The Story of Camp No Bedtime (And Why Structure Matters)
Catie Young, Youth Development Director pictured right with Assistant Director Natalie Woods.
By Catie Young, Downtown Youth Development Director
As we continue our journey towards Summer 2025, we’re sharing stories and insights that illuminate the philosophy behind our camp program. This week, we’re diving into a fascinating experiment from Camp Stomping Ground, founded by the innovative Jack Schott (Summer Camp Society), and what it taught us about the importance of structure.
Imagine a camp with no bedtime. Sounds like a dream come true for kids, right? That’s exactly what Camp […]
Join Us for Interactive Nutrition Classes at the Orangeburg County YMCA!
We’re excited to welcome students from the Community Nutrition Course at South Carolina State University, led by Carmen Thompson, MS, RDN, LD, for a series of interactive nutrition classes at the Y! They will be sharing valuable education and live demonstrations on key health topics!
This is a great opportunity to learn practical tips for making healthier choices in your daily life. Whether you want to understand added sugars, improve heart health, focus on better nutrition, or stay hydrated, these sessions will give you expert […]
Paint With Us! Christmas Art Event at Orangeburg County YMCA!
Unleash Your Inner Artist and Heal Your Mind!
Join us for a relaxing and therapeutic paint class hosted by C.Q. Shannon, MAAT (Master of Arts in Art Therapy), ATR-P (Registered Art Therapist-Provisional).
We’ll guide you step-by-step through creating a beautiful masterpiece on a pre-designed canvas. No experience necessary!
This class is for anyone 12 and up. It’s a perfect event for a fun family afternoon!
Welcome Trep to the YMCA of Columbia as the New Maintenance and Facilities Director!
WELCOME TREP TO THE YMCA OF COLUMBIA!
Ralph (Trep) Trepkowski, New Association Maintenance & Facilities Director with Jim Vietti, CEO YMCA of Columbia, SC
We’re thrilled to have Ralph (Trep) Trepkowski join our team as the new Association Maintenance and Facilities Director. Trep brings a wealth of experience from his 12 years as Facility Director at the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA in Michigan.
With his expertise in facility management and construction oversight, Trep will play a crucial role in maintaining and improving our YMCA facilities. His passion for creating positive experiences […]
Welcome, Lane! Downtown YMCA Sports Director
If you frequent the Downtown YMCA, you’ll recognize our new Sports Director – Lane Hein!
A native of Chapin, South Carolina, Lane has a lifelong connection to the outdoors and a passion for sports. From soccer and basketball to football and weightlifting, Lane has always embraced physical challenges and the camaraderie of team sports. These experiences instilled in him the value of discipline, teamwork, and goal setting.
Lane’s background may seem surprising, but his experience in the culinary world has been instrumental in his leadership approach. It honed his ability to lead with […]
Downtown Health and Wellness Coordinator, Kinley McDougald!
We’re thrilled to introduce Kinley McDougald, a new addition to our YMCA team!
A South Carolina native, Kinley thrives outdoors, whether tending her yard or soaking up sunshine by the lake.When she’s not working, you can find her spending quality time with family or staying active.
Kinley’s connection to the Y goes way back. It all started at her hometown YMCA, where she swam on the team in elementary school, enjoyed summer camps, and even landed her first job as a lifeguard. Throughout high school and college, she continued her Y journey, working […]



