Youth fundraise nearly $5,000 to send more kids to YMCA summer camp
Jul 01, 2026
DELAWARE, Ohio – More than 450 participants, volunteers and supporters came together for the YMCA of Central Ohio's annual Youth Development Dodgeball Fundraiser, raising nearly $5,000 to help more children experience the life-changing impact of summer camp.
36 teams gathered, representing Olentangy Local School District, Big Walnut Local School District, Buckeye Valley Local Schools and Delaware City Schools for a day of friendly competition, community spirit and philanthropy.
Proceeds from the fundraiser support the YMCA's 2026 Annual Campaign, specifically financial aid that ensures money isn’t a barrier to children experiencing the growth and development that comes from summer camp, especially during critical out-of-school months.
"The dodgeball tournament fundraiser is always a blast," says Zach Page, Regional Director of School Age Child Care for the YMCA of Central Ohio. "But one of the coolest moments for me was seeing former Y-Club students walk back through the doors to volunteer. These are students who grew up in our programs, and now they're choosing to spend their time helping create those same experiences for younger kids and raising money to open doors for more families.”
“That's the kind of trajectory we hope to develop in kids, where they come back, not because they have to, but because they want to give back to the community that invested in them."
Multiple former Y-Club participants who once attended YMCA before and after school programs returned years later to volunteer to help run the fundraiser. Their involvement reflects a pattern YMCA staff see throughout the organization. Former campers return as counselors. Teen leaders mentor younger students. Y-Club alumni come back to support extended learning and serve as role models for the next generation.
While the event raised nearly $5,000 in a single day, it represents one piece of a larger campaign. Last year alone, the YMCA of Central Ohio provided more than $1.4 million in financial assistance, helping children and families access membership, child care, camps, youth sports, swim lessons and other essential programs regardless of their ability to pay. The YMCA serves more than 43,000 children annually across Central Ohio through youth development programs designed to help every child reach their full potential, starting as young as six weeks old.
As the largest child care provider in the region, the YMCA partners with 14 school districts to deliver before and after school care, summer learning and leadership development that extend well beyond the classroom. This school year marked the first year of the YMCA's partnership with Delaware City Schools, expanding access to high-quality school-age child care for local families.
The YMCA of Central Ohio serves more than 240,000 people annually through its pillars of Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility, strengthening the community through access to child care, health and housing.
About the YMCA of Central Ohio
For more than 170 years, the YMCA of Central Ohio has served as the heartbeat of the community. The YMCA of Central Ohio envisions strong communities where all people reach their full potential. The organization is dedicated to programs that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Serving over 240,000 individuals across Central Ohio, the YMCA provides a holistic and wide range of services, including housing support, childcare, fitness programs, and more, impacting five generations daily. To learn more about the Y’s efforts in nurturing the full potential of all youth, please visit: https://ymcacolumbus.org/youth-development
Contact
Connor Kurek
765-730-7617
connor.kurek@ymcacolumbus.org