Summer Starts at Healthy Kids Day on April 18
YMCA of Greater Brandywine Invites All Members of the Community to Meet Local Vendors, Explore Summer Programs, and Save on Summer Fun
(Chester County, PA) – Get ready for free family-friendly fun on Saturday, April 18! The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) invites the community to celebrate Healthy Kids Day® from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at eight locations across Chester County. With sunny weather on the horizon, there’s no better time to get outdoors and get ready for summer.
Attendees can meet local first responders and family-friendly vendors, participate in a community food drive, enjoy activities, games, snacks, facepainting and inflatables, and preview the fun of Summer Camp at the Y. The Y will offer membership discounts and Summer Camp savings in celebration.
Select branches will host additional events in conjunction with Healthy Kids Day®. The Upper Main Line YMCA will host the Chester County Earth Day Festival in partnership with State Senator Carolyn Comitta and Shreiner Tree Care, The West Chester Area YMCA will host a kid-friendly triathlon, the Y-ath-lon, and the Jennersville YMCA will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new outdoor pickleball courts.
Local Impact with National Reach
Healthy Kids Day® is a free, annual event that is open to the public and is celebrated by YMCAs across the nation. 1,300 YMCAs across the United States will celebrate Healthy Kids Day® to encourage healthy kids, healthy families, and a healthy start to the summer season.
The event is sponsored nationally by Peanuts and Gatorade who share the Y’s commitment to supporting children, families and their communities in leading healthier, more active lives. Local supporters include Herr’s and Safeguard who believe in investing in community.
“Summer is an important time for children to stay active, connected, and supported – both physically and mentally,” said Terri Edgar, Chief Branch Operating Officer. “At YGBW, we believe strong communities start with healthy families, and we’re proud to bring neighbors together with resources and opportunities that help families thrive year-round.”
“We encourage families from across our community to join us on Saturday to celebrate Healthy Kids Day, learn simple ways to build healthy habits, and explore the many programs and summer adventures offered by the Y and vendors in our community.”
To amplify the impact of Healthy Kids Day® in Chester County, YGW is hosting a community food drive on April 18. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to boost the food supply of local resource pantries heading to the summer, a time when food insecurity reaches a peak as schools are on break. The Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn will also host a community bike collection drive to support Giving Bikes Back. Attendees are invited to donate new and gently used bikes to support their efforts of re-furbishing and re-distributing bikes back to local families.
Incorporating Summer Structure
As students across the area head into the final weeks of the school year, families are starting to think about how to make the most of summer break. With the change in routine, children may spend more time on screens and less time engaged in supervised activities – making it especially important to incorporate structured options that keep them active and connected throughout the summer.
YGBW offers a variety of engaging summer camps for children ages 3 to 15, with programs designed to suit different interests, abilities, and developmental stages. Camp options include Traditional Day Camp for the quintessential summer experience, Teen Camps created with older youth in mind, and Camp Bumblebee – an adaptive day camp thoughtfully designed to support children with disabilities and developmental delays.
YGBW also offers an exciting mix of Sports and Specialty Summer Camps for both younger children and teens. Sports camps feature activities like gymnastics, pickleball and sports samplers, while Specialty Camps invite kids to explore art, dance, theater, STEM, environmental education, Esports and more.
YGBW offers member-exclusive discounts and financial assistance so that every child the chance to learn, grow, make friends, and have a healthy summer at the Y.
About Healthy Kids Day: https://ymcagbw.org/healthy-kids-day-y
About YGBW Summer Camp: https://ymcagbw.org/summer-camps-ymca
About Financial Assistance for Summer Camp: https://ymcagbw.org/membership/financialassistance
About the YMCA of Greater Brandywine
The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW), an association of nine YMCAs and Program Centers serving nearly 112,000 people across Chester County, is a leading non-profit organization committed to building community. We strive to nurture the potential of every child, promote healthy living and foster social responsibility through life-changing programs for all. YGBW raises funds to provide financial assistance to those unable to pay the standard rates. In 2025, $2.8 million was awarded to ensure that all people have access to childcare, summer camp, programs and memberships at YGBW. To learn more, visit ymcagbw.org.