The YDC

06/04/2026

A little Thursday morning sunshine from the YDC! ☀️

Our Summerfest campers spent part of their morning creating get-well cards for Wi******er’s favorite meteorologist, Lauryn Ricketts, and we dropped them off with lots of wishes for sunshine, smiles, and a speedy recovery!

We hope Lauryn is back home with Baby Cole soon, surrounded by love, laughter, and plenty of good weather.

It’s also a good reminder that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day in a big way. Whether it’s a card, a kind word, or simply checking in on a neighbor, our community is strongest when we take care of one another.

We’re sending lots of sunshine your way, Lauryn! 💙☀️

laurynrickettsnbc

06/04/2026

🎬 Lights, camera, action!

Next week at Summerfest, we’re rolling out the red carpet for Film Fun Week! Campers will explore the magic of Hollywood, learn about filmmaking, enjoy movie-themed activities, and may even create their very own YDC Hollywood Walk of Fame. ⭐️

There’s still time to join the fun! Daily and weekly registration options are available.

🎟️ Enrolling multiple campers? Use code YDCFAM for 15% off your registration.

We can’t wait to see what our future directors, actors, athletes, and storytellers create next week at the YDC! 🍿✨

For more information visit, https://www.myydc.org/events/summerfest-2026-2026-06-08-07-30.

06/02/2026

🎮 A big thank you to Alyssa Duran from Shenandoah University Esports for spending the morning with our Summerfest campers!

Alyssa shared what esports is all about, discussed the importance of being a good teammate both in and out of the game, and even led campers through stretches and movement exercises designed specifically for esports players.

Thank you, Alyssa, for helping our campers learn, grow, and think differently about what it means to be part of a team! We are grateful for partners like Shenandoah University who help bring enriching experiences to the YDC!

06/01/2026

🏁 Day One of Summerfest is off to the races! 🎮☀️

We’re kicking off the summer with Esports Week, and the energy has been incredible from the moment campers walked through our doors!

A special thank you to Gracie, Alexa, Cameron, and Lily for helping welcome campers and their families this morning and making sure everyone started their day with a smile.

And first-day jitters? Not here! Our campers jumped right into the fun, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the week has in store.

Here’s to a summer filled with friendship, creativity, confidence, and plenty of memories at the YDC!

05/29/2026

Today, we're excited to share the completed mural project on the south end of the Walking Mall!

What started as a vision to bring more color, creativity, and energy to the south end of Old Town became a true community effort. Together with the Wi******er Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, the John & Janice Wyatt Foundation, city staff, volunteers, property owners, committee members, KEE Construction Services Inc, and muralist Annelise Vuono (LoveBug Illustrations by Annelise), we transformed a blank wall into a vibrant piece of public art that celebrates literacy, imagination, and creativity.

More than just a mural, this project helps support the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading's mission of inspiring a love of reading and learning while creating a more welcoming and engaging public space for families and visitors to enjoy.

This project is a great reminder of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared vision.

We'll officially celebrate with a ribbon cutting on June 26, but today we're simply excited to share the finished product.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this project to life.

05/29/2026

The holiday season is coming to the YDC a little early! 🎄

Join us next Saturday for Merry & Bright, a festive art class pop-up where young artists will design ornaments for a chance to inspire the official 2026 YDC Festival of Trees ornament!

Creativity, holiday fun, and a little friendly competition? Count us in.

🎨 Recommended for ages 6-12
📍 The YDC | 302 S. Loudoun Street
⏰ 10AM - 11AM
💲 FREE!

REGISTER HERE ⬇️

Join the YDC for Merry & Bright, a special holiday-themed art class pop-up where young artists will help inspire the official 2026 Festival of Trees ornament! Each participant's artwork will be shared with our Board of Directors to decide whose design will be the 2026 Festival of Trees ornament!

05/27/2026

Did you miss The Station Mobile Cafe at the YDC today? Don’t worry… Sarah will be back on Friday! ☕️✨

Be like VP Karis and swing by the YDC between 7:30AM–1:00PM at 302 S. Loudoun Street for your morning coffee fix, community connection, and maybe your new favorite drink of the season.

Rumor has it the Americano with Sarah’s strawberry syrup is officially the drink of spring 🍓

05/26/2026

Our FREE art classes are returning next Wednesday! 🎨

Join Ms. Lindsay from 10:30AM–11:30AM at the YDC as we kick off Week 1 with Q-Tip Dot Painting, where young artists will create colorful abstract artwork using layered dots, patterns, movement, and texture to explore creativity in a fun and hands-on way.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for another season of creativity, connection, and community at the YDC!

➡️ Link in bio or visit https://www.myydc.org/events/summer-art-class-2026-06-03-10-30 to register!

05/25/2026

First Friday will be here before we know it! 🎶

Drop the kids off at the YDC and enjoy a night on the Walking Mall filled with live music, shopping, dinner, and summer fun while we keep the kids engaged with art, games, esports, activities, and more!

🗓️ Friday, June 5
⏰ 5PM–8PM
📍 YDC | 302 S. Loudoun Street
💲 $5 per child

A fun, supervised night for kids while you enjoy everything happening in Old Town Wi******er!

SIGN UP HERE ➡️

Kick off summer with the YDC during First Friday! Children will enjoy supervised crafts, games, esports, sports activities, and more. A fun, affordable, and community-centered evening designed to help young people connect, create, and celebrate the start of summer!

05/25/2026

Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

At the YDC, we are especially grateful for the generations before us who fought for the freedoms, opportunities, and communities we are able to build within today. We will continue to work to honor their sacrifice not only in remembrance, but in the way we show up for one another and the next generation.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day! 🇺🇸