News

Lessons help swimmers of all ages and skills develop a lifelong love of swimming

May is National Water Safety Month, and the perfect time to get children involved in swim lessons. As America’s Swim Instructor, the Y is the most accessible community resource to prevent drowning and encourage a lifelong enjoyment of swimming—teaching more than one million kids a year swimming and water safety skills.

This year, YMCA of Columbia has updated its lessons to increase the accessibility and enjoyment of swimming to all ages and skill levels. The latest evolution of Y Swim Lessons accommodates varying abilities to help foster a […]

School is nearly out, and while kids typically burst into summer with a zealous energy, most parents can tell you it doesn’t take long for summer boredom to set in.

But boredom is banished at YMCA of Columbia, where children can have their best summer ever thanks to a variety of programs and activities that stimulate both mind and body. “Children need an outlet to play and learn throughout the summer,” says Wendy Broderick, Chief Development Officer, “From summer camp to swim lessons to our summer food program, the Y supports all children in the community and helps them discover their […]

On National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, the YMCA of Columbia wants Midlands residents to learn the risk factors of falls

September 22 is National Falls Prevention Awareness Day and the YMCA of Columbia is joining the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Falls Free Coalition for Ready, Steady, Balance: Prevent Falls in 2016, a day of action to help raise awareness and prevention of falls in the Midlands of South Carolina.

Each year, it’s estimated that one out of three Americans aged 65 or older will suffer a fall, leaving many of these adults with a fear of falling […]

Columbia Fireflies’ leadership staff were presented with the Spirit, Mind and Body Award by the YMCA of Columbia at the Y’s annual Breakfast of Champions on August 4, 2016. 

The Spirit, Mind and Body Award goes to an individuals or organizations who consistently seek to enhance the lives of others.  

The YMCA of Columbia and the Columbia Fireflies share a singular vision of helping all youth reach their full potential in life making them natural partners. Together the Fireflies and the Y are leveraging excitement and passion around recreational and professional baseball programs to create a healthy outlet for children to gain new skills, develop […]

The YMCA of Columbia presented Lexi Peake with the Junior Achiever Award for his hard work and dedication to the Y and youth summer camps at the Y’s annual Breakfast of Champions on August 4, 2016.  

Lexi spent eight years at the Lexington Family YMCA as a summer camper prior to joining the “C.I.T”, or Counselor-in-Training, program. She is a freshman at Lexington High School, member of St. David Lutheran Church, plays the bass in the honors orchestra and jazz band and speaks four languages.  

“She has a true heart for summer camp,” said Savanah Standifer, Youth Development Director at the Lexington Family YMCA. “Working at the Y has raised her awareness […]

The YMCA of Columbia recognized Bill Price with the 2016 Kenneth Richey Volunteer of the Year Award at the Y’s annual Breakfast of Champions donor appreciation event on August 4, 2016.  

Price has been a member of the Y for 36 years and currently serves as President of the YMCA of Columbia Board of Directors and Chief Volunteer Officer. He has served on the Board of Directors for 13 years. He was instrumental in the YMCA of Columbia’s partnership with Orangeburg County that led to the state-of-the-art Orangeburg County YMCA facility and the expansion of the Y’s mission to underserved communities in that area. […]