YMCA ‘Get Summer’ Program Offers Free Memberships to Chicago Teens
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago's "Get Summer" program is offering free memberships to teens aged 12-18, attracting over 3,000 participants across seven city locations. This initiative, funded by philanthropy, aims to provide safe and engaging activities for young people during…
Chicago, IL, August 13, 2026 —
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago has launched its “Get Summer” program, providing complimentary memberships to individuals aged 12 to 18. This initiative has already seen a significant uptake, with over 3,000 teenagers participating across seven YMCA locations within the city.
The program is entirely funded through philanthropic contributions. Its primary objective is to offer a safe and constructive environment for young people during the summer break. This effort comes at a time when there are heightened concerns regarding disruptive teen gatherings in public spaces.
By offering free access to YMCA facilities and programs, the “Get Summer” initiative aims to engage youth with activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial. The program’s focus on providing supervised and structured opportunities is intended to be a positive alternative for teenagers during the extended school vacation.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago has not provided further details on the specific activities offered under the “Get Summer” program beyond general safe and engaging activities. The duration of the program and the specific closing date for participation were also not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Emmanuel Camarillo on chicago.suntimes.com, see more information here.
