Keeping Summer Fun with the Ashland Area YMCA

Keeping Summer Fun

with the Ashland Area YMCA

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

From the beginning in 1844, the Young Men’s Christian Association has been committed to helping communities stay active and healthy by providing programs and outlets for youth. Entering the 1900s, the YMCA expanded from housing and recreational support to providing physical education and sports affiliations such as basketball, volleyball, bodybuilding, and even camping retreats. As the expansion of the YMCA continued through the early 1900s, international development began providing a network of opportunities to young members everywhere.

Continuing the tradition into 2026, the Ashland Area YMCA is focusing on guiding youth toward healthy activities and a fun-filled summer. Grab those gym bags and get moving! Starting in June, the Ashland Area YMCA Co-Ed Youth Summer Basketball League is scheduled to hone basketball skills and keep kids moving in the right direction. Divisions have been outlined and are grouped according to age and grade: 1st and 2nd grade, 3rd and 4th grade, 5th and 6th grade, and 7th and 8th grade. These are the four divisions applicants can register for this year. All team members will travel to compete with other teams and work with a developmental team to further their core skills and understanding of the sport. Anyone in grades 1–8 is encouraged to sign up, and the YMCA Youth Basketball League is open to both boys and girls. Pricing for youth basketball membership is $45 for YMCA members and $65 for non-members. Games will be held on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer.

Want to help teach the world of basketball to our area’s upcoming youth basketball stars? Now may be the chance to show off your skills and pass along a generation of knowledge in the sport you grew up with. Volunteer coaching positions are available this year for both head and assistant coaches and can be registered for at the front desk of the Ashland Area YMCA. Forms for both membership and volunteering are available at the front desk. Parents and relatives are great candidates for volunteer coaching and can easily sign up with their family member’s registration.

Registration doesn’t end with basketball, as the YMCA has an entire summer of sports-filled possibilities penciled in for this year’s calendar. Along with basketball, youth volleyball, T-ball, and soccer are set for registration throughout the year. Registration for youth basketball runs through the month of May, with games beginning in June. A second registration period for youth basketball will take place in July, with games beginning in August and carrying the season into the new school year. August will also begin soccer and volleyball registration as everyone shifts into another school year. There are five to six games total throughout the summer sports season with the YMCA, and games will be held on weekends according to scheduling. Games will take place at Central Park, AK Sports Park, and in the youth gym at the Ashland YMCA. All sports programs have the same registration prices and are available for both boys and girls.

This year, the Ashland Area YMCA has something fun planned for all the golfers in the area. The 6th Annual Fore the Kids event is set for Friday, June 26, at the Bellefonte Country Club, located at 208 Country Club Dr. in Ashland, Kentucky. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the shotgun start will kick things off at 9 a.m. Team Fastrax and the American Skydiving Team will be present as they parachute onto the fairway of Hole #1 carrying the American flag. A continental breakfast and lunch are included as part of the event. Sponsorship pricing is $880 for a four-person team and hole sponsorship, or $600 for a four-person team only. Veteran recognition and an honor service will take place during the event to show support for and honor our service members. Any additional information can be obtained from Tracy Hillman at 606-923-6508 or tnhcpa@gdhco.com, or from Scott Campbell at 606-571-4365 or scampbell@ashlandareaymca.org. Registration forms should be returned to the Ashland Area YMCA, located at 3232 Megan Neyer Way, Ashland, Kentucky. The YMCA can also be contacted by calling 606.324.6191.

If you’re excited for summer and would like to hit the court, field, or course, then the Ashland Area YMCA is the place to be. Open seven days a week — Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. — every day holds the possibility for fun and learning. Registration is only an email or phone call away and could be the beginning of something awesome that continues every summer break. Everyone’s invited!