YCS - Formerly ECRN+

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! ✨

02/23/2026

Spring hasn't sprung yet, so all the more reason to kick off with a FREE Community Day visit to the always-lush Franklin Park Conservatory!

The theme for Sunday, March 1, is Autism and the Arts. We're celebrating with a resource fair and performances by Band Together Central Ohio. Don't miss it!

More information: https://www.fpconservatory.org/events/march-community-day/

02/16/2026

Join us TOMORROW for our next Free Legal Clinic- Overcoming Transportation Challenges in Special Education.

You can learn more and register to attend at lawyers4students.com/legalclinic

02/16/2026

02/04/2026