South Shore YMCA history

1905 – The Quincy Y moves into a permanent home on Washington Street offering many community programs such as vocational training, bowling, exercise sessions, and prayer meetings.

In 1928 the YMCA founded Camp Burgess for Boys on Cape Cod, beginning a strong camping tradition that has touched the lives of generations of families.

In the YMCA Centennial year of 1952, the Staten Island Branch acquired a 2.5-acre parcel at 651 Broadway, located across from the Staten Island Zoo.

Three fundraising campaigns were organized over the years; and in 1955 a new building opened at 79 Coddington Street in Quincy.

A century-old stone homestead on the property served as temporary headquarters until 1957, when a modern YMCA building was opened.

In 1960 Camp Hayward for Girls was established across the lake from Camp Burgess in Sandwich.

In 1974, the branch launched a full-scale extension of its services as a YMCA-YWCA program on the South Shore and relocated its New Brighton program and staff to Markham Houses in partnership with the New York City Housing Authority.

1976 – A Women’s Fitness Salon addition was completed to accommodate the growing needs of our female members and the national rise in physical fitness and wellness.

In 1978 a new physical fitness wing was added, including an indoor running track, three handball/racquetball courts, a weight room and exercise area.

In the 1980's, the Y launched a substance abuse program in Staten Island aimed at helping children of substance abusers, recovering adults, and young people in the juvenile justice system.

The Quincy YMCA merged with the Weymouth YMCA in 1981, and the South Shore YMCA was born.

In 1984 part of the Physical Fitness wing was converted to a 21-station Nautilus Fitness Center.

1994 – YMCA Camp Gordon Clark and the South Shore YMCA Family Outdoor Center are founded in Hanover, establishing a YMCA day camp program and providing outdoor pools and activities for families.

1996 – A new pool, locker rooms, and outdoor fields with a running track are added to the Quincy branch as part of a $2.5 million Capital Campaign.

Serving our communities since 1997, the South Shore YMCA engages youth and families in Staten Island with its state-of-the-art fitness facilities, pool, youth programs and a community committed to helping you achieve your goals.

The Mill Pond Tennis Club in Hanover was purchased in 1998 and converted into our Mill Pond YMCA branch.

State funds were awarded for the creation of new center on Richmond Avenue, which opened in 1999 as the YMCA Counseling Service center.

2000 – The Germantown Neighborhood Center merges with the South Shore YMCA, bringing social services to local residents, including the South Shore YMCA’s food pantry that serves over 4,000 people a year.

2002 – The Mill Pond YMCA expansion is completed, creating a full-service Y that offers state-of-the-art programs in aquatics, fitness, tennis, teen center, gymnastics, and more.

2003 – A 10,000 square foot winterized dining hall at Camp Burgess opens, allowing the Camp to serve more campers and expand its outdoor education programs year-round.

The year 2007 introduced the new Tousant Hall in honor of Doctor Emma Tousant at Camp Hayward for girls.

In September of 2011, the South Shore YMCA merged with South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell.

2013 – The Mill Pond Y Branch is dedicated as the Emilson YMCA Branch, honoring long-time supporters, Herb and Paulie Emilson, and serving a membership of nearly 19,000 people.

2016 – A winterized dining hall with a capacity of 400 is built at Camp Hayward allowing for the expansion of our girls’ summer camp and year-round outdoor education programs.

2019 – The South Shore YMCA completes an incredibly successful “Leave Your Mark” Capital Campaign, raising $13 million in one year.