Category: Aquatics

What’s Happening at the YMCA This June & July

Posted on by Amber Fox

What’s Happening at the YMCA This June & July

Summer Camp, Swim Lessons, Family Fitness & More

Summer Starts at the Y

Summer is heating up at the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, and there’s something happening for every age, stage, and schedule. From summer camp and swim lessons to water safety, Les Mills launches, senior events, youth programs, and family fun, June and July are full of ways to stay active, connected, and part of the Y community.

Whether you’re looking for a safe place for your child to grow, a new class to try, a way to stay moving, or a reason to get the whole family out of the house, the Y is ready for you this summer.

Together, We’re Building a Stronger Y for All

At the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, legacy is built by the people who choose to show up for their community.

This year’s Breakfast of Champions for Youth was a powerful reminder that a legacy is not only what we leave behind. It is what we choose to build right now.

2026 Breakfast of Champions for Youth

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, guests, volunteers, and friends of the Y, the 2026 Breakfast of Champions for Youth has raised more than $115,000 so far for our Annual Support Campaign. Special thanks to our extraordinary Annual Support Legacy Partners in 2026: Dorothy M. Haas Charitable Fund and M&T Bank.

The incredible community support helps the Y continue showing up for children, families, teens, seniors, and neighbors across Berks County. It helps open doors to camp, child care, wellness programs, connection, mentorship, and support when people need it most.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s event meaningful, but the work continues. When you give to the Y, you help create a stronger, healthier, more connected community.

That is what it means to Live Your Y. Leave Your Legacy.

Want to see more from this year’s event? Read the full Breakfast of Champions for Youth recap and see how our community is turning generosity into lasting impact.

Read the Recap | Donate Today

LesMills Luau Launch Week at Sinking Spring Y

Get ready to bring the energy because LesMills Luau Launch Week is coming to the Sinking Spring YMCA! From July 20–27, members can catch brand-new LesMills releases, fresh music, new moves, and tropical launch-week fun during regularly scheduled LesMills classes.

Grab your Hawaiian shirt, jump into a class, and try something new. Each class brings a little extra island-style energy, so stop in when you can and celebrate launch week with your Y community.

Free for members and $13 for non-members – bring a friend!

There’s Still Time to Join the Fun at the Best Summer Camp in Berks

Summer camp is almost here, and there’s still time for kids to jump into a season full of fun, friendship, adventure, and confidence at the Y’s award-winning summer camp.

YMCA of Reading & Berks County’s award-winning summer day camp
Register Today

YMCA Summer Day Camp serves children from 5-12 years-old with full and half-day program options across Berks County. Camp runs June 8 through August 21. Campers will experience themed weeks, field trips, pool or water days, STEAM activities, outdoor games, creative projects, and plenty of screen-free time to just be a kid.

Every week gives campers something new to look forward to. Families can choose the weeks that work best for their summer schedule, but spots can fill quickly, so now is the time to register.

Summer Is Coming: Build Water Confidence with Swim Lessons at the Reading Y

Summer is around the corner, and we all know what that means: pool days, splash pads, vacations, and kids begging to be in the water every chance they get.

Swim lessons at the Reading YMCA help children build confidence, learn important water safety skills, and feel more comfortable in and around the pool. Whether your child is just getting started or ready to keep growing their skills, lessons are a great way to help them enjoy summer safely.

Give your child the chance to feel stronger, safer, and more confident in the water this season.

Sign Up for Swim Lessons Today

Plan Ahead for the 2026–27 School Year

School may feel far away, but fall schedules fill up fast. Start planning now for your family to explore YMCA early learning, Pre-K Counts, and before and after school care options for the 2026–27 school year.

Pre-K & Early Learning 

Give your child a strong start with YMCA early learning and Pre-K Counts programs. Our child care programs help children build confidence, routines, social skills, and school readiness in a safe, caring environment.

Apply Now

Before & After School Care

Make the school year easier with school age child care that gives kids a safe place to learn, play, and connect before and after the school day. Space can fill quickly, so families should plan ahead.

Register for the 2026–27 School Year

Family Movie Nights are back at the Y

free YMCA family movie night
RSVP for Movie Night

Family Movie Nights are back, giving families an easy, fun way to spend time together this summer.

June and July movies include

  • Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu on Friday, June 5 
  • Toy Story 5 on Friday, July 3.

Both movies begin at 6:30 PM at Reading Movies 11 & IMAX.

Seats are limited and registration is required at least 24 hours before each movie night. RSVP today to save your spot.

Headlines, Highlights, and Spotlights

Read our community spotlights, news, blogs, and stories that have been highlighted by media or recognized for local impact.

Ken Borkey Jr. Named President & CEO of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County has welcomed Ken Borkey Jr. as President & CEO. A longtime Y leader with nearly 15 years of service, Ken brings deep knowledge of our programs, staff, members, and community partnerships as he helps guide the Y into its next chapter.

Read the full announcement.

Reading YMCA swim team athletes celebrate historic wins at the YMCA National Championships.

Reading Y Swim Team Makes History at YMCA National Championships

Sixteen Reading Y athletes represented Berks County on a national stage, earning historic wins and showing what hard work, teamwork, and Y community support can make possible.

Read the full story.

Cazden smiling in the pool during swim lessons at the YMCA of Reading and Berks County

Mission Moments: Cazden’s Y

Cazden’s story is a powerful reminder that the Y is more than a place to swim, play, or work out. It is a place where families find support, connection, and community when they need it most.

Read Cazden’s Y story.

The Y is more than a gym; it’s your place to connect, grow, and belong. Stay close, stay active, and stay part of something bigger.

Find your connection. Find your Y.
Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin Youtube Tiktok Link

Table of Contents

Holiday Hours on July 4

Closed: Adamstown Y, Mifflin Y, Reading Y & Tri Valley Y

Open w/ Modified Hours: Sinking Spring Y open 7 AM – Noon | Group Fitness Pop-up Classes, No Child Watch

Savethe Date

6/2

Mifflin YMCA Senior Flip Flop Frenzy

6/17

Art Class w/ Allison 

7/20 - 7/27

LesMills Luau Week at Sinking Spring YMCA

7/22

Art Class w/ Allison 

Recent Posts

Follow Us

Y Mission Moment Stories:

Watch three unique stories of individuals who found hope, resilience and renewed purpose at our YMCA.

Sign up for our Newsletter

Reading Y Swim Team Makes History at YMCA National Championships​

Posted on Updated on by Chrissy Faller

Reading Y Swim Team Makes History at YMCA National Championships

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County Swim Team returned home from Greensboro, North Carolina with more than medals and records — they returned with a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are given the opportunity, support, and confidence to thrive.

Competing against some of the top YMCA swimmers in the country during five days of elite national competition, 16 dedicated Reading Y athletes delivered an unforgettable week of performances, achieving 10 best times in time trials and 29 best times in finals.

Beyond the numbers was something even more meaningful: growth, teamwork, resilience, and the pride of representing their community on a national stage.

A Historic Moment for the Reading Y

One of the biggest highlights came when swimmer Owen Eisenhofer captured 1st place in the 200 Free, becoming the Reading Y’s first-ever National Champion.

The very next day, the team celebrated a second National Championship victory in the 800 Free Relay, showcasing the strength, discipline, and camaraderie that define Reading Y Swimming. Relay team members Jack Martin, Charlie Rogers, Greyson DeMariano, and Owen Eisenhofer helped cement the Reading Y’s place among the nation’s best.

Reading Y Swim Team at National Championship 2026

Additional standout performances included:

  • Jack Martin placing in four national events, including 7th in the 200 Free and 10th in the 50 Free
  • Charlie Rogers earning a 12th-place finish in the 200 Free
  • Greyson DeMariano finishing 4th in the 1650 Free
  • Mia Parry placing 15th in the Individual Medley
  • Keagan Eisenhofer placing in both the 200 Breaststroke and 100 Breaststroke
  • Geno Falduts earning top-15 finishes in breaststroke events

The team also secured strong relay finishes, including 2nd place in the 400 Free Relay and 5th in the 200 Medley Relay. 

More Than Swimming

At the YMCA, success is never measured by medals alone. These athletes represent years of early mornings, long practices, encouragement from coaches and families, and a commitment to pushing themselves further than they thought possible. They also represent what the Y works to build every day: belonging, discipline, confidence, and opportunity.

For many swimmers, the pool becomes more than a place to compete. It becomes a second home — a community where young people learn how to overcome challenges, support one another, and discover their potential both in and out of the water. The impact reaches far beyond the lanes.

Building Stronger Futures Through the Y

Programs like competitive swimming at the YMCA help shape future leaders by teaching lifelong skills including teamwork, accountability, perseverance, and self-confidence. Whether a child dreams of competing nationally or simply wants to feel like they belong somewhere, the Y creates opportunities that change lives.

This year’s national championship performances are a celebration not only of athletic achievement, but of the coaches, families, supporters, and community members who help make those opportunities possible. And for the Reading Y Swim Team, the future is only getting brighter.

This is what belonging, discipline, and opportunity look like.

Mission Moments: Cazden’s Y

Posted on Updated on by Amber Fox

From Fear to Freedom: How the Y Helped Cazden Find Confidence in the Water and Beyond

Cazden smiling in the pool during swim lessons at the YMCA of Reading and Berks County

At first, the water felt bigger than he was.

For 10-year-old Cazden, even stepping into a pool once meant uncertainty. The deep end was out of the question. Going underwater? Unthinkable. Like many children on the autism spectrum, new environments and unfamiliar sensations can feel overwhelming, especially something as unpredictable as water.

But what made it even harder wasn’t just fear. It was access.

“There were places that didn’t want to work with him,” his mom, Lisa, shares quietly. “Sometimes with kids on the spectrum… people just don’t know how.”

Lisa is Cazden’s biological grandmother and the only one he calls mom. She has raised Cazden since birth and officially adopted him just before he turned two. 

She knows his strengths: his incredible intelligence, his attention to detail, his love of building intricate LEGO worlds filled with dinosaurs and space stations, and his imagination. She also knows his challenges including social hesitations, sensory sensitivities, and a tendency to keep to himself. She also knew how much Cazden loved the water. And loving the water without knowing how to swim? That’s not just a gap—it’s a risk. So Lisa started searching for lessons where he’d be accepted and comfortable. After a lot of phone calls and a few underwhelming experiences, she found the YMCA of Reading & Berks County. 

A Different Kind of Welcome 

From the very first conversation, things felt different. Instead of hesitation, there was openness. Instead of uncertainty, there was a plan. Lisa connected with Rebecca, a swim instructor who didn’t just teach strokes, she understood people and took the time to listen. They started with a one-on-one meeting and that’s where everything changed.

“Rebecca is amazing,” Lisa says. “She understands his personality. His quirks. She gives him space, but she knows how to reach him.” 

Having that balance of patience and encouragement along with structure and flexibility, created something Cazden hadn’t experienced before with new environments: comfort.

As luck would have it, Lisa also found inclusion and belonging from the women in the pool who would invite her to join them while her son was having his lessons. Everyone was welcoming.

Small Steps, Big Breakthroughs 

At the beginning, progress looked simple. Learning to float. Getting his face in the water. Trusting the feeling of letting go.

Over time, those small steps turned into something bigger. Cazden learned how to swim the length of the pool, then back again. Then, he started diving. Today, he’s doing twists and turns in the water like the kind you’d expect from a confident swimmer; not a child who once refused to go underwater. While his progress is fun to watch, the biggest transformation isn’t what you can see. It’s how he feels.

“His confidence… it’s completely different,” Lisa says. “Before, he wouldn’t even jump in. Now, he just goes.” 

That confidence doesn’t stay in the pool. It follows him everywhere.

Finding His Place 

Outside of the water, Cazden has always tended to keep to himself. He is more of a thinker, a builder, and an observer more than a social butterfly. Yet, with the confidence he gained in himself, Lisa noticed unexpected changes at the Y.

“In the water, he talks to everyone,” Lisa says, smiling. “He talks to the other kids. He even tries to help them.”

The same child who once stood on the sidelines is now being invited in by peers. 

Seeing this shift in anyone is rewarding, but for a parent of a child with autism the change is monumental. The transformation gives her a renewed confidence in Caden’s ability to live independently some day. For Lisa it was also a place of support for both of them where they didn’t feel isolated by people who didn’t understand. Instead they found connection among a community of people who welcomed and invited them to be included in activities at the pool. 

He feels safe, seen, and capable. That’s what the Y created for him.

More Than a Skill—A Life Change

For Lisa, swimming was always about more than recreation. “It’s a life skill,” she says. “I grew up learning how to swim. Everyone should have that.” She acknowledges that for Cazden, it’s also about freedom. 

Freedom to go on vacation and play in the pool without fear.
Freedom to say “yes” when other kids ask him to join.
Freedom to explore something he loves without limits.

And maybe, one day, freedom to chase his even bigger dream to be an astronaut when he grows up.

Why It Matters

There are many families like Lisa and Cazden who are searching for a place that says yes when others say no. The YMCA believes everyone deserves a place that welcomes, adapts, and encourages individuals to reach new goals. For youth development, the Y is also a place that believes in someone’s potential before it’s fully visible and gives you a safe space to try something new and find meaningful experiences. 

“They help anybody,” Lisa says as her voice catches. “Their doors are open to everyone. There were people who didn’t want to support my child… because of his autism.” 

At the Y, they weren’t turned away. Cazden was invited in and Lisa found a renewed sense of community and support. That’s why this matters.

An Invitation to Be Part of the Story

Cazden’s story is about swimming, and it’s also about confidence, belonging, and possibilities. These are each of the foundational building blocks that every child deserves. 

Supporting the YMCA makes funding programs possible, which in turn create moments like this:

A child jumping into the deep end for the first time.
A parent exhaling, knowing their child is safe.
A quiet kid finding his voice—and being heard.

That’s the impact and the legacy each of us leave when we support the Y’s mission.

Reading YMCA’s Swim Team Makes a Splash at 2025 National Championships

Posted on Updated on by Chrissy Faller
Swimming Championship, YMCA Nationals Logo

 

The swim team of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County proudly finished 23rd out of 95 teams at the 2025 YMCA National Long Course Championships held July 28 – August 3, 2025 in Ocala, Florida.

This strong team performance highlighted the dedication and talent of our swimmers on a national stage.

Representing the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, several standout athletes delivered impressive results.

Ava Knopsnyder scored a team-high 34 points, placing 9th in the 200 Free, 14th in the 400 Free, and 10th in the 200 IM. Jack Martin also made a strong showing, scoring 11 points and finishing 11th in the 50 Free.

Reading Y Swim Team at 2025 YMCA National Long Course Championships. Reading YMCA Swimmers Pictured (L-R):  Logan Sensenig, Ava Knopsnyder, Alexis Nonnemacher, Jack Martin, and Abigail Kissling

Reading YMCA Swimmers Pictured (L-R): Logan Sensenig, Ava Knopsnyder, Alexis Nonnemacher, Jack Martin, and Abigail Kissling

As the season concludes, we are thrilled to celebrate three of these five swimmers who will continue their academic and athletic journeys at the collegiate level this fall:

    • Abigail Kissling

    • Ava Knopsnyder, University of Nevada at Las Vegas

    • Jack Martin

    • Alexis Nonnemacher, West Chester University

    • Logan Sensenig, Mount Saint Mary’s University 

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County congratulates all our athletes for their hard work and commitment and looks forward to supporting them as they continue to pursue excellence in and out of the pool.

For more information about the YMCA National Long Course Championships, visit YMCA Swimming & Diving Nationals.

 

Reading YMCA Swim Team | YMCA of Reading & Berks County
Reading YMCA Swim Team in the pool warming up

About the YMCA of Reading & Berks County

For 167 years, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County has been a cornerstone in the community, putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Driven by its founding mission, the Y is a nonprofit committed to strengthening the community and empowering individuals by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections among 2,700 Ys in 10,000 communities across the United States. The YMCA of Reading & Berks County operates branches in Adamstown, Mifflin, Reading, Sinking Spring and Tri Valley.