Summer Programs

River’s Way Summer Programming 2026

River’s Way Summer Programming will run during June and July 2026. Families may choose between the Half-Day YMCA Program, Monday–Thursday from 1:00–4:00 PM, or the Full-Day Summer Program, Monday–Thursday from 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.

The Half-Day YMCA Program can serve up to 22 participants. The Full-Day Summer Program can serve up to 10 participants in the morning.

This summer will include gardening, walking programs, YMCA fitness, yoga, cardio, Camp Friendship, and our flower program at the Bristol Farmers Market. Programming is free for families, but space is limited.

River’s Way will offer two main registration options:

1. Half-Day YMCA Program

2. Full-Day Summer Program

Option 1: Half-Day YMCA Program

Days: Monday–Thursday
Time: 1:00–4:00 PM
Location: YMCA of Bristol
Capacity: Up to 22 participants

The Half-Day YMCA Program is our afternoon fitness program. Participants will take part in weightlifting, yoga, walking, cardio machines, and other healthy movement activities.

Half-Day Registration

Option 2: Full-Day Summer Program
Days: Monday–Thursday
Time: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Drop-off/Pickup: YMCA of Bristol
Morning capacity: 10 participants

The Full-Day Summer Program includes morning gardening and walking programs, lunch, and the Half-Day YMCA Program.

Each morning, participants will take part in gardening and walking programs with local community partners. In the afternoon, participants will return to the YMCA for fitness, yoga, walking, and cardio.

Walking program partners may include:

  • Girls Inc.
  • Children’s Inc.
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Fairmount Elementary
  • YWCA
  • YMCA
full-Day Registration

Optional Friday Program: Camp Friendship
Days: Fridays
Time: 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Drop-off/Pickup: YMCA of Bristol
Capacity: 7 participants

Camp Friendship will be offered on select Fridays during the summer. Space is limited due to transportation and staffing.

Families can check a box on the registration form if they are interested in Camp Friendship.

Matt will communicate separately with families about Friday availability.

 Optional Saturday Program: Farmers Market Flower Program
Days: Saturdays
Time: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Downtown Bristol Farmers Market
Capacity: 4 participants

Participants may have the opportunity to help sell flowers grown through River’s Way programming at the Bristol Farmers Market.

Families can check a box on the registration form if they are interested in the Farmers Market flower program.

Matt will communicate separately with families about Saturday availability.

Important Dates

Summer Programming Begins: Monday, June 1, 2026
Summer Programming Ends: Friday, July 31, 2026

River’s Way will be closed:

  • Friday, July 3
  • Saturday, July 4

What Participants Should Bring

Participants should bring:

  • A backpack
  • A cold lunch in a lunchbox
  • Any utensils needed for lunch
  • A water bottle
  • Closed-toed comfortable shoes
  • Sunscreen, hat, or other sun protection as needed

Please pack a cold lunch each day. River’s Way will be on the go during summer programming, and we may not always have access to a microwave or refrigerator.

Closed-toed shoes are required. No sandals or flip-flops.

Attendance Expectations

River’s Way Summer Programming is free for families, but each spot is valuable. Because space is limited, participants are expected to attend consistently on the days they are scheduled.

Families should communicate absences in advance whenever possible.

Repeated no-shows or inconsistent attendance may result in a participant losing their summer spot so another individual on the waiting list can attend.

HALF DAY (YMCA ONLY) Summer Program – https://riversway.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/summer-registration-half-day-ymca-only-2026
Full-Day Summer Program: https://riversway.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/summer-registration-full-day-2026