Tucked away in the charming town of Windsor, North Carolina, the Bertie County YMCA is more than a gym—it’s a place where growth, resilience, and community thrive. You might miss it if you're driving through town, but that’s changing soon. “A visitor once told me they passed right by and didn’t even know which building it was,” said CEO and Executive Director Casey Owens. “That’s when I knew—we needed a better sign.” The Y is currently working on just that, with the help of a skilled craftsman who teaches masonry at a Virginia prison and comes down to work on the sign on his days off. It’s one more example of how this place brings together unlikely resources to build something beautiful.
When Casey took the helm over a decade ago, the YMCA’s future was uncertain. “They welcomed me but said, ‘We’re not sure how we’re going to make payroll next month,’” he recalled. With a little faith and a lot of hustle, he got connected to key funders and turned things around. Today, the Y is not only financially healthy but thriving—and constantly reinvesting in its people and programs.
Recent years have brought major changes: brand-new gym equipment, fresh paint in YMCA colors, a revamped front room, and updated lighting. Many of the upgrades were done in-house, with staff and summer camp counselors rolling up their sleeves to install flooring and apply wallpaper. “The front room used to feel closed off. Now it’s bright and welcoming,” said Casey. A back area is being transformed into a turf-covered HIIT space to keep up with demand for high-intensity training.
But the beating heart of the Bertie County YMCA is its summer camp, a program that began with just 10 kids and now expects to serve 120 this year. Hosted at Bertie Middle School, the camp offers access to a gym, cafeteria, and outdoor space—resources that have helped the program blossom. The schedule balances academic enrichment with licensed teachers, creative arts and crafts and field trips that turn summers into lifelong memories.
Each week of camp has a unique theme—like “Summer Olympics,” complete with color-coded teams and medals, or “Christmas in July,” to spread cheer under the summer sun. Field trips are a highlight, from local museums to past adventures in Washington, D.C. “We had a great time—but I told them we’re staying closer to home this year,” Casey joked.
A big focus for the YMCA has been making camp accessible to more families. Over the years, they’ve restructured pricing, added sibling discounts and are working to introduce designated pickup spots to help working parents with transportation. “We’ve really tried to meet families where they are,” Casey explained. “When you consider how many are managing multiple children or dealing with financial uncertainty, it’s important we do everything we can to make sure camp is within reach.”
Inclusivity is also at the core of everything the YMCA does. “We don’t turn people away,” Casey emphasized. “We believe in making space for everyone—regardless of background, ability, or need.” From hiring diverse staff to intentionally designing programming that engages kids across all age groups and interests, the summer camp reflects the larger mission of the YMCA: to be a place where everyone belongs.
The impact is clear. “We plan our days so well that by the time the kids get home, they’re falling asleep in the car,” Casey said. “That’s when we know we’ve done our job.”
This summer, the Y expects around 20 staff members and volunteers to lead the charge. Orientation is already on the calendar, and new additions are set to help reengage older campers. “We want every child, from age 4 to 13, to feel seen, supported, and excited to show up each day.”
And the work doesn’t stop when summer ends. The YMCA also supports year-round programs like ballet, hip-hop, karate, yoga, Pilates, and a new “MixxedFit” class that’s already drawing a crowd. The annual dance recital, hosted at the local high school, is a community favorite packed with proud parents and energetic performances.
Looking ahead, there’s plenty on the horizon. With space getting tighter during busy seasons, Casey dreams of expanding—even imagining a second building connected by a catwalk for events and specialized classes. “We’re not at full capacity every hour of the day,” he said, “but we’re getting there. Until then, we’ll keep getting creative with the space we have.”
As the Bertie County YMCA continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: this isn’t just a place to work out. It’s a place where the question may not always be why, but Y—and that, it turns out, might just be the answer.
