YWCA of Asheville
100 Years

 

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

THROUGHOUT THE GENERATIONS

 
 
SUMMER CAMP                                        
1924  -  Central YWCA opened  Camp Kenjocketee, a summer camp for girls. 

                    

1927  -  Central YWCA opens a pool at 13 Grove Street and holds a  Swim the Channel contest  which involved crossing the swimming pool 1,760 times.

                                                                                                  

The YWCA begins its relationship with the Red Cross, offering certified lifesaving and swimming classes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junior Life Saving Corps c.1920s
1930s - Girl Reserves Conference held at Camp Latta at Charlotte.
   

 

 

 

 

 

c.1935

 
1933 - The YWCA offers "Stay at Home Camp", a summer day camp for young girls.
1939 - Phyllis Wheatley Branch on 360 College opens, offering the only fully-equipped Negro gymnasium in the South.
EXERCISE CLASSES & SWIMMING LESSONS
Exercise Class, 1950s

 

 

 - Dance Lessons 1953
1952 - Central YWCA offers mother/child swimming classes.
1950s - Phyllis Wheatley teens attended Campette
Swimming Lessons were held at Grove Street Pool  in the late 1950s and 1960s

 The first integrated swimming lessons were held at Grove Street Pool in 1963.
   
"Say, when we wanted to integrate the swimming pool" Thelma Caldwell "We got two little black boys, first, so they didn't have to worry about their hair or anything and got the mother's to consent.  Anyway, the mothers went in with them, and you know, it grew from that"
1966 - Dance lessons for children, all children
1967 - "Sleek Salon" with workout equipment opens at Grove Street YWCA
1974- The pool at 185 S. French Broad opens.   
1980s - Health and Fitness programs for children and adults created a busy YWCA.                
              
1998 - In response to the high mortality rates for breast cancer for African American women in Buncombe County, the YWCA begins a partnership with Mission Health System and other agencies to provide community education and on-site mammography
2002 - The newly renovated YWCA is re-dedicated and Club W: The YWCA Health & Fitness Center opens to serve the community
       

                                      
Club W: the YWCA Health & Fitness Center

 2,500 sq-ft Fitness Center with free weights and weight machines;
 860 sq-ft Fitness Studio with ergonomically designed floors;
 Fitness classes including tai chi, yoga and aerobics;
 Lap, open swims and water aerobics in our 25-yd heated pool;
 Guest passes, free health screenings, fitness orientation;
 Drop-in child care

                                                                                                                                                

 

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