The YMCA of the Chesapeake invites the entire Eastern Shore community to join its Summer Bucket List Challenge and enjoy a screen-free summer. The Challenge begins on Monday, June 19th and is part of the YMCA’s national Strong Life initiative to strengthen people in spirit, mind and body.

Participants can get into the summer spirit through more than 50 activities to get outside, active and having fun. Family, friends, and even pets, can complete activities and win prizes throughout the summer.

The Summer Bucket list is not limited to just current YMCA members, any member of the community may join by texting SUMMER to 844-889-6222 and filling out the form linked in the text reply to complete registration. Once a participant completes 20 activities, they are eligible to win the Grand Prize of $2,000.

“With challenges ranging from getting lost in a book to volunteering at a non-profit organization to participating in a YMCA group exercise class, everyone can find something fun and interesting to do,” said Robbie Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO. “Ys across the Shore are committed to finding ways to keep our community active and limit screen time all summer long.”

Bucket Lists may be picked up at any YMCA of the Chesapeake branch or downloaded from StrongLife.org/summer.

About the YMCA of the Chesapeake

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and Page 2 social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income, or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to their inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves.

The YMCA of the Chesapeake announces that registration for youth summer programs in 2023 at its Cecil County, Easton, Henson, Kent County, Lower Shore, Perkins, Queen Anne’s County, and Robbins branches is now open. Registration is now open on the YMCA of the Chesapeake website, and camp registration fees are waived through the month of March when the promo code “2023-Camp” is used while checking out.

YMCA of the Chesapeake day camps are centered around improving the well-being of children, with the programs focusing on three areas of development: friendships, accomplishment and belonging. Kids will have the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships along the way with the opportunities the Y provides.

“The Y offers a wide variety of programs ranging from athletics and arts to zip lines and canoeing that give children the opportunity to follow their passion or try something new,” said Robbie Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO. “The goal for our campers is to provide an unforgettable summer where our community’s youth can unplug and grow.”

YMCA summer camps are available for preschoolers, school-age children and teens. Most camps operate Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm with before and after camp care available at no extra charge.

For more information about specific camp programs at YMCA of the Chesapeake branches and to register, visit www.ymcachesapeake.org/programs/camps/day-camp.

About the YMCA of the Chesapeake
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,290,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves.

The YMCA of the Chesapeake is partnering with YMCAs across the Country for the national Reset Challenge. Beginning February 13, 2023, the Y is encouraging members and non-members at nearly 100 Y locations to spend the next 21 days building one healthy habit that will improve their physical, mental, or spiritual health.

“Studies show that people who commit to healthier lifestyles are more successful when doing so with a partner or partners, and the YMCA of the Chesapeake is the place to find a supportive community and opportunities to achieve those goals,” says Robbie Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO. “If you were already thinking about making changes in the new year, but don’t want to do it alone, join the Rest Challenge  by texting RESET to 844-889-6222.”

Y community members can build their own healthy habits, join or create virtual accountability groups, and play RESET Bingo every week to track their successes. They will also be entered to win $50 gift cards weekly, and a regional grand prize at the program’s completion. RESET isn’t only for Y members, non-members can also join RESET and receive free on-demand and live virtual content through Y360, and two guest passes per week.

To register and learn more, text RESET to 844-889-6222.

About the YMCA of the Chesapeake 

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and Page 2 social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income, or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to their inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves. 

The YMCA of the Chesapeake will host a membership campaign from January 2^nd – 31^st and will waive the joining fee of up to $75 at all of its eleven locations on the Eastern Shore.

“With the start of this new year, we want to encourage everyone to join their local YMCA to focus on their health, family, and community in 2023,” said Robbie Gill, CEO of the YMCA of the Chesapeake. “Each year, we aim to provide support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive. Kick off the new year the right way by joining us today!”

YMCA memberships not only provide access to your local facility, but also support programs that strengthen communities and ensure that no one is turned away from the Y because of an inability to pay.

YMCA of the Chesapeake memberships include access to all eleven YMCA of the Chesapeake locations from Elkton to Chincoteague as well as all Ys in Maryland and participating Ys across the Country. Members also benefit from more than 300 land and water fitness classes, free Stay & Play childcare while they work out and discounts on youth sports, swim lessons, day camps, and other enrichment programs. 

Through the Y’s Open Doors Program, no individual or family is turned away due to financial hardship, and membership fees can be reduced for those who qualify. The Open Doors Program is made possible through the generosity of members, volunteers, and community donors through the Annual Campaign. 

To learn more about joining the YMCA of the Chesapeake, visit https://ymcachesapeake.org/join/join-the-y or stop by a local branch. Branch locations are available at www.ymcachesapeake.org/locations. 

About the YMCA of the Chesapeake
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Worcester and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves.  

The YMCA of the Chesapeake is thrilled to announce that the 2022 YMCA Turkey Trot broke records this year, with approximately 1,600 runners and 99 dogs participating, raising over $135,000 for programming across all eleven YMCA of the Chesapeake branches on the Delmarva Peninsula.

“We are so thankful to all of our participants and sponsors from across the Eastern Shore who made this wonderful Thanksgiving tradition such a success this year,” said Robbie Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO. “Know that you have made a great impact by supporting your local Y.”

The event’s proceeds are dedicated to the YMCA’s Annual Fund, which supports a multitude of programs for all ages across the Shore. This includes local food drives, youth sports, Enhance Fitness (an exercise program for seniors), LiveStrong (a program for adult cancer survivors), Rock Steady (a program for those battling Parkinson’s Disease), child care, swim lessons, mentoring programs, before and after school care, and the YMCA’s Open Doors Program, which ensures that no member of the community is turned away from a Y facility or program due to an inability to pay.

In-person Turkey Trots were hosted by seven of the eleven YMCA branches across the Eastern Shore, including the Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA, Easton Family YMCA at Peachblossom, the Richard A. Henson Family YMCA in Salisbury, the Cecil County Family YMCA, the Pauline F. and David Robbins Family YMCA in Cambridge, the Kent County Family YMCA in Chestertown, and the David Landsberger Family YMCA in Chincoteague, Virginia. In addition, a virtual Turkey Trot was also available.

The 2022 Turkey Trot sponsors included: Chesapeake Crawlspace Solutions, Hometown Inspections, Shore Time Moving, A&A Mechanical Service, Inc., Allen Clark Jr. Inc., B & G Foods, Benson and Mangold, BesTemps, Cambridge MultiSport, Campbell’s Boatyards, Chesapeake Auto Repair Service, CVACH Financial Services, Delmarby, Inc., Edward Jones, Kelley Selph CFP, Farmers Bank of Willards, H & H Pharmacy, Hampton Inn and Suites, Happy Chicken Bakery LLC., Hickman Plumbing Heating and Air, Hopkins Sales Company, Horizon Farm Credit, Island Getaways, Livingston Wealth Management, MacDonald Law Office, LLC., McCain, Dees & Associates, Meghan Oliver Clarkson – Long and Foster, Minutemen Press, Paris Foods, Peninsula Alternative Health, Pico Taqueria, PKS & Company P. A., Playa Bowls, Salisbury University Foundation, The Brant, The Dixon Group, Tidewater Physical Therapy, TJ Distributors, Tomey Electric, Town & Country Animal Hospital, and H&M Bay, Inc.

About the YMCA of the Chesapeake

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and Page 2 social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income, or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to their inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves.

The YMCA of the Chesapeake is thrilled to announce the return of its annual Turkey Trot, which will be hosted virtually and in person at seven locations across the Eastern Shore.

“We are so excited to welcome back everyone from across the Eastern Shore at the annual Turkey Trot,” said Robbie Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO. “Getting active with friends and family at this fun Thanksgiving event, whether in-person or virtual, is a great way to be surrounded by a community of goodwill while also supporting your local Y.”

Proceeds from the Turkey Trot are dedicated to the YMCA’s Annual Fund, which supports a multitude of programs for all ages across the Shore. This includes local food drives, youth sports, Enhance Fitness (an exercise program for seniors), LiveStrong (a program for adult cancer survivors), Rock Steady (a program for those battling Parkinson’s Disease), child care, swim lessons, mentoring programs, before and after school care, and the YMCAs Open Doors Program, which ensures that no member of the community is turned away from a Y facility or program due to an inability to pay.

Those participating virtually can walk or run a 5K (3.1 miles) route of their choosing whenever it is convenient between Sunday, November 20th, and Saturday, November 26th.

Each in-person Turkey Trot will be a 5K (3.1 miles) course held on Thanksgiving Day at 8:30 AM. Participants can run or walk as a team, with family (including their dogs), or on their own. All ages and abilities are welcomed and encouraged.

In-person Turkey Trots are being hosted by seven of the eleven YMCA branches across the Eastern Shore, including the Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA, Easton Family YMCA at Peachblossom, the Richard A. Henson Family YMCA in Salisbury, the Cecil County Family YMCA, the Pauline F. and David Robbins Family YMCA in Cambridge, the Kent County Family YMCA in Chestertown, and the David Landsberger Family YMCA in Chincoteague, Virginia.

Early-bird pricing starts at $40/person and increases on November 1st. To register, please visit www.ymcachesapeake.org.

About the YMCA of the Chesapeake

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves.  

YMCA of the Chesapeake members, and the community at large, are invited to participate in a national challenge: STRONG! Find your breakthrough while you grow stronger in spirit, mind, and body. There will be 21 days of skill-building, habit forming, and connecting to yourself and others through fitness challenges, podcasts, video messages, and an online support community group.

Thousands of people across the country participate in the STRONG Challenge each year. The community group shares successes and motivates each other so no one is alone on their journey! The 21-day challenge begins October 17, 2022; all those interested are encouraged to sign up by October 14th. Those who sign up will receive a small number of texts throughout the program featuring motivational tips and tools to set and reach goals, and access to a website where they can find all the challenges, podcasts, and video messages.

If you feel stuck, frozen, or just need a little (or big!) nudge forward, the STRONG Challenge will help focus and build your healthy lifestyle skills! To participate, text STRONG to 844-889-6222 and begin your journey of committing to a stronger you!

About the YMCA of the Chesapeake

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves.  

The YMCA of the Chesapeake announces the start of the community phase of fundraising for the Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA/Senior Center. The Queen Anne’s County Senior Center will operate five days a week, leading senior-based programming and services.  The Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA will support the Senior Center in providing health and enrichment programs, working with the community’s aging population to develop and/or maintain healthy habits and lifestyles and improve their quality of life.  Once constructed, this will be the only facility in the community that will have an advance fitness component for seniors.

“This is a moment sixteen years in the making,” said Robbie Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO. “To date we have raised $18.6 million dollars which equals 79% of our $23.6 million dollar project cost. We need our community’s help to reach our goal so the new YMCA/Senior Center is debt free and has the resources to make sure everyone can participate regardless of the ability to pay for programs and services.  The opening of a full-facility YMCA/Senior Center in Queen Anne’s County will be a transformative moment for the community.”

A full facility Y will allow the Y to increase the number of programs and resources that connect people through a common need or cause, building a supportive network throughout their lifetime.  A new Queen Anne’s County Y will allow for:

• Learn to Swim programming to teach key lifesaving skills
• Support before and after school programs – providing a safe place for children to go in the community; and specialized programs focused on closing the learning gap for children in our community – early learning readiness and summer learning
• Provide the space to replicate our shared use, senior center model in St. Michaels to run regular senior programs to combat issues of senior isolationism in partnership with Queen Anne’s County.
• Expand Chronic Disease Programs (LiveStrong, Rock Steady, Enhanced Fitness, Diabetes Prevention)
• Year round pickleball opportunities
• Supporting high school swim teams
• Working closely with community partners to strengthen community through programs and services.

All these programs are currently running successfully at other branches but are not easily accessible to the members at the existing Queen Anne’s County Y due to space limitations.

Unique to the new Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA/Senior Center will be a Career Development and Resource Center (CDRC). The CDRC will provide professional resources and support to job skills training and development and support local business in Queen Anne’s County and the Upper Shore region.

“Not only is the facility itself exciting, but it’s dual purpose as a Y and senior center, combined with its central location near the high school and county services creates unique and exciting programming opportunities to strengthen our community,” continued Gill. “While working to secure land for this new facility, we conducted a study to determine how many people a new YMCA could serve.  The study showed that a new YMCA could serve over 10,000 community members on a weekly basis, meaning this location has the potential to be one of the largest YMCAs on the Eastern Shore. Best of all, the YMCA turns no one away due to the inability to pay. Everyone is welcome. The new Y/Senior Center will serve as the front porch of our community.”

The YMCA of the Chesapeake’s shared-use, Senior Center/YMCA model, first developed for the Perkins Family YMCA and Bay Hundred Senior Center, is the first of its kind in the YMCA movement. By creating this shared-use model with Queen Anne’s County, the Y will reach a level of resource and programmatic support that they would not otherwise be able to provide.

According to Cathy Willis, QAC Director of Community Services, “We have been fortunate to have three senior centers located in Grasonville, Kent Island and Sudlersville, however the Centreville Senior Center closed in 2011 following the county reorganization. For ten years now, participants from the central area of the county have had to travel or be transported to one of the other three locations. To say we are thrilled is an understatement to bring this service back to the central area of the county and offer so much more county-wide in this shared-use facility. State of the art fitness equipment, Chronic Disease Self-Management programs, Aquatics programs and Pickle Ball courts are just a few of the most exciting highlights for our participants!  It has been a pleasure to work with the YMCA team on this collaboration.”

The Y’s involvement in Queen Anne’s County began in 2009. At the time, Chesapeake College announced plans to close the only indoor community pool in the county. Residents voiced concerns to the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners and pleaded for the pool to stay open to provide crucial aquatics programs. The County reached out to the Y for expertise and assistance.  The Y, the College, and the County signed a memorandum of understanding that kept the pool open through 2012. This collaborative effort highlighted the need and opportunity to build a YMCA in Queen Anne’s County.

In November 2015, Queen Anne’s County donated 17 acres of land to the YMCA in Centreville, Maryland.  The location is ideal for a community YMCA, as it sits directly across from Queen Anne’s County High School, which serves approximately 1,100 students.  Additionally, Kennard Elementary School (513 students grades 3 – 5) and Centreville Middle School (535 students grades 6 – 8) are both within a half of a mile and will have walking access to the YMCA.

The YMCA of the Chesapeake has consistently been on the forefront of the YMCA movement, pushing other YMCAs to be innovative in their service to the community.  They were the first to develop a shared-use model to better serve the senior population and have provided consistent staffing and resource capacity to meet various community needs; providing leadership and support. The Y’s work and experience to this point allows them to innovate with a career development and resource center model.  By implementing this model at the Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA there will be an opportunity to actively support the local, rural economy.  If you are interested in learning more about supporting the Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA/Senior Center Capital Campaign, please contact Tony Sigmon at [email protected].

About the YMCA of the Chesapeake

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves.

Beginning June 7^th, the YMCA in Cambridge, MD will play host to the J Noah Skills Academy, a unique mentorship program for high school student athletes.

The J Noah Skills Academy is a nonprofit organization founded by Jordan Pearlstein, a college basketball player and longtime mentor who received his Certified Associate in Project Management designation from the Project Management Institute.  Pearlstein combined all of these experiences to develop an innovative approach to mentorship.

The Academy provides student athletes with a free, fun way to learn practical project management skills that are highly desired by employers.  The project management concepts are taught through the lens of basketball to help these students better relate to and understand the material.  Exposing high schoolers to the principles of project management provides them with knowledge, self-awareness, and self-assessment to enable them to start and finish projects in all aspects of their lives.  Possessing post-college level skills before they even graduate high school increases a J Noah student’s likelihood of both personal and professional success.

The curriculum is based on frameworks provided by the Project Management Institute.  Each student enrolled at the J Noah Skills Academy works with their mentor to create a personalized Mentee Action Plan.  The student uses project management skills to identify and achieve academic, athletic, and personal goals, and the action plan establishes processes for requesting any help and resources they need.

While Pearlstein started his program nearly a year ago, he had difficulty identifying a steady location that had basketball courts, study space, and the technological capabilities that would enable him to teach the full curriculum.  After meeting with Pearlstein about this unique program, Executive Director Shania Gregory offered him space at the Pauline F. and W. David Robbins Family YMCA.

“I am very excited,” Pearlstein says.  “The YMCA has everything we need for our students to get the most impact from our program.  I am so grateful to Shania for giving us this opportunity to change young lives for the better.”

As a nonprofit organization, the J Noah Skills Academy is a free service for student-athletes.  Once enrolled in the Academy, students will participate in three sessions per week throughout the summer – Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 – 8:30 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.  To learn more, enroll your child, volunteer, or make a donation, visit jnoahskills.org or contact Jordan Pearlstein at [email protected] or 608-208-3919.