Greater Wichita YMCA Camp Programs

10/08/2026

10.13.2026

10/07/2026

What do you do when you feel so good about something, you just can't hold it in any longer?

Write a poem.

At least that's what Jan from the Hutchinson YMCA did recently to celebrate the special relationship she's built with her trainer, Mindy Gloria.

Her words are fun, witty, relatable and reflective of how connections are at the heart of the YMCA:

I didn't want to exercise at the Y.
I'd rather stay home and eat pie, read books, paint, and pet cats!
But to improve balance and health, I had to face facts!
Mindy, my trainer, with lots of smiles
put Gary, Lori, and me through tricks from her files!
Mindy knows exercises for every body part.
Encouraging and challenging, she soon won my heart!
Week by week we carried weights through the halls.
"Superman" and "birddog" and throwing balls.
We moaned, laughed, bonded and sweat.
When we left class we were proud...and wet!
You know a thousand ways to exercise, You made our strength and balance rise!
Thank you, Mindy, you're an amazing athlete!
As trainer (and MOM) you can't be beat.

10/02/2026

Did you know that our teens take on a service project each year? 💪

This summer they rolled up their sleeves and helped spread mulch throughout our team building area! Their hard work will help keep the area looking great, protect the ground around our activities, and create a better space for future campers to enjoy.

We're so proud of our teens for giving back to a place that gives them so many opportunities to grow, learn, and make memories!

10/02/2026

What a great way to end the week: Our YMCA family is getting bigger!

Please join us in giving a great, big welcome to our newest Greater Wichita YMCA branch, the YMCA of Topeka.

Our reach is expanding and so is our ability to increase the health and wellness of more Kansans. We have so many reasons to celebrate!

Read the full announcement here: ymcawichita.org/news/ymca-topeka-joins-greater-wichita-ymca

Big announcement today ...

The YMCA of Topeka is now officially part of the Greater Wichita YMCA!

Mark Ault, Chair of the YMCA of Topeka Board of Directors, put into words what we all feel: "The momentum we’re gaining from the Greater Wichita YMCA solidifies our ability to impact more lives in the Topeka community for years to come. We look forward to this next step forward.”

Read the full announcement: ymcawichita.org/news/ymca-topeka-joins-greater-wichita-ymca

10/01/2026

We're hiring Wranglers for Summer 2027!! 🐎

Love horses? Love working with kids? This might be the summer job for you!

Wranglers work hands on with our horses while helping campers learn proper horse care, riding skills, and safe horsemanship. You’ll lead riding activities and trail rides, teach campers how to care for and work with horses, and help create a safe, welcoming, and fun environment where campers can build confidence and make memories.

If you’re passionate about horses and love sharing that passion with kids, we’d love to have you at Camp Hyde this summer!

Apply today through the link below and join our 2027 summer camp team! 🎉
https://secure4.saashr.com/ta/6152369.careers?rnd=EAV&JobsSearch=1&lang=en-US

09/26/2026

Who doesn’t love a good throwback? ⚓️

Anyone remember our amazing Pirate Week theme this summer? Campers put their creativity and boat building skills to the test by designing and building their own boats before racing them across the water.

What started as a fun activity got very competitive very quickly. 🤪

Safe to say, we had some serious pirate captains on our hands!

09/24/2026

A little camp appreciation for your feed today. 🌿 There’s just something special about this place, and we’re grateful for all the memories that have been made here over the years!

09/23/2026

Looking for a place to gather, retreat, or try something new? From outdoor adventures to team-building activities, Camp Hiawatha has plenty of ways to make your next group experience memorable. 🌲

Contact us today to learn more about bringing your group to camp!

09/23/2026

You'll want the sound on for this video featuring ESPN Wichita 92.3's Pat Strathman and the Y's Catherine Seals.

The topic was YMCA youth sports and how any adult can explore volunteer sports coaching opportunities at our branches.

FACT: Volunteer coaches don’t need to be professional coaches or former athletes to make a difference. The YMCA provides training, so no experience is necessary.

ANOTHER FACT: Volunteering can fit different schedules and interests. There are opportunities for people who want to coach, assist a coach or simply lend a hand.

We’re currently looking for coaches for the Fall II sports season (all applicants go through a thorough screening process).

Contact the sports director at any one of our 12 branches to get involved so every child has a team to play on.

09/19/2026

Imagine coming to a new country for the summer, thousands of miles from home, stepping into a new job, a new community and a new experience all without knowing a single person.

That’s exactly what Elsy did!

Originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, Elsy came to the United States as an international counselor with a passion for working with children and creating spaces where young people can grow, learn and feel supported. She knew coming to America for the summer would be a big step outside of her comfort zone, but she didn’t know just how much she would grow or how many connections she would make along the way.

At camp, Elsy found more than a place to work. She found a team that supported her through challenges, coworkers who became friends, and campers who trusted her and welcomed her into their world.

“I’ve truly learned the meaning of community and being here has taught me how essential it is to have spaces where the children feel safe, heard, and free to just have fun and be themselves.”

For Elsy, belonging isn’t necessarily one big moment. It’s in the little things, laughing with campers and teammates, knowing the random things about the kids in her group, debriefing with her team at the end of the day, and realizing how natural it feels to be part of something.

And perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of her experience has been knowing that she can be that safe person for a camper.

“Seeing that trust and knowing that they feel safe in our space is what makes me realize why I’m here.”

While Elsy came to the YMCA hoping to make a difference in the lives of young people, the experience has changed her, too. She has grown in confidence, communication and empathy, stepped outside of her comfort zone and discovered a community far from home.

Coming to a new country and knowing no one isn’t easy. But sometimes, when you take that leap, you find a place (and people) that make you feel like you belong.

We’re grateful that Elsy found that feeling here at the YMCA! 💙

09/16/2026

Our mystery project is starting to look a little less mysterious… 👀

Are you starting to guess what might be making its way into Camp Hiawatha?

One of our favorite parts of the off-season is getting to work on things that will make camp even more fun for our campers. We’re so excited to bring a new experience to camp and can’t wait for campers to get their hands (and feet) on it! 🧗

09/16/2026

While you are waiting for our next camp season, keep moving with YMCA 360 InStudio! InStudio brings digital fitness classes into YMCA spaces using an iPad and a screen. Members can walk into a participating studio, choose a YMCA 360 class on their own, or join a scheduled virtual class.

It’s a great way to fit movement into your schedule, try a new workout, or enjoy a class with friends!

We love how there is always another way to keep that camp energy going! 💪

09/15/2026

Everything we do at the YMCA is centered around improving lives. Our nonprofit mission is as big as it gets, and it’s something we can’t do alone.

Our sincere appreciation goes out to HCA Healthcare, parent company of Wesley Healthcare, for its generous support of our LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program that helps cancer survivors take back their strength, independence and hope for the future.

Yesterday, Bill Voloch, President & CEO of Wesley Healthcare, and Dave Stewart, Director of Communications & Community Engagement at Wesley Healthcare, presented the YMCA with a $25,000 check that will make it possible for nearly 100 individuals to attend 12 weeks of future LIVESTRONG at the YMCA sessions at area YMCA branches. Donations like this allow us to continue offering LIVESTRONG at the YMCA free of charge to anyone, at any point in their cancer journey.

A gift like this will impact so many lives, and we’re incredibly grateful to partner with HCA Healthcare and Wesley Healthcare to strengthen our community.

Thank you!

(pictured left to right) Ronn McMahon, President & CEO of the Greater Wichita YMCA, Dave Stewart, Director of Communications & Community Engagement at Wesley Healthcare, Shamain Bachman, Vice President of Marketing at the YMCA, and Bill Voloch, President & CEO of Wesley Healthcare.

09/12/2026

It’s kinda chic to count down the days until we can make more camp memories. 🤸‍♀️

09/11/2026

9/11 is one of those rare moment's in our nation’s history where you remember exactly where you were when the news broke. The images permanently etched into our collective memories.

Today, on its 25th anniversary, we pause to remember the 2,977 people we lost. They will never be forgotten.

Year after year, we are honored our YMCA branches have been gathering places for individuals throughout our community to take part in the 9/11 memorial stair climb tradition.

110 floors, 2,200 steps, representing the height of the World Trade Center towers.

Each climb honors the 343 FDNY firefighters who gave their lives while helping others on September 11, 2001.

Coming together, we honor their sacrifice and carry their memory forward.

09/04/2026

The YROX Fitness Race is intense – not impossible.

Advance preparation makes the difference, and that's where YMCA trainers come in.

Starting next week, 35 trainers at 11 YMCA branches will kick off YROX Group Training sessions. To get involved, you must sign up in person at any YMCA location by Monday, September 14.

ABOUT TRAINING: Attend early morning/daytime/evening sessions twice a week for 8 weeks with any trainer at any location.

⇾ You've not locked into one time or place.
⇾ Training is on your terms.

AND THEN THERE'S THE BENEFITS:
⇾ Learn beginner, intermediate and advanced modifications for each of the race's 8 functional fitness stations.
⇾ Be mentally and physically ready for race day on 10/31.
⇾ Become a ROX star in your own right

The only thing left to do is add your name to our training rosters. You got this!

Learn more at ymcawichita.org/yrox.

09/03/2026

A good night's sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health. This September, challenge yourself to prioritize rest by aiming for 100 hours of sleep throughout the month, or about 8 hours each night.

Track your sleep in the YMCA 360 app by manually adding a workout and selecting “Sleep.”

Need help winding down? Explore YMCA 360's Rest & Restore sleep support playlist, featuring Bedtime Yoga and other relaxation content designed to help you rest easier.

Join through the app or online at https://ymca360.org/challenges/2705-wake-me-up-when-september-ends.

Don't have the YMCA 360 app? Download it today >>>> ymcawichita.org/ymca360.

09/03/2026

Labor Day (Monday, SEPT 7) is the final day of our 2026 water park season. There's a reason people say time flies when you're having fun! The Fall season is up next with YMCA branches ready to keep the excitement going.

HOLIDAY HOURS: YMCA branches will be open on Labor Day, with adjusted hours. Please check the schedule first before heading out ➡ ymcawichita.org/laborday2026

09/02/2026

Our members have spoken ... the best part about the YMCA is the people!

Tell us: What keeps you coming back to your YMCA branch? Let's fill the comments with Y ❤