YMCA Timeline

2000-Today

2008  - Annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day is launched to help families embrace lifelong healthy habits

2006  - YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum is rolled out in YMCA Child Cares across Canada

2005  - A developmental asset approach is integrated into all YMCA programs

2001  - The YMCA's 150th anniversary is commemorated with a stamp issued by Canada Post

1980-1999

1997  - YMCAs run Federal Public Services Youth Internship Program

1986  - YMCA Youth Enterprise Centres offer entrepreneur programs

1984  - YMCA Canada begins YMCA Peace Week

1981  - YMCA Canada initiates Fellowship of Honour

1960-1979

1972  - YMCA preschool education introduced

1967  - Individual Ys begin to sponsor specific overseas YMCA projects leading to partnerships with overseas Ys

1960s + '70s - The Y is one of the first groups to develop the concept of youth staff going onto the streets to reach out to other youth

1960s  - Licensed child care programs open

1940-1959

1959  - YMCA of Toronto plays a role in development of York University

1942 - YMCA of Ottawa starts night classes, leading to Carleton University

1940s  - Clubs for youth like the Hi-Y take off

1920-1939

1939 - Staff in YMCA War Services support Canadian Armed Forces in WWII

1931  - National aquatics program launched

1926 - YMCA of Montreal's night classes expand to eventually become Concordia University

1925 - First joint YMCA-YWCA is formed

1900-1919

1917 - YMCA starts Khaki College

1914 - YMCA War Services staff serve Canadian Forces in WWI

1910 - First national YMCA swimming instruction program launched

1906 - YMCA Junior Leader Program starts

1880-1899

1895 - Volleyball, a YMCA invention, comes to Canada

1892 - First leadership program to train Physical Directors starts in Montreal YMCA

1891  - Canadian YMCA director invents basketball

1890 - First YMCA resident camp starts

1889  - Canadian YMCA goes international

1880s  - Railway Ys were being built along developing railway lines

1860-1879

1872 - First Canadian YMCA community building is erected 

1868 - First Home for Street Boys is opened

1867  - 21 YMCAs already operated at Confederation offering physical activities along with bible studies and lectures that normally would only be available to educated people of high social standing.
1866 - YMCA begins offering physical activities

- Canadian YMCA War Services begin

1840-1859

1858 - First night classes introduced at YMCA of London

1851 - First YMCA in Canada and North America

1844 - The YMCA is founded in London, England

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