Special Programs

Activate America

Millions of Americans want to be healthy and active but struggle to do so. Americans often start exercising and eating nutritious meals, but quickly find themselves tempted and lacking motivation. YMCA Activate America is an innovative wellness initiative that is successfully making healthy living an attainable reality for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Silver Sneakers

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington has partnered with SilverSneakers to help older adults take greater control of their health and live happy, independent lives. SilverSneakers offers an innovative blend of physical activity, health education and social programs. In addition to SilverSneakers classes, members of SilverSneakers also receive a free basic membership to the YMCA, giving participants access to the Y's wellness centers and aquatics programming.

Military Outreach Initiative

The YMCA has partnered with the Department of Defense to address the needs of families' deployed military personnel who live far from a military installation and require access to child development, family strengthening and wellness programming. YMCAs across the United States, including here in the greater D.C. area region, are in a unique position to provide supportive and community-based programs for our military families.

Click here to learn more.

PHD (Physical, Healthy and Driven) - A Wellness Program for Kids

The YMCA's nationally renowned PHD (Physical, Healthy and Driven) program is teaching kids how to stay healthy for life. Using a unique combination of assessment tools, fun games and exercises, nutrition education, and family involvement, PHD is helping local children from ages 6-14 get active and be well. PHD was created by the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington to address one of our nation's most pressing health epidemics: childhood obesity. Since its launch in 2004, the program has grown to serve nearly 18,000 children every year.

Learn more about our PHD program.

Youth and Government

The YMCA DC Youth and Government program empowers youth to become ethical leaders and responsible citizens through training in the theory and practice of making public policy. Over the course of a school year, more than 180 student participants from across the city learn invaluable skills that they can use to improve their communities for years to come.

Click here to learn more about our Youth and Government Program.

Community Events

Healthy Kids Day

Each spring, the YMCA celebrates the child in you. YMCA branches throughout the United States open their doors to the public for a free, fun-filled day of activities designed to promote healthy living for kids and families.

Open Houses

Special days are set aside throughout the year when all of the branches of the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington open their doors to the public for health assessments, exercise and cooking demonstrations, giveaways, and a wealth of fun activities for people of all ages. Contact your local YMCA for upcoming open house dates.

Thingamajig Invention Convention

Each summer, the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington engages the minds of more than 3,000 children at its annual Thingamajig Invention Convention. Children use recycled materials to create inventions while learning about the importance of protecting the environment. Thingamajig is free and open to the public.

YOUR Special YMCA Event

Bring the Y experience to your birthday party or special celebration. Whether it's aquatics, sports, rock climbing or a more traditional event, our YMCA team can bring the Y experience to your celebration. Call your local branch and let our Y team help plan your special day.

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Wellness and Enrichment Programs