Did You Know? Celebrating Founder’s Day at the Whatcom Family YMCA

It’s hard to imagine that when George Williams and a small group of young men gathered in London back in 1844, they were starting something that would reach across the globe. But 181 years later, here we are—still working every day to build stronger, more connected communities. And that’s something worth celebrating. 🎉

But did you know just how much of everyday life has roots in the Y?

🧔 Father’s Day was first celebrated at a YMCA.
🏕️ The first known summer camp in the U.S. started at a Y in 1885.
🏀 Basketball and 🏐 volleyball were both invented at the Y.
💪 A Y staffer coined the term “bodybuilding.”
🌍 The Peace Corps was inspired by YMCA-led global service work.
🏅 A YMCA leader won the Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian efforts in 1946.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Y helped launch the concept of group swim lessons for kids and families.

At the Whatcom Family YMCA, we’re proud to carry that legacy forward every day. Whether it's swim lessons, afterschool programs, fitness classes, or community outreach, everything we do connects people to their potential and to each other.

So today, we pause to celebrate our beginnings—and then we get right back to work. Because there's still a lot of good to do.

Find your Y. Find your why.