- September 16, 2025
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William Rasulo and Grayson Blaney put their energy into soccer at the YMCA's summer camp. Blaney calls it "fun soccer" when he plays at the Y.
Photo by Madison BierlParrish's Abigail Demus and Lakewood Ranch's Ellie Kil are long time campers at the Y. They like the aquatic camp, which allows for three hours a day in the pool.
Photo by Madison BierlLakewood Ranch camper Nyle Super, 8, trains for the upcoming triathlon at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA that will occur on Aug. 23.
Photo by Madison BierlLakewood Ranch's Milana Gittens, 8, gives Bradenton's Olivia Medez, 8, a high five after they play a game of "Try Not to Laugh" at the YMCA's summer camp.
Photo by Madison BierlLakewood Ranch's Zoey Evans and London Nooney, both 5 years old, freeze in place when "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift is paused. If they fail to freeze, they are out of the game.
Photo by Madison BierlCampers between 10 and 11 burn off energy, before heading to the pool at YMCA's summer camp.
Photo by Madison BierlLakewood Ranch 5-year-old Beckett Sage says his favorite part of camp is the toys. Cars are his favorite and he hopes to become a race car driver.
Photo by Madison BierlLakewood Ranch's Brady Kerr and Blake McGrew both enjoy the biking part of a triathlon over swimming and running. They are training for an event at the YMCA.
Photo by Madison BierlRayna Shapiro, Maya Santos, Layla Vonador, Mackenzie Notman and London Nooney are all 5-year-old YMCA campers who were dancing and doing crafts.
Photo by Madison BierlIsabelle McCann, Ellie Mclellen, Fiona Reinhold, Alia Lascaibar and Nadiyah Aljukic attend the YMCA camp for 8- and 9-year-olds. They do a little bit of everything including sports, crafts and games.
Photo by Madison BierlThe YMCA triathlon trainees run as fast as they can to beat camp counselor Aiden Thede.
Photo by Madison BierlRhiannon Blaney, the senior program director of the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, said she has noticed a lot of gratitude from both parents and kids as the 10 weeks of summer camp are wrapping up the week before the start of school.
"We had parents give a pack of Gatorade to counselors, saying 'Thank you so much for everything you've done this summer.'"
Traditional camps were split into five age groups: 5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 and teens.
One of the camps for the last week revolved around training for an upcoming youth triathlon at the YMCA where the kids will bike, run and swim on Aug. 23.
Lakewood Ranch's Brady Kerr is one of the kids who will participate. He said he is excited for the biking and running, but prefers swimming in a more casual setting.
"My favorite part is that I can do something fun with people my age," Kerr said.
