Community Development

Our favorite takeaways and lessons learned from the 2025 Community Rec Magazine cover stories. Another year is now over, and it’s time to look back...

Judi Christy, the director of marketing/communication at the Akron Area YMCA, details lessons she’s learned on the power of volunteering in community rec. The first time...

Community recreation centers and organizations are reimagining playgrounds as spaces for fun and essential community assets that promote inclusion, health, exploration and creativity. As playground...

Running a youth sports league is about much more than scheduling games and handing out uniforms — it’s about creating an environment where players, parents,...

When most people think of camp, they imagine summer days filled with sunshine, sports and friendships, but camp programs don’t need to be limited to...

To meet the needs of its community, the Hanover Area YMCA in Hanover, Pennsylvania, recently opened a new dog park for furry friends and their...

Youth sports is a powerful tool for building character, promoting physical health and teaching valuable life skills. However, for children to truly benefit from their...

On October 11-12, teens from across North Carolina came together at YMCA of Greensboro Camp Weaver to launch the YMCA's inaugural NC State Teen Mental Health...

In episode 23 of the Community Magazine Podcast, Christina Bragg, the vice president of marketing and communications at the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, discusses...

YMCA of Greater Birmingham recently opened its newly renovated and expanded Northeast YMCA branch in the Roebuck community. Clark Virden, the chief development officer, SVP,...