should be a time of joy and freedom for kids—but for many local families it can also mean less food security. The YMCA is here to help. We’re honored to partner with WLOS and Carolina Furniture Concepts for the Break the Hunger food drive on Friday, June 12 from 5:30 a.m.–7 p.m. To learn more and find a list of suggested donation items, click here. Food collection boxes are located at YMCA centers.

Interested in helping out? Volunteer opportunities include:

• Donation Collector Volunteers: Help collect donated food items and support community engagement during the event. Sign up here.
• Quality Check & Sorter Volunteers: Help inspect, organize, and sort donated food items to prepare them for distribution to families in our community. Sign up here.

Give blood to make a difference

We’re partnering with American Red Cross to host Operation Blood Drive on Thursday, June 25 at the Reuter Family YMCA from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and the Asheville YMCA from 1-7 p.m. When you donate blood, you’ll not only save three lives, you'll earn a $15 e-gift card and be entered into two prize drawings. Non-members who participate will also receive a five-day guest pass to the YMCA, so bring a friend! 

Schedule your appointment today at redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code OBD2026. Help show how our community comes together when it matters most.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Summer fun starts at the Y
At YMCA half-day camps, kids will experience a summer full of play, learning, and friendship while you keep your schedule flexible. Options include:

• Sports Camps: Kids ages 5-13 will learn the basics of basketball, soccer, flag football, and volleyball through drills and games. Perfect for aspiring athletes to play a variety of sports and recreational games. Offerings vary by age and location.
• Camp Kiddos: Children ages 3-6 are introduced to a structured summer camp with arts and crafts, songs, outdoor play, and basic water safety.
• Camp Explorers at the Corpening Memorial Y makes learning fun for kids ages 6-12 with a week of activities, projects, and experiments.  

All half-day camps run from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Financial assistance is available. Sign up here.

Building bright futures
Reach & Rise® is a national YMCA program that provides group therapeutic mentorship to youth ages 6-17 who face challenges such as decline in mental health, low self-esteem, and family or peer conflict. Participants receive support from caring adults in a small group setting. You can help inspire a future by becoming a mentor. Applications for fall mentorships are open now. Click here to apply or to refer a youth.

Need a night out?
Take a well-deserved break with Parents Night Out at the Y. Kids ages 1-12 will have fun with games, crafts, and friends while parents get a few hours to themselves. This program is open to the public and is offered at multiple locations on different dates. Find the option that works best for you here.

MEMBER BONUS: Household members and single adult members with dependents receive one free Parents Night Out session per child every quarter.

HEALTHY LIVING

Take your fitness routine outside
Enjoy sunshine and fresh air when you work out in our new outdoor functional fitness zones! Available at the Asheville Y, Black Mountain Y, and Hendersonville Family Y, these areas allow you to build strength, move freely, and train in a natural setting. You’ll find equipment like free weights, resistance bands, and more! No reservations required for individual use.

Find fun, friends, and adventure
Looking for a chance to unplug, recharge, and reconnect with your adventurous side? Healthy Aging Camp at Camp Watia is designed specifically for active adults ages 40 and up who want a true camp experience: no distractions (and no kids) — just fun, community, and the great outdoors. Join us Aug. 17-19 to relax, laugh, and forget about the responsibilities of everyday life. Learn more and register here.

Take your workout to the next level
Accomplish any fitness goal, from improved health to weight loss to better athletic performance, at Westridge CrossFit in the Ferguson Family Y. All skill levels are welcome, and financial assistance is available. Plus, childcare is available while you work out. Interested in giving CrossFit a try? Your first class is free! Click here to learn more and get started.

Caring through connection
During National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, we’re raising awareness about brain health and the steps we can take to protect it. Staying active and socially connected can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Click here to explore our programs to support your brain and body health.

In partnership with Dementia Partners AVL, the Y hosts a group at multiple Y centers each month that provides support for caregivers and folks with dementia or related ailments. Find upcoming groups here.

From surviving to thriving
During National Cancer Survivors Month, cancer survivor and LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA participant John Love is taking on the “333 for 30 Challenge.” Follow along as he completes 333 daily kettlebell swings to raise awareness and support for the program, which helps cancer survivors reclaim strength and find community at no cost. Click here to donate to the cause.

Find something new to do
Whether you're interested in crafting and games, learning new things, or finding a supportive community, the Y offers a wide array of activities for different interests and needs. Discover upcoming events here.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 

Do work that matters
Looking for a meaningful summer job? Work at the Y! You can make an impact while having fun, building skills, and receiving benefits, including a free membership. Explore openings and apply here.

Extra: Lifeguards and swim instructors are eligible for a summer bonus. Learn more here.

Taste the flavors of summer
Our mobile food markets bring free, healthy produce and nutrition education to the community each month. Open to all, no questions asked. Find this month's schedule here.

Be the change
Do you want to make a positive impact in our community? Try volunteering with the Y! We offer a variety of ways you can get involved in giving back. Find opportunities here.

Welcoming all
The YMCA of WNC welcomes all sizes, all colors, all genders, all beliefs, all religions, all types, all people – everyone! During National Pride Month in June, we celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.

Holiday hours
As we observe upcoming holidays, please note the following updates to YMCA center hours and youth programs:

YMCA centers will close at 1 p.m. on:

• Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth)
• Saturday, July 4 (Independence Day)
• Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day)

Afterschool and Summer Day Camps will be closed on:

• Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth)
• Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day)