Category: Media News

Healthy Kids Day 2026 & Kids Color Run Offers Families Activities to Kickoff Spring 

Posted on by Amber Fox

Healthy Kids Day is a free family-friendly rain or shine event offered by the partnership between YMCA of Reading & Berks County and Berks County Parks & Recreation

Reading, Pa., April 10, 2026

On Saturday, April 25, 2025, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County and Berks County Parks & Recreation are co-hosting Healthy Kids Day & Color Fun Run at Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Reading, PA 19605 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Healthy Kids Day 2026

“We’re excited to get people outdoors and finally out of winter hibernation! Healthy Kids Day will be a great time and will give families a chance to see and try new things that might interest them to stay physically active or mentally engaged over the summer,”

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

Healthy Kids Day is a family-friendly day outdoors and features a variety of engaging activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families, and a healthy start to the summer season. This rain or shine event is open to the public. Admission is free; some booths and food vendors will have items for sale; families are encouraged, but not required, to bring cash/cards for any purchases.

Schedule of Kids Color Run & Featured Fun

  • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m Activities and food trucks
  • 11 a.m. – Noon Color Fun Run Check-in & T-shirt pickup
  • Noon – 12:30 p.m. Color Fun Run (aged 12 & under)

The Color Fun Run is the ultimate experience as runners “race” to the finish line and are showered with colors by those cheering on the sidelines. Registration is $5 per child for the run and a white Healthy Kids Day T-shirt (while supplies last). All proceeds benefit the Y’s Open Door Scholarship Funds, which helps kids and families benefit from the Y’s programs and memberships regardless of their ability to pay.

Featured activities at the event include basketball and gaga ball inflatables, games and activities. Also back by popular demand, Nolt’s Chicken BBQ meals can be pre-ordered online by 4/14 to be available for pickup at the event. Each meal is $16 and includes a chicken half, baked potato, applesauce, dinner roll, and a drink.

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County will display:

  • Spin Art Bicycle – Spin up your latest work of art with some extra muscle.
  • Yoga and/or fitness class demonstrations for anyone to join in.
  • Have information on programs
  • Summer Camp Sneak Peak – Get a flavor for this year’s Summer Day Camp and Playground programs with this year’s weekly themes, swim/water days, and exceptional field trips in Berks and beyond. Register on the spot or learn more about the Summer Camp Open House dates.
  • Parenting Pathways program – Learn about the free classes and resources we have for parents, caregivers, and guardians to give their children a successful start on life and learning.
  • Preschool & Free Pre-K Counts –YMCA Early Learning Centers will have activities for budding preschoolers. Families can register for preschool at our Fleetwood and Reading ELCs as well as Pre-K Counts (Reading Y) and learn more about how the Y nurtures and motivates learning and prepares students to thrive.
Children making tie-dye t-shirts at Healthy Kids Day

Berks County Parks & Recreation will feature:

  • Kite Building Station – children will be supplied with the tools and direction to design their own kites and fly them.
  • Face painting for kids – no fair is complete without it.
Children having fun in the Kids Color Run at Healthy Kids Day

“We love this time of year to be outdoors in our parks and to help Berks residents re-discover the beautiful places to visit this spring and summer! With all the local organizations with booths, we have activities to interest the kids – without their smart devices! We’re looking forward to making more memories this year,”

Lisa Gauker, Recreation & Special Events Supervisor, Berks County Parks & Recreation

Other vendors include the following local businesses with giveaways and demonstrations: Berks County Park Rangers, Berks County Sheriff’s Department, Berks County Public Libraries, Yocum Institute for Arts Education, Wyomissing Walmart Vision Center, Golden Home Health Care, Strive Physical Therapy, Berks Technical Institute and more.

Local businesses are invited to set up a table and activities to showcase their offerings, engage with Berks families, and contribute to the festive atmosphere of the day for free. Participation is free, but all vendors must register at www.YMCArbc.org/hkd. 

For more information or to register for the event, please visit www.ymcarbc.org or contact Brandon Shurr ([email protected]).

Ken Borkey, Jr. Appointed New CEO of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County

Posted on by Chrissy Faller

YMCA of Reading & Berks County Appoints Ken Borkey, Jr. as President and CEO

Reading, Pa., March 13, 2026 – YMCA of Reading & Berks County announced the appointment of Ken Borkey, Jr. as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), promoting the longtime YMCA leader who has served the organization for nearly 15 years. Borkey will succeed Phillip Borup, who has served the Y for more than three years leading the organization.

With nearly 15 years of service to the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, Borkey has held several leadership roles during his tenure, most recently overseeing operations as chief operating officer (COO). His long-standing commitment to the YMCA’s mission and deep knowledge of its programs, staff, and community partnerships position him well to guide the organization forward.

“Ken’s dedication to the YMCA and the people we serve has been evident throughout his career,” said James Michalak, Chair of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County Board of Directors. “His leadership, institutional knowledge, and unwavering passion for strengthening our community make him the right person to lead the Y into its next chapter.”

“The Board of Directors is grateful for Phillip’s leadership and service during his tenure,” said Michalak. “We appreciate his contributions in developing leadership for Y staff to advance the mission of the YMCA.” Borup joined the YMCA of Reading & Berks County in 2022 and helped guide the organization through a period of operational growth and strategic initiatives, including unifying multiple locations under one brand, to strengthen programs, accessibility, and membership.  

“It is truly an honor to step into the role of CEO for the YMCA of Reading & Berks County,” said Borkey. “The Y has always been more than an organization to me; it’s a community that builds confidence, connection, and opportunity for people across Berks County. I’m excited to continue working alongside our incredible staff, volunteers, and members to grow programs that positively impact lives every day.”

About the YMCA of Reading & Berks County

For 167 years, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County has strengthened our local community through putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice with programs that builds healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. 

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County operates five branches in Adamstown, Mifflin, Reading, Sinking Spring and Tri Valley; two Early Learning Centers in Reading and Richmond; and seven transitional housing programs for residential care at the Reading Y and Camp Joy locations.

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 strives 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. 

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

Recent News

Y-USA Awards Grant to Expand Pickleball, Renovate Racquet Sports Wing at Sinking Spring YMCA- Open House Jan. 9th

Posted on Updated on by Chrissy Faller

YMCA of Reading & Berks County Awarded Y-USA Grant to Expand Pickleball and Renovate Racquet Sports Wing at Sinking Spring YMCA

Community is invited January 9th to learn, play, and get involved.


December 22, 2025, Reading, Pa. — The YMCA of Reading & Berks County has been awarded a capital grant from YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) to support the expansion and improvement of its pickleball program at the Sinking Spring YMCA in response to a growing community demand. The investment will allow the Y to create a dedicated racquet sports wing through the addition of a hybrid court comprised of one tennis court and four pickleball courts.

Pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the country as interest continues to rise locally as does tennis. 

At the Sinking Spring YMCA, court time and programs are consistently full, with players of all ages seeking more opportunities to play, learn, and connect. Expanding capacity will help reduce wait times, support additional leagues and events, and create more access for new and returning players.

“This expansion will be a game-changer for accommodating our avid, competitive pickleball players and newcomers learning or improving their game,” said Jesse Whiteman, branch executive director for Sinking Spring YMCA, Sinking Spring, Pa. “It also gives us the launchpad for making additional capital improvements we need.”

Building Renovations to Enhance the Y Experience

Sinking Spring YMCA will move the speed and agility training area, which is currently located where an additional “hybrid” court will be built. The hybrid court will be outfitted with a tennis court and four pickleball courts.

Planned improvements will focus on increasing the number of playable courts and upgrading court spaces to improve play, accessibility and overall experience. The expansion will benefit both pickleball and tennis participants and allow the Y to better serve a wide range of skill levels, from beginners to experienced players.

Upon completion, the Sinking Spring Y will have a total of four tennis courts and 10 pickleball courts designed to provide a professional-level environment for both sports. The equipment upgrades and improvements planned for all existing and new courts include:

  • Adding an additional tennis court which doubles as four pickleball courts.
  • New sturdy, portable nets for the pickleball courts.
  • New curtains and new benches for all courts.

As part of the grant agreement, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County will launch a fundraising effort to match the Y-USA investment and to improve the facility. Additional details about the campaign will be shared in the coming months as planning continues and renovation costs are finalized.

Open House & Racquet Sports Membership Night: Friday January 9, 2026

To celebrate the growing racquet sports community and invite the public to get involved, the YMCA will host an Open House & Racquet Sports Membership Night on Friday, January 9 from 5- 9 p.m. at the Sinking Spring YMCA. “Our open house is a perfect chance for people to try something new, meet our team, and see what’s coming for racquet sports at the Y,” said Whiteman.

The Member Night is open to anyone interested in learning to play pickleball and for junior tennis players ages 11-18 interested in improving their skills. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet staff, connect with other players, enjoy light refreshments, and take part in open play pickleball and tennis throughout the evening. Information about racquet sports programs for the second half of the season, running January through March, will be available, and discounted registrations will be offered during the event.

More information about the Y’s Open House Racquet Sports Member Night and its programs can be found at ymcarbc.org/racquet-sports.

“Pickleball is bringing people together across generations,” said Phillip Borup, president and CEO, YMCA of Reading & Berks County. “This grant from Y‑USA will let us grow that connection—more courts and better amenities mean more opportunities for families, seniors, youth and everyone in between to be active, social and healthy.” This expansion is another step toward creating inclusive spaces that support physical activity, social connection, and lifelong wellness.

About the YMCA of Reading & Berks County

For 167 years, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County has strengthened our local community through putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice with programs that builds healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The YMCA of Reading & Berks County operates five branches in Adamstown, Mifflin, Reading, Sinking Spring and Tri Valley; two Early Learning Centers in Reading and Richmond; and seven transitional housing programs for residential care at the Reading Y and Camp Joy locations.

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 strives 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.