Athens YMCA

The Leader in Training (LIT) Program isn't a volunteer program.

It's our leadership incubator.

This summer, 23 high school students chose to invest their summer in something bigger than themselves. They didn't just help at Camp Kelley—they became leaders our campers looked up to every single day.

Together, they led more than 70 swim instruction sessions, helping 536 campers pass their swim test this summer. They encouraged homesick campers, solved problems, played games, prayed with and for campers, and showed up every day ready to serve.

At the same time, we invested in them.

They explored three college campuses, learned practical financial skills through the University of Georgia's Financial Resilience and Education Center, earned their Junior Swim Instructor certification, completed Hands-Only CPR training, and developed leadership skills that will serve them long after summer ends.

The LIT Program is about preparing young people for what comes next—whether that's college, a career, or becoming leaders in their communities.

We're incredibly proud of these 23 young men and women. Thank you for the heart, leadership, and example you set for hundreds of campers this summer. We can't wait to see what your future holds! 🌟

Each year, the Athens YMCA presents the Cobern Kelley Leadership Award, our highest honor for young leaders. Named in memory of our former Youth Director and Camp Kelley's namesake, this award recognizes those who consistently model the values Cobern Kelley lived every day.

Recipients are chosen not because of a single accomplishment, but because of years of consistent character and leadership. They faithfully love God, the Athens YMCA, Camp Kelley, and the people around them. They lead with integrity, work hard, and serve others day after day.

Congratulations to our 2026 recipients, Shelby McDaniel and Tiger Tabb!

Shelby has called the Athens YMCA home since she was four years old. After growing up in our programs, completing the LIT program, and serving on staff since age 16, she's now preparing to attend the University of Georgia to pursue elementary education. Whether coaching soccer and cross country or sharing her talents through knitting and crocheting, Shelby leads with kindness, humility, and a servant's heart.

Tiger has also been part of the Athens YMCA since he was a young child. A classic Southern gentleman, he consistently puts others before himself and leads with quiet humility and integrity. He'll be a sophomore at Clarke Central High School this fall. When he's not at the YMCA, Tiger enjoys playing the guitar and viola. He previously played both baseball and football, and his love for sports continues as he looks forward to coaching our afterschool sports programs this fall.

Our Camp Kelley theme this summer was "Let Your Light Shine," and Shelby and Tiger have done exactly that—not just this summer, but throughout their years at the Athens YMCA. Their lives are a reminder that the brightest lights are those that shine consistently in service to others.

Congratulations, Shelby and Tiger! We are so proud of you and can't wait to see what God has in store. Thank you for carrying on Cobern Kelley's legacy and inspiring all of us to let our light shine.

What an incredible day at the 45th Annual Coach Mike Run Through the Woods 5K!

From runners crossing the finish line and our enthusiastic Fun Run participants to the amazing volunteers who made everything run smoothly and the generous sponsors who helped make this event possible—THANK YOU!

Because of our incredible community, we celebrated another memorable Coach Mike 5K filled with smiles, encouragement, and plenty of miles.

Swipe through to relive some of our favorite moments from race day!

Thank you to:
-Every runner and walker
-Our dedicated volunteers
-Our generous sponsors
-Families, friends, and everyone who came out to cheer

Your support is what makes this event such a special tradition year after year. Can't wait to see you next year, Saturday, August 7, 2027!

Rise. Sweat. Repeat.

August is the perfect time to build a new routine!

💥 Mondays | 6:05 AM
HIIT with Jennifer

🔥 Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:05 AM
Turn & Burn with Toni

Grab a friend, set your alarm, and start your mornings with an energizing workout and an incredible YMCA community.

We'll see you bright and early!

☀️Summers are for...

..nature walks and creek adventures.
..dress-up and silent disco.
..pitball and low ropes.
..face paint and face glitter.
..the secret playground.
..the ducks battling the snack bandits.
..pool days and water slides.
..worship Wednesday's in the chapel.
..snacks.
..dance parties.
..SWAG's world tour.
..content.
..paint wars and pranks.
..friendship bracelets and camp songs.
..laughing until your stomach hurts.
..finding your people.
..trying something new.
..celebrating wins, cheering each other on, and letting your light shine.
..CAMP KELLEY.

Today we finished our 90th summer and celebrated our amazing camp staff with Zaxby's, Kona Ice, superlatives, a highlight video, hide-and-seek, and one last chance to simply be together before a new school year begins.

To every camper, family, and staff member—thank you for making our 90th summer one we'll never forget. And don't forget to LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

Congratulations to our final Coaches and Campers of the Week.

Cubs: James
Indians: Landrie
Braves: Mia
Warriors: Lennox
LIT: Wiley
Staff: Sam H. & Savannah

Until 2027!

Happy Birthday to our one-and-only Membership & Marketing Director, Samantha (lovingly known as Coach Sammi)!

If you've been around the Y, you've probably seen her... welcoming new members, teaching Golden Olympic swim lessons, leading games at Camp Kelley, snapping photos, creating posts, solving problems, and somehow doing it all with a smile.

Today's sweetest moment? Two of our campers surprised her with roses! 🌹We think that says it all.

Help us wish her the happiest birthday! We hope your day is as awesome as you are!

This week at STEAM Camp, our campers had an incredible opportunity to learn from Devon with Georgia Power. Through hands-on activities, they explored renewable and nonrenewable energy, built circuits, tested conductors and insulators, discovered the power of UV light, tried out coding, and got to be real engineers when designing their LEGO city.

The campers' favorite surprise? Their UV-reactive sunglasses that changed colors in the sunlight!

A huge thank you to Georgia Power for investing in our campers and helping inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers. We loved every minute of it!

Week 8: Fire Duck - A Brand New Day brought weather challenges along with some fun surprises! Several special visitors along with our silly staff's creativity kept this week entertaining! Congrats to the CUBS for winning the spirit stick and all of our coaches and campers of the week!

Coach: Coach Carly
LITs: Coach Atticus & Coach Shiloh
C: Sutton
I: Khalil
B: Isla
W: Nate

Our staff continue to be lighthouses for our campers this summer. This is a special group of kids and coaches. We'll see you all back for our final week, WEEK 9! CK kids know it, but SUMMERS REALLY ARE FOR CAMP KELLEY!

A BIG thank you to our amazing community partners for helping keep Camp Kelley campers safe and healthy!

Thank you to Piedmont Athens Regional for teaching Bike & Helmet Safety, Hands-Only CPR, Super Sitters, and healthy drink choices, and to the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department for bringing fire safety to life. 🚒❤️

We love giving our campers hands-on experiences that build confidence and life skills. Thank you for investing in our kids!

Nature Camp was full of adventure this week!

Campers hunted for treasures on a nature scavenger hunt, discovered the water cycle, made a fort, splashed through the creek, and visited the garden to see nature up close.

A big thank you to Cedar Shoals Nature Club for helping our campers explore, discover, and grow! 🌿🌦️🦋