With history in Springfield dating back to 1874, the YMCA has hosted numerous programs across multiple generations of residents over the course of 150 years.
Springfield has two YMCA locations: the Downtown YMCA and the Gus and Flora Kerasotes YMCA on the west side. Both locations offer a variety of activities that won the Illinois Times’ Best of Springfield. Other popular YMCA offerings include kids’ sports, adult basketball, adult exercise classes, and fitness equipment and gym classes for adults.
The YMCA is particularly known for its youth activities. Need free childcare while you work out? An after-school program or something constructive for your kids to do while out of school for the day or the summer? A parent’s night out on a Saturday evening? The YMCA has options for all those childcare needs.
There are also plenty of children’s events that are open to the whole community, including Easter egg hunts, a Spooky Trails Halloween event, a North Pole party and visits from Santa Claus.
The YMCA Ninja Race is a beloved kids’ event, a one-day all-out obstacle course competition held in June that covers the field behind the Kerasotes Y. The Ninja Run includes giant inflatables such as slides and other exciting elements like tires, mud and foam. Both kids and their adults can compete in the YMCA Ninja Run and awards are offered to top finishers.
This article appears in October 29-November 4, 2026.
