History of YMCA of Northern Utah

The Y in Utah

The Y has been listening and responding to our communities’ most critical social needs for 125 years.

The YMCA is a diverse organization of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. The need at the inception was a place for young men to come together, live a balanced life and become good stewards to their families and communities. The YMCA evolved to serve ALL providing innovative solutions to social issues. Today, the Y serves ALL people living in our community regardless of gender, race or creed. The Y is a non-secular organization that focuses on instilling a sense of well-being in ALL, thus strengthening the community as a whole. Together we are a leading force for communities to become better and stronger places to live. The strength of the YMCA is in our cause—the people we serve!

In 2015, the YMCA served over 4,500 kids and teens through our youth programs at 25 after school sites, 6 summer day camps, 6 preschool sites and one summer overnight camp, Camp Roger. More than 113,000 healthy meals and snacks were served and 604 volunteers served over 5,648 hours of time — plus over $1,845,000 was given in financial assistance.

1851-1913

1851
YMCA founded in the United States in Boston, MA.

1893
YMCA opens in Salt Lake City - the largest city west of the Mississippi without a YMCA.

1896
Utah becomes the 45th state of the Union.

1913
Utah YMCA begins taking boys on camping trips (via train) in Provo Canyon.

1948-1963

1948
Utah YMCA opens Camp Roger, a former CCC camp in the Uinta Mountains created to provide a wilderness experience for Utah's youth.

1950
Community leaders agree upon a facility for the Utah YMCA to keep young people on the path of "usefulness and happiness." A Capital Campaign begins to build a new YMCA facility in Salt Lake City to meet the need for housing, a public gymnasium, pool, recreational activities, and provide a home away from home.

1963
Utah YMCA opens doors to New YMCA facility in downtown Salt Lake.

1960-1997

The "golden age" for the Utah YMCA. Camp Roger and the YMCA facility serve thousands each year. Youth have a safe and nurturing place to go when not in school.

1991
Utah YMCA closes the Salt Lake City facility and focuses on YMCA Camp Roger.

1997
Utah YMCA begins Afterschool Program (ASP) outreach. YMCA sees the need for more after-school programs, especially for low-income families and begins partnerships with schools to meet the needs.

2006-2014

2006
The Utah YMCA begins a new transformation, and redefines its purpose and value to the community.

2008
The Utah YMCA expands Afterschool programs and services to Weber county bringing an experienced leadership and 13 programs - doubling the size of the organization.

2010
The YMCA opens the first YMCA Community Family Center as the model of the growth plan for serving the community needs in Utah. A second facility was planned to open in 2014.

2014-Present

2024
Serving over 3,690 kids and teens though our youth programs. More than 1,750 campers attended YMCA Camp Roger & YMCA Mill Hollow.

Awarded $1,921,269 to Y families.

136,895 meals served.

35 programs, including Afterschool, Preschool, Winter Sports, Summer Day Camps, & Overnight Camps.

4 facilities - YMCA Community Family Center in Taylorsville & Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation YMCA Community Family Center in Ogden; YMCA Camp Roger & YMCA Mill Hollow in the Uinta Mountains.

Present
Today, the YMCA of Northern Utah is proud to serve our community. View our Impact Statements to learn more!

VIEW OUR IMPACT

The YMCA in the United States

Today, the Y engages more than 10,000 neighborhoods across the U.S. As the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to helping people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, our contributions are both far-reaching and intimate—from influencing our nation’s culture during times of profound social change to the individual support we provide an adult learning to read.

By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-being, and supporting and serving our neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure.

Here’s a glance at our rich history, and a snapshot of our many successes over the last 160 years on behalf of the individuals and communities we are privileged to serve.