Summer day camp, swim lessons, sports leagues, after-school care, teen leadership clubs — the Y is where kids in Central Virginia learn confidence, character, and how to belong to something bigger than themselves.
Every year more than 4,200 children come through Y youth programs in Central Virginia. They learn to swim. They learn to play on a team. They learn how to handle the long stretch between school dismissal and a parent's commute home. They make friends who don't look exactly like them. And, when they need it, the Y covers the cost — no questions asked.
Y programs are organized around three areas of focus that have guided the YMCA since the 1800s.
Summer day camp (ages 5–12), after-school care (K–5th), school's-out-day camps, and Little Scholars Academy childcare. All programs Department-of-Social-Services licensed.
Browse campsGroup and private swim lessons (parent-tot through advanced), youth sports leagues (basketball, soccer, flag football, volleyball), and the Y's nationally recognized Safety Around Water program.
RegisterY-Achievers college-readiness, Leaders Club teen-volunteer corps, Counselor-in-Training program, and the Black & Latino Achievers initiative. Building the next generation of YCVA staff and community leaders.
Learn moreAquatics Director · Old Forest Rd Branch
Marcus has run aquatics programs at YCVA since 2014. A former competitive swimmer at Heritage High School, he came back to Lynchburg after college and never left. He oversees swim lessons, lifeguard certification, the masters swim program, and YCVA's Safety Around Water initiative — which has reached more than 1,800 area kids since 2018.
If you're new to the pool, ask for Marcus. He'll walk you through what every member gets, schedule a free swim assessment, and match you with the right class for where you actually are — not where the marketing material says you should be.
The hours between school pickup and a working parent's commute home are when most kids in Central Virginia get into the most trouble. Y after-school care fills that exact gap — homework time, structured play, snacks, plus a daily dose of physical activity. Department-of-Social-Services licensed at every branch.
Currently 320 K–5th-grade students in our after-school program. About one-third on financial assistance. Zero kids waiting on a list.
After-school enrollmentY day camp runs June through August at the Old Forest Rd and Jamerson branches. Ages 5–12. Field trips, swimming, sports, arts & crafts, friendship bracelets and the works. Camp is the most-requested scholarship of the year — budget enough that no family is told no.
Registration opens April 1 each year. Members get priority.
Camp registrationEvery Y youth program offers financial assistance. Application is one page, processed in 5 business days. We turn no one away — not in 170 years.
Read About the Annual CampaignIf you have a kid in Lynchburg, Forest, or Madison Heights and you've been wondering if the Y might be a good fit — the answer is yes. Visit any branch and we'll walk you through it.