YMCA of the Sandhlls to Host Summer Camp Kickoff February 21

Free and open to the public, families are invited to visit the Y  and learn about 2026 Summer Day Camp & Teen Programs  
 
[Fayetteville, N.C. – February 17, 2026] – The YMCA of the Sandhills invites families to the 2026 Summer Camp Kickoff on Saturday, February 21 from 10 am to 1 pm at its Fayetteville YMCA and its Saleeby Family YMCA in Cameron.  

YMCA Summer Day Camp registration will open March 3 at 8:30 am, but Camp Kickoff is a great way for parents and kids to meet camp staff, explore activities, and get answers to questions about registration,
program schedules and camp locations during this fun meet-and-greet event. 

“Summer Day Camp at the Y gives kids a chance to make new friends, stay active, learn new skills, unplug from screens, and have fun in safe, supportive, welcoming place all summer long,” said Chealsea Sias, Association Director of Youth Development for YMCA of the Sandhills. “Our kickoff event is a great way for families to get a preview of the fun and growth that awaits this summer.” 
 
The Fayetteville Y will host the Camp Kickoff for kids in Cumberland County, and the Saleeby Family Y’s event is for kids in Harnett County.   
 
Parents and teens also will have the opportunity to learn about the Y’s Leader in Training (LIT) and Counselor in Training (CIT) programs for teens at summer camp, where teens can grow their leadership skills and confidence.  
 
The Y also offers its “Get Summer” program specifically for teens aged 12 to 18 in the community. The Y provides a free summer membership with access to all the Y’s amenities, plus teen-only activities, trips, competitions and connections with community partners and mentors. “We’re focusing on overall well-being, including our teens’ physical and mental health, while also eliminating financial barriers that families may face,” Sias said.  
 
About the YMCA 
Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for 175 years in the United States and 104 years here in the Sandhills region. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they are from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. YMCA of the Sandhills serves more than 5,000 members and 600 program participants through the Fayetteville and Saleeby. ymcaofthesandhills.org