YCS - Formerly ECRN+

04/19/2026

Trying to make sense of waivers? You’re not alone.

Join Dublin City Schools and The Arc of Ohio for a virtual training designed to break it all down in a clear, practical way. You will learn about the different types of waivers, what they provide, and how they can work alongside other supports.

The training will take place on Tuesday, April 21, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Zoom.

Registration is required: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/46u1Ja8-QLSUYmZ95iGIiQ

04/14/2026

We had such a wonderful day at the Blendon Woods Metropolitan Park Inclusive Playground last week!

We truly enjoyed the beautiful weather, spending time with families, and exploring everything the inclusive playground has to offer. Our STEM team also brought along a fun hands-on activity, giving children the chance to look closely at the world through microscopes🔬

A big thank you to all the families who joined us for such a joyful afternoon outdoors. We are so grateful for opportunities like this that bring people together and support inclusive spaces where children of all abilities can connect, explore, and play side by side.

Want to join us for more Happy Hikers Club adventures? 🌳💚 Sign up for our mailing list below to stay in the loop on upcoming events!

https://forms.gle/PDNWfhRRjZZKNSMVA

04/10/2026

We had such a wonderful time last week at our Happy Hikers event at Glacier Ridge Metro Park! 🐦🌿

Families came together for a fun and hands-on day exploring the amazing world of birds and the nests they build. We learned about different types of nests, looked at real examples up close, and then headed out on a guided nature hike to search for nests along the trails. It was so exciting to see everyone engaged, asking questions, and discovering nature in action!

Families then got the chance to build a life-sized Bald Eagle nest using natural materials from the park. The teamwork, creativity, and excitement from everyone made it such a special experience!

And a big shoutout to our YMCA STEM Team for leading a fun activity with gliders! Watching them take flight added an extra layer of excitement to an already fantastic day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! We truly loved spending the day outdoors learning and exploring together!

Want to stay in the loop for future FREE YMCA events and programs? Sign up for our mailing list here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEzJQTL1jxH7QHZI07grWujSIIDlebF9hQCnIKpJzwCsow4g/viewform

03/26/2026

🌿✨ Family Adventure at Blendon Woods! ✨🌿

Join the YMCA of Central Ohio for a fun-filled adventure with Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks at Blendon Woods Metropolitan Park's Inclusive Playground! Families of all ages and abilities are invited to enjoy the beauty of nature, spend time outdoors, and connect with one another!

Kids can explore and play at the inclusive playground, plus enjoy a hands-on YMCA STEM activity led by our STEM team! 🌳

Come ready for fresh air, fun, and great company! We can’t wait to see you there!

📅 Date: April 9TH, 2026
⏰ Time: 2:00–5:00 PM
📍 Location: Blendon Woods Metro Park – Inclusive Playground
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Audience: All Ages & Abilities
🧢 What to bring: Clothes and shoes for play!
🎟 This event is FREE, but registration is REQUIRED:
eventbrite.com/e/1985733673873/?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/23/2026

03/10/2026

Join the YMCA of Central Ohio for a fun, hands-on outdoor adventure at Glacier Ridge Metro Park!

Families will learn about different types of bird nests, explore real examples, and take a guided hike to search for nests along the trail. In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, we’ll also honor our national bird, the Bald Eagle, by working together to build a life-sized eagle nest using natural materials from the park. Plus, our YMCA STEM Team will lead another fun hands-on science activity for families!

📅 March 29, 2026
🕒 3:00–4:30 PM
📍 Location: Glacier Ridge Metro Park (9801 Hyland Croy Rd)
Meet at the Shelter House in the second parking lot.
👨‍👩‍👧 All ages and abilities welcome
🚶 Trail is ~0.7–1 mile (mostly paved or gravel)
🌦 Rain or shine

Recommended: Closed-toe shoes, layers, and gloves (optional).
🔭 Binoculars will be provided!
📩 Questions? FamilySupport@ymcacolumbus.org

Come explore nature and help build a giant eagle nest! 🪺🌲
Registration is required for this FREE event! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/happy-hikers-club-lets-build-an-eagle-nest-tickets-1983957590560?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/10/2026

Join the YMCA of Central Ohio and Nationwide Children’s Hospital for an important and informative virtual training focused on supporting youth mental health!

📅 Wednesday, March 25th
🕠 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
💻 Virtual Event (Zoom link sent prior to the session)

This session will provide practical tools and knowledge to help individuals recognize warning signs and confidently respond when a young person may be at risk.

In this training, you will learn:
• Key terms and current statistics related to youth su***de
• Warning signs and risk factors associated with su***de in young people
• Signs of depression, anxiety, and self-injury in youth
• Effective, practical strategies for responding to youth at risk

This session is educational, supportive, and empowering, helping caregivers feel more confident in having potentially lifesaving conversations.

Presenter:
Melanie Fluellen, LPCC-S is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Su***de Prevention Specialist with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She has been a clinician for 18 years and has extensive experience supporting children and teens who have experienced trauma. Melanie currently works with the Center for Su***de Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, helping schools implement the SOS Signs of Su***de Prevention Program, providing su***de prevention trainings, and offering counseling to teens experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and su***de attempts.

🎟 Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-talk-with-your-child-about-mental-health-with-nationwide-childrens-tickets-1983963288603?aff=oddtdtcreator

02/26/2026

🌟✨ What a magical night! ✨🌟

We had the most amazing time at our Enchanted Evening event! It was a wonderful night full of food, crafts, scavenger hunts, campfire marshmallows, magical character visits from Magical Adventures Parties, and even a hands-on STEM snow-making activity that brought a little winter wonder to our evening! ❄️ It was so special seeing families learning, laughing, and making memories together in such a beautiful setting.

A huge THANK YOU to Caffé DaVinci for the delicious food that fueled our fun, and to the Highbanks Metro Park for hosting us in such an incredible nature space. We are so grateful for your partnership in making this night so memorable!

Thank you to all the families who joined us! We can’t wait to see you at our next magical adventure! ✨