During its long and distinguished history of service, Ys have been known for their tradition of program innovations to better serve members and communities. The following are just a few fun facts about Y “firsts" given to us all.
Basketball - Originated by the Y at Springfield College, Massachusetts in 1891.
Volleyball - Created by the Y in 1895.
Softball - Developed by a physical director in the Denver, Colorado Y
Racquetball - Originated by Joe Solbeck in the Greenwich, Connecticut Y.
Boy Scouts of America - Originated under Y leadership. The first Chief Scout
Executive was a Washington, D.C. Y volunteer.
Camp Fire - Organized at the Y Silver Bay Assembly through the effort of Luther Gulick's wife.
Organized Camping Programs - Began at the Y Camp Dudley, Westpom New York in 1885.
Woman's Fitness - Aerobic and Jazzercise originated in the Y.
Chapels - The Y was the first non-sectarian organization to put chapels in their facilities.
Peace Corps - Because of its successful World Service Workers effort, which started in the late 1880's the Y was asked to organize the Peace Corps. After careful consideration, the Y reluctantly turned down the request due to other commitments, but much of the Peace Corps was patterned after the Y's program.
USO - The Y joined with the YWCA, National Catholic Community Service, Jewish Welfare Board, Salvation Army, and Travelers Aid, forming the United Services Organization (USO) in 1941.
Systematic Certification - The Y was first to establish certification programs for Life Saving, Swimming and Aquatic Instruction.
Work Study Programs - First established at Y related colleges and universities across the country.
Warner Sallman's "Head of Christ" - One of the most recognized religious paintings, Sallman painted the work in the Reading Room of the Chicago Central Y where he was also living at the time.
"I Would Be True" - The popular hymn was originally for Y camp initiation rites in
California.
Gideons - Founded in the Janesville, Wisconsin Y.
Basketball - Originated by the Y at Springfield College, Massachusetts in 1891.
Volleyball - Created by the Y in 1895.
Softball - Developed by a physical director in the Denver, Colorado Y
Racquetball - Originated by Joe Solbeck in the Greenwich, Connecticut Y.
Boy Scouts of America - Originated under Y leadership. The first Chief Scout
Executive was a Washington, D.C. Y volunteer.
Camp Fire - Organized at the Y Silver Bay Assembly through the effort of Luther Gulick's wife.
Organized Camping Programs - Began at the Y Camp Dudley, Westpom New York in 1885.
Woman's Fitness - Aerobic and Jazzercise originated in the Y.
Chapels - The Y was the first non-sectarian organization to put chapels in their facilities.
Peace Corps - Because of its successful World Service Workers effort, which started in the late 1880's the Y was asked to organize the Peace Corps. After careful consideration, the Y reluctantly turned down the request due to other commitments, but much of the Peace Corps was patterned after the Y's program.
USO - The Y joined with the YWCA, National Catholic Community Service, Jewish Welfare Board, Salvation Army, and Travelers Aid, forming the United Services Organization (USO) in 1941.
Systematic Certification - The Y was first to establish certification programs for Life Saving, Swimming and Aquatic Instruction.
Work Study Programs - First established at Y related colleges and universities across the country.
Warner Sallman's "Head of Christ" - One of the most recognized religious paintings, Sallman painted the work in the Reading Room of the Chicago Central Y where he was also living at the time.
"I Would Be True" - The popular hymn was originally for Y camp initiation rites in
California.
Gideons - Founded in the Janesville, Wisconsin Y.
