Newport News, VA August 7, 2025 — The YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas marked an exciting milestone this August by expanding its Bright Beginnings program into Surry County, Virginia, reaching even more children with essential back-to-school support.

Anyone can drown, but no one should. July 25 is World Drowning Prevention Day, set forth by the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO). Our association is joining in on raising drowning prevention awareness as a public health issue.

We were proud to be featured on 13News Now as we prepare to welcome hundreds of children to summer camp across the Virginia Peninsula. In the segment, our very own Caitlyn Leavens, Associate Vice President of Child Care, shared how our teams are hard at work getting everything ready for an unforgettable summer.