By Chris Jefferson
The third weekend of August, 2026 was an incredible reminder of what is possible when we come together to make a difference for young people.
Across two very different փորձառություններ, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles created opportunities for hundreds of children and teens to play, lead, connect, and belong.
This past weekend, more than 200 teenaged Youth & Government Officers from every center and teens from our Teen Taskforce Leadership Council gathered at YMCA Camp Surf for their annual Officers Retreat. These young leaders spent the weekend building relationships, strengthening their leadership skills, and preparing to lead their peers throughout the upcoming Youth & Government program year. They reflected on the kind of leaders they want to become and the influence they can have in their schools, communities, and beyond. Along with meaningful workshops, bonding activities, personal connections, dance parties, and opportunities to be themselves and have fun.
“I’ve made so many friends, and I’ve really just become who I am as a person, someone who wants to make the world a better place. I just really just started to love life because of the YMCA [Y&G] program.“
-YMCA Youth & Government Delegate
“Now as a senior, throughout my sophomore and junior years, I really just like got more comfortable speaking in front of people, whether that be in my delegation or in the statewide conferences. So what the Y really means to me is just another place outside of school where you can kind of be yourself and express your feelings and your beliefs and find who you are.”
-YMCA Youth & Government Delegate
“The YMCA has also expanded as the years have gone by and we have been able to support with swimming and support with other programs with even the seniors. It’s great to see how the individuals that start at a young age can morph and go into other groups and continue to be involved and truly bring that family spirit.”
-YMCA Youth & Government Delegate Advisor
A special thank you to Edison International for supporting this year’s Camp Surf with their generous donation of $50,000 and to our Teen Directors and Teen Coordinators, who continue to make it happen for young people in Los Angeles.
On Sunday, August 23rd, we welcomed over 1,000 registered youth and their families to Pasadena City College for our YMCA NFL FLAG Kickoff, in partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, RCX Sports, Toyota, Pasadena City College, և NFL FLAG. Families filled the field for a morning of football, fun, community, and connection as we officially kicked off the next chapter of youth flag football at the LA Y. For the NFL Flag program, we served over 800 kids nutritious snacks through our FeedLA program.
We are also joined by the LA Kings և LA Clippers; bringing sports full circle for our community. On Thursday, August 26th, over 1,000 YMCA families will be attending the LA Chargers vs LA Rams Football Game at SoFi Stadium, which will be a first-time experience for hundreds of YMCA kids and families.
On Saturday, our Երիտասարդության զարգացում Sport Directors traveled to San Diego to teach MLC Officers how to be flag football referees (YMCA S.T.R.I.P.E.S. Program). Those same Sports Directors then turned around and showed up at 7:30 AM the next day for the NFL Flag Kickoff, joined by our Aquatics Department lifeguards, who kept everyone safe. Thanks to our Սոցիալական ազդեցություն Department, every child was fed healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. And, thanks to our partners like the LA Rams, LA Chargers and RCX Sports, families can take a Առողջ ապրելակերպ pathway to belonging, as our Fall II season of NFL Flag will be free to YMCA Family Members. Our framework only lives because of integration.
Events of this size do not happen because of one department or one person. They happen because people (team members, volunteers, kids, families) across our Association step-up, collaborate, problem solve, welcome families, mentor young people, move equipment, answer questions, build partnerships, and do the countless things behind the scenes that make extraordinary փորձառություններ possible.
One day, we are helping teens discover their voice and leadership. The next, we are giving kids the opportunity to run onto a football field, try something new, build confidence, and feel like they are part of a team. Different programs. Different ages. Different փորձառություններ. One YMCA and one commitment to helping every young person know that they belong here. A positive YMCA experience, for all.
Thank you to every staff member, volunteer, partner, and leader who helped make this weekend possible. Your work matters, and our young people feel the impact of it.
This was a great weekend for the LA Y, and an even better weekend for the kids and teens we have the privilege to serve.
To learn more about our programing for children and teens, visit our youth programming page այստեղ.
