Summertime at the YMCA is truly a magical season – and one of the most powerful times to see our mission in action throughout our community. Each year, children from across Will and Grundy Counties come to the Y to build confidence, try new activities, form lasting friendships, and discover their full potential.
This year is especially meaningful as the Greater Joliet Area YMCA proudly celebrates 100 years of service to our community. For a century, the Y has been a place where kids and families grow stronger in spirit, mind, and body. From generation to generation, summer at the Y has created lifelong memories and life-changing experiences.
At the Y, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive at summer day camp, but we can’t do it alone. Last summer, more than half of the children who attended YMCA camp did so with the support of our financial assistance program – made possible by the generosity of donors like you. To ensure that the Y’s mission will continue to thrive and help those kids in our community who need it most, we need your support once again.
As we begin our second century of strengthening the community, your investment in local children and families – your friends and neighbors – makes an immediate and lasting impact. We invite you to make a charitable contribution to the YMCA’s 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign. Your gift, in any amount, will help to ensure that every child has the opportunity to benefit from an engaging and impactful summer camp experience at the Y.
Donate today by visiting your local YMCA branch or making a charitable gift online.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all gifts to the Greater Joliet Area YMCA are tax-deductible.
May is National Water Safety Month. When the weather starts to heat up, the pools, lakes, oceans, rivers and other bodies of water start calling! While swimming can be a very enjoyable activity this summer, it is important to remind all parents and caregivers of the importance of water safety. That is why the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is sharing these six tips on how children can stay safe in and around the water.
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a century of service, leadership, and impact.
