child development – YMCA of Reading & Berks County

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.

“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.

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.

“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]).

You’re Not the Only One Wondering If Camp Is Worth It

If you’re staring at a dozen browser tabs titled “Best summer camp near me” or “Affordable day camps for kids,” know this: you’re not alone. Every summer, parents across Berks County hit the same wall of anxiety, questions, and decision fatigue. You want your child to be safe, engaged, and growing, but without taking out a second mortgage.

Does This Sound Like Your Summer Reality?

Between work schedules, rising costs, and endless kid energy, summer can feel less like a break and more like a puzzle you can’t quite solve. You may be wondering: Will they be safe? Will they make friends? Will it be worth the cost? And most of all, will they love it?

The YMCA gets it. That’s why we’ve designed our Summer Day Camp & Playground programs to support real families like yours with programming that’s safe, affordable, and full of unforgettable fun.

Why Families Are Choosing the Y This Summer

Here are some of the top reasons YMCA Summer Camp might be exactly what you need:

1. Safety First: 

Certified staff, low camper-to-staff ratios, and secure facilities give parents peace of mind from the moment of drop-off.

2. All-Inclusive Pricing:

One weekly camp rate covers transportation and entry to weekly field trips and pool trips, camp activities and supplies, and a full day of care. Upon enrollment, there is a one-time registration fee for the summer and a weekly cost for camp that covers everything else. No hidden surprises!

3. Theme Weeks:

From music and gameshow fest to science explorers to nature’s wonders, every week brings something new and exciting for kids to look forward to. We want to keep them busy and curious all summer long.

4. Wrap-Around Care:

Our early morning and late afternoon options provide the flexibility working parents need to make camp work for their schedules.

5. Accessible for All:

Through financial assistance and scholarships, we make camp possible for more families in our community.

6. Built-in Social Growth: 

Camp helps kids build confidence, learn cooperation, practice social skills, and make lifelong friendships through shared games and group play.

7. Screen-Free Fun:

 Y camp means a variety of activities like enjoying arts and crafts, playing games and sports, and swimming and exploring new interests. This means no screens, just hands-on experiences and real-world connections. They stay sharp all summer long through STEAM activities including the Y camp challenge of the summer: the Can Structure Challenge! Each branch submits one can structure, built collectively by all the campers at that location.

8. Trusted Legacy:

The YMCA has been serving children and families in Berks County since 1858. That legacy of care, support, and community is part of every camp day.

9. Parent Communication: 

 We make it easy to stay informed. You’ll get updates and photos and have a direct line of communication with our camp team with the Class Dojo app.

10. It Feels Like Home: 

The biggest thing parents say? “My kid felt safe and seen.” Our staff teaches through example the critical core values, including respect, honesty, responsibility, and caring, that we encourage them to practice at home too.

All 10 reasons above connect back to one goal: making summer easier, safer, and more joyful for families. It’s not just camp. It’s a community.

Ready to Learn More?

Visit ymcarbc.org/summer-day-camp to explore programs, scholarships, and registration options, or call us. We’re here to help.

FAQs from Families Like Yours

What age is the YMCA summer camp for?

Camp serves children entering grades 1 through 6 (or ages 6-12) in full-day summer camps at each of our branches and half-day playground programs throughout Berks County at partnering parks. Generally speaking, if kids enjoy our summer camps, they’ll do well in our Before & After-school and School’s Out programs we offer throughout the school year.

What if I can't afford the full cost?

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County has options for financial assistance, scholarships, and flexible payments so we can be affordable and accessible to give all kids fun and opportunity. Don’t rule us out before talking to us.

Tag: child development

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