History
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Department Contact
The Duluth Area Family YMCA was founded in 1882. We are an independent, local, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization.
The story of the Duluth YMCA is the story of a growing, changing Duluth. It started from an idea in the minds of a small group of men to the expansion of what it is today - one of the largest nonprofit organizations in Duluth, providing hundreds of programs and activities for generations of Duluth citizens.
1870 YMCA Bible Studies and group meetings started being held at 110 West Superior Street.
1882 First YMCA located at 18 E. Superior Street. Bible studies, free reading room and library, gymnasium, fitness classes, etc.
1891 Residence for immigrants was also included in the new YMCA building.
1898 Summer camp for boys started meeting at Green Lake.
1903 "Boys working secretary" was hired to do group work with boys. A YMCA building just for boys was built, referred to as the Boy's Y.
1910 Camp Miller site purchased at Sturgeon Lake, MN. Used cooperatively by YMCA and YWCA until Camp Wanakiwin was purchased.
1916 Barnes-Ames Building - Boy's Y opened across from old Central High School on East Second Street. Gray Y, Jr.-High Y, and Hi-Y clubs were located throughout the City.
1938 Fatherless Boys Association (FBA) began to find men to spend time with boys who did not have a father. The program expanded to include women and girls in 1980.
1966 Three old, rundown Y's were sold, and a new building was erected at 302 West First Street building including women and girls.
1980 Camp Kitchigami first organized, serving youth 6 to 11.
1981 Youth soccer in Duluth was organized by the Y, now called Arrowhead Youth Soccer Association.
1983 Additions to Y building - 3rd floor gymnastics area and running track, therapy pool - $1,200,000. Hanson Lodge at Camp Miller - $120,000.
1984 Camp Miller goes co-ed with summer camp program.
1990 Adaptive locker rooms added for individuals with disabilities - $90,000.
1992 New dining hall added at Camp Miller - $670,000.
1995 Strength and Cardiovascular Center developed and expanded - $200,000
1998 Fatherless Boys program evolves to Mentor Duluth with six area agencies collaborating.
1999 After School Programs added at Lester Park, Homecroft, and Lakewood Schools. Kid's Club created at the Y for childcare while parents work out.
2000 New "Pine Palace" bathhouse completed at Camp Miller. Personal training started in Strength Training Cardio Center.
2002 Introduced new Nitro line of Nautilus exercise equipment.
2003 Large pool inflatable purchased for family and youth time. New basketball backboards installed in gym. Lighting upgraded in pool.
2004 Jack McLeod Leadership Lodge was completed at Camp Miller. 21st Century Learning Centers funded at Nettleton, Grant, and Lowell Schools, and AmeriCorps headquartered at YMCA.
2005 Five Points in-school mentoring program is implemented in 10 Duluth schools.
2007 Touching Lives... Creating the Future Capital Campaign launched to renovate and upgrade the YMCA building.
2009 Construction started for Touching Lives...Creating the Future Building Renovation
