YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase

This month, we joined friends all around the world to celebrate International Youth Day on August 12th, with the theme: "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations."

What a great reason to celebrate creativity, curiosity, courage and potential of young people everywhere.

At the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, we believe every young person deserves opportunities to learn, lead, discover their passions and build a brighter future.

From the classroom to the pool, the playing field to the community, we’re proud to create spaces where young people can belong, grow and thrive.

Here’s to the next generation of changemakers!

Our beloved Rose is moving away and we are all in denial about her new adventures! After 30 years of impacting hundreds of lives, Rose is moving to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

You are a bright light for so many Rose and we will miss you greatly!

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS LIVE! 🚨🦃

Be the FIRST to register for the 44th Annual Turkey Chase Charity Race & lock in early bird rates!

🎉 BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR: The Tot Trot! 💨

🏆 TAKE THE 175 FOR 175 CHALLENGE:

In honor of the YMCA's 175th anniversary, we’re recruiting 175 champions to raise $175 each to change a child’s future.

That’s just 5 friends giving $35 = real impact providing safe after-school places, mentors, and wellness opportunities.

Register ➔ Donate ➔ Share!
🔗 Sign up tonight: https://www.turkeychase.com/

Tomorrow, Saturday, July 25th, the YMCA family is heading to Audi Field as
D.C. United takes on Toronto FC!

We’re calling on all of our incredible YMCA members, staff, and volunteers to wear your Y gear, bring your energy, and come out to cheer on our local team alongside your community. Let’s make some noise in the stands and keep the soccer excitement going.

Grab your tickets, rally your family and friends, and meet us at the stadium!

Match Details:

Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Kickoff: 7:30 PM
Location: Audi Field | Washington, D.C.
Matchup: D.C. United vs. Toronto FC

https://www.dcunited.com/tickets/single

This Saturday, July 25th, the YMCA family is heading to Audi Field as D.C. United takes on Toronto FC!

We’re calling on all of our incredible YMCA members, staff, and volunteers to wear your Y gear, bring your energy, and come out to cheer on our local team alongside your community. Let’s make some noise in the stands and keep the soccer excitement going.

Grab your tickets, rally your family and friends, and meet us at the stadium!

Match Details:
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Kickoff: 7:30 PM
Location: Audi Field | Washington, D.C.
Matchup: D.C. United vs. Toronto FC

https://www.dcunited.com/tickets

This Wednesday, July 22, 2026, more than 1,200 YMCAs in all 50 states will host a campfire--real or symbolic--bringing people together in a shared moment of connection, reflection, and belonging.

From outdoor summer camps with warm bonfires to gym floors glowing with faux flames, this is about more than a campfire. It's about what happens around it.

Click here to learn more and join the livestream: https://www.ymca.org/campfire

And did you catch YMCA on the TODAY Show this morning? Check out this special story on creating camp spaces that are welcoming to everyone!

https://www.today.com/video/inside-the-camp-bringing-summer-fun-to-kids-with-serious-illness-266944581511

Inside the Camp Bringing Summer Fun to Kids With Serious Illness For 50 years, The Y Program has been making dreams happen for children battling serious illness, giving them the chance to go swim and play at sleep-away camp. NBC’s Joe Fryer heads to Frost Valley YMCA in the Catskills that made it possible for kids with kidney disease to enjoy the summer rite of...

🚨 YMCA MEMBER NOTICE: AIR QUALITY UPDATE - JULY 17, 2026 🚨

The DMV is currently under a severe Air Quality Alert today due to wildfire smoke. To protect the health and safety of our community, staff, and members, YMCA Metropolitan Washington is strictly enforcing our Code Purple protocols today:

🚫 ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELED: This includes all outdoor camp programs, sports clinics, and outdoor amenities.

🏊 OUTDOOR POOLS & COURTS ARE CLOSED: All outdoor amenities (pools, courts, and fields) will remain completely closed until air quality indices improve to safer levels.

💪 INDOOR OPERATIONS ARE RUNNING: The YMCA will operate on its regular schedule for indoor activities only.

We highly encourage all members, children, and staff to stay indoors as much as possible and limit heavy exertion outside today.

Please check your local branch page or our website notification bar before heading out for real-time updates on today's programming.

Stay safe and breathe easy, Y family! 💙

📱 Check your email for direct updates regarding summer camp adjustments.
🔗https://www.ymcadc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/YMCA-Metropolitan-Washington-Air-Quality-Alert-Guidance-1.pdf

During our member appreciation day, we honored Micheline. For the last 5 years, she has made coming to the Y apart of her daily life. She currently is training 3 times a week at 96 years young.

When we say we are for all, we truly mean it. We love all of our members and are thankful we get to celebrate the big and small wins!

As we honor the Independence Day holiday, please see our modified schedule for Friday-Sunday.

Happy 4th!