YMCA Now Enrolling Free Fall Youth & Teen Pathway Program Participants

River Crossing YMCA has opened enrollment for fall 2025 youth Pathway programs. Pathway programs are free, donor-supported engagement programs for youth and teens throughout the community. Participants need not be members of the YMCA to enroll.

Empower U is a six week free program for teen girls age 12-15, designed to strengthen self-esteem, positive relationships and self-reliance. The Empower U program includes fitness center workouts, group exercise samplers, and interactive programming designed to instill a sense of confidence, empowerment, and overall well-being. Girls who complete the program receive a free two-month teen membership to the YMCA.

Similar to Empower U, Stand Up is a free program for teen boys ages 12-15 to enhance their self-image through exercise, learning to cultivate positive relationships, and developing self-reliance. Stand Up also includes a free two-month teen membership to the YMCA upon completion.

Both Empower U and Stand Up are currently accepting inquiries for participation at the Doylestown, Fairless Hills and Quakertown branches in Bucks County, as well as the Deer Path branch in Flemington, NJ through Oct. 6, with sessions beginning the week of October 13. Interested families can fill out the inquiry form on the Y’s Pathway programs website at https://www.ymcarivercrossing.org/pathways, as well as the Empower U and Stand Up pages.

Along with Empower U and Stand Up, River Crossing YMCA continues its celebrated and innovative We All Wheel wheelchair basketball Pathway program at the Doylestown branch this fall. We All Wheel is the free, donor-supported youth wheelchair basketball program featuring drills, practice, and games. This inclusive program offers a fun and challenging way for youth with physical disabilities and their able-bodied peers to play together. Wheelchairs and instruction are provided. Children and teens with lower-body extremity disabilities and able bodied children and teens age 9-15 learn wheelchair basketball together, developing new friendships and understanding along the way. All participants receive a free 12-week youth membership to the Y for the duration of the program. The Y is taking inquiries through Sept. 15, with the first We All Wheel class of the fall session beginning Sept. 22. Inquiries to participate are invited via the Y’s Pathway programs webpage, as well as the We All Wheel page.

River Crossing YMCA (formerly YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater Valley YMCA) is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through
membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 142,000 members and participants at its 12 member branches, 13 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 44 school age child care programs. River Crossing YMCA provides over $12 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcarivercrossing.org.