Adventure really is out there every summer at the CCC YMCA. Each summer, 1000’s of our campers swim, hike, play games, make crafts, sing songs, and spend time outdoors. But something even more important is happening. Every adventure, every activity is another opportunity to learn (but shhhh, we hide it very well!)

Many educators talk about "summer learning loss", the idea that children can lose some of the academic progress they made during the school year if they aren't engaged over the summer. While school takes a well-earned break, learning shouldn't. That's why our summer camps are intentionally designed to keep kids growing. It might look like building a bridge out of pool noodles, discovering wildlife on a nature hike, reading directions for a science experiment, or working together to solve a challenge but make no mistake, learning is happening every day.

Wrapped up in all that fun are the important life skills kids gain. Summer camp teaches resilience when things don't go

as planned. It builds confidence as campers try something new (ever see the smile on a kid who has passed their swim test?). It encourages teamwork, curiosity, problem-solving, and leadership. Those lessons don't disappear when camp ends. They walk right back into the classroom with every child in the fall.

At the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, we believe summer should be filled with laughter, friendships, and unforgettable memories. We also believe it should prepare kids for what comes next. Our goal has never been simply to keep them busy until school starts again. Our goal is to help them return to school excited, confident, and ready for the next adventure. Because when children spend the summer exploring, discovering, and growing, they don't just avoid summer learning loss—they gain something even more valuable: a lifelong love of learning.

-Tim Bartlett, CCC YMCA President & CEO

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, YMCAs across the country came together for Campfires Across America, a nationwide celebration centered on connection, reflection, and belonging. Whether gathered around a traditional outdoor campfire or a symbolic fire indoors, YMCAs created opportunities for people to come together and celebrate the meaningful moments that happen in community.

At the Stratford YMCA, campers and counselors gathered around the fire for an evening filled with toasted marshmallows, delicious s’mores, laughter, and smiling faces. The simple moments of sharing stories, enjoying treats, and spending time with friends created lasting memories for campers and counselors alike.

For generations, campfires have served as places where stories are shared, friendships are formed, differences fade, and everyone has a place around the circle. The YMCA has been creating these moments of connection and belonging for more than a century.

Campfires Across America highlighted that a campfire is about much more than the flames-it is about what happens around it. Across the country, YMCAs celebrated the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels welcome.

The Stratford YMCA’s celebration was a wonderful example of that spirit in action. Through laughter, friendship, s’mores, and shared experiences, campers and counselors demonstrated what the YMCA is all about: building connections, creating memories, and strengthening community for a better us.

Ed Soderberg has been a Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer at the Lakewood-Trumbull Y since October of 2001. An avid runner and overall fitness enthusiast, Ed has visited Ys all over the country, and run in dozen of races all over the US. He has been in the Nutmeg Games, the State Games of America and the Senior Games. He loves to come back and share his pile of medals with us each time.

Ed has been known to entertain his classes performing as Elvis and others. He loves to sing along to the music! But in July, we serenaded Ed for his 90th birthday!!! We look forward to many more years of E’s classes.

This August, Alpha Community Services YMCA is hosting it's A Pair to Spare Community Clothing Drive to support neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Access to clean clothing and basic hygiene supplies is about more than comfort. Fresh socks, underwear, and clothing can help support personal hygiene, prevent skin irritation, and restore a sense of dignity and confidence. Hygiene essentials such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, and toothbrushes also play an important role in maintaining health and well-being.

From August 10 through August 31, the community is invited to donate new and gently used clothing, including:

Donations can be dropped off at:

Alpha Community Services YMCA, 650 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604.

Prefer to shop online? Donations can also be made through our Amazon Wishlist.

A simple donation can provide comfort, dignity, and a meaningful reminder that our neighbors are supported by their community.

The Preschool 2 classroom at the Valley YMCA Child Care Center recently got a hands-on introduction to the fascinating world of bees during a special visit from a local beekeeper.

The children explored a traveling beehive, learned how honey is made, and discovered the important jobs of queen, worker, and drone bees. They even had the chance to gently hold a drone bee, try on a beekeeper’s veil, search for the queen, and taste fresh honey!

This exciting experience brought science to life and sparked curiosity, exploration, and environmental awareness. Through hands-on learning, the children discovered that bees play an essential role in pollinating plants and supporting the health of our environment.

It was a sweet day of learning, discovery, and plenty of buzz!

Learning through fun and hands-on exploration is at the heart of the YMCA’s camp STEM program. Campers stepped into the roles of engineers, inventors, and problem-solvers as they tackled a variety of creative challenges.

Using cups, balloons, and ping pong balls, campers designed and tested their own shooters while exploring the concepts of force and velocity. They also worked together to build the tallest tower possible using only index cards before taking on the classic marshmallow-and-spaghetti tower challenge.

Each activity encouraged creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and perseverance while bringing science and engineering to life. Most importantly, campers discovered that testing ideas, learning from mistakes, and trying again are all part of the fun of being an engineer

For Sofia Rastelli, the YMCA has been more than a place to swim. It has been a community, a source of support, and a place where she has learned the importance of giving back.

A recent graduate of Daniel Hand High School, Sofia recently completed her final season with the Soundview YMCA Stingrays swim team and concluded her term as chair of Soundview’s Youth Board. Since becoming a Soundview member in 2018 after moving to Connecticut, she has consistently looked for ways to serve the community that has become such an important part of her life.

Sofia’s commitment to the YMCA is rooted in her family’s values and in the support her family received from the Y. When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, the YMCA supported the family and introduced them to LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a cancer survivorship program designed to help people regain strength and confidence.

That experience inspired Sofia to give back. She has volunteered at Soundview’s drowning prevention clinic and supported countless aquatic events, including Mini-Stingray Mock Meets, the 12 & Under Holiday Party, and the first annual Masters Meet. Through her involvement, Sofia hopes to set a positive example for the younger Stingrays who look up to her.

Sofia also played an important role in helping create Soundview’s Junior Board, the first Youth Board in the association. As chair, she helped establish a strong culture of service while representing the Youth Board at community and fundraising events, including the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and Trunk or Treat.

The YMCA has also supported Sofia’s accomplishments beyond volunteering. Soundview provided pool space for “Pink or Swim,” a charity swim meet she organized that raised more than $2,000 for breast cancer research. When her high school team’s pool was unavailable, the Y provided practice space, helping the team achieve two Class S state runner-up finishes. The YMCA also supported Sofia’s career by paying for her lifeguard certification and later hiring her as a swim instructor.

From spending hours doing homework in the Y lobby to leading fellow young volunteers, Sofia has grown up surrounded by the people and programs of the YMCA. Her story is a powerful example of how a young person can be supported by a community, then turn around and become a leader within that same community.

Sofia’s journey shows that when young people are given opportunities to lead, serve, and make a difference, they can truly make waves.

Sofia will be swimming for Yale in the fall.

Tees for Tomorrow: 20th Annual Golf Tournament

The Soundview Family YMCA invites the community to its 20th Annual Golf Tournament, supporting programs that help youth, adults, families, and seniors thrive.

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Lyman Orchards Golf Club - 70 Lyman Road, Middlefield, CT

Schedule:

9:00 AM | Registration & Breakfast

10:30 AM | Shotgun Start

3:00 PM | Reception, Auction, Raffle & Awards

Join the Y for a great day on the course while helping build a stronger community for all!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT COAST YMCA 

1240 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06511

P: 203-777-9622 W: http://cccymca.org