Many people see the YMCA simply as a building where kids can get together after school and hang out.� However, the YMCA has grown to be and mean so much more.

A Brief History

The Young Men’s Christian Association (aka YMCA or “the Y”) was founded on June 6, 1844 in London, England by a young man named George Williams, who was dedicated to putting Christian principles into practice.� At that time, young men who came to London for work were often living in squalor, and the YMCA provided them a clean, safe place to go and study as well as meet other people.

The first YMCA in the United States was founded by Captain Thomas Valentine Sullivan, an American seaman and missionary, and was opened on December 29, 1851 in Boston, Massachusetts.� The facility provided a “home away from home” for young sailors who were on shore leave.� Over the years, the YMCA evolved from simply being a place of spiritual and mental study into establishing branched out divisions to satisfy the� needs of local neighborhoods.� It charged annual membership fees and began to offer day camps for boys and later girls which included activities (i.e. sports and fitness, arts and crafts, camping, hiking, etc.) that focused around building strong families.

The first YMCA in the Triangle area of North Carolina was founded in 1857 but disbanded before becoming a permanent part of Raleigh in 1911.� By the mid 1900s, major changes were taking place within the YMCA.� The organization acquired 300 acres of land in Pamlico County, NC for the site Camp Sea Gull, a new boys’ resident camp that opened up in 1948 and focused on seamanship. Later, in 1961, Camp Seafarer, a camp for girls, was founded.

Years later, in 2002, The Capital Area YMCA merged with the YMCA of Greater Durham to form the YMCA of the Triangle, which currently has 15 branches and wellness centers in Wake, Durham, Johnston, Lee and Pamlico counties.

YMCAs in the Triangle Today

YMCAs in the Triangle area of North Carolina have been providing facilities, programs and services for approximately 150 years that build healthy spirits, minds and bodies for people of all ages.� Contrary to popular belief, YMCA activities aren’t just confined to the building; but rather,� they extend outward to include schools, churches, community centers and parks (to name a few places).

The YMCAs of the Triangle serve thousands of men, women and children each day through various after school programs, adult and family fitness, teen programs and leadership, parent/child programs, youth service projects, swimming lessons, sports programs and senior adult programs. Given the past success of the YMCAs of the Triangle, there is no doubt that it will continue to see success in the future.

The Kraft Family YMCA Joins the Triangle Family

The Kraft Family YMCA was established in 2000 and is the latest addition to the YMCAs of the Triangle. It serves youth, adults and seniors in the southwest Wake County area, including the following towns of: Apex, Holly Springs and Fuquay Varina.� For fitness schedules, membership, outreach programs or other programs that this particular YMCA offers, feel free to visit their web site.

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