BERWYN, PA — The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) opened its doors to the public on June 29 for a behind-the-scenes look at its adaptive Bumblebee Day Camp, a specialized summer program for children with developmental delays and disabilities.
Hosted at the Upper Main Line YMCA branch, the event brought together families, community leaders, and partner organizations for a guided tour of the camp. Visitors observed daily programming, interacted with staff and behavioral specialists, and gained insight into the YMCA’s inclusive approach to summer youth services.
Bumblebee Day Camp stands apart for its focus on accessibility and inclusion. The program features a modified curriculum, increased staffing ratios, and counselors trained to support a wide range of behavioral and developmental needs—all offered at the same price as YGBW’s traditional day camp options.
Erin Lacotta, a board-certified behavior analyst who oversees the Bumblebee program and leads Chester County’s Rapid Response Team, emphasized the camp’s evolving design. The Rapid Response Team supports childcare providers across the region with real-time behavioral intervention, reinforcing the YMCA’s broader mission to deliver equitable care throughout the county.
“Our goal is to meet every child where they are,” said Bertram L. Lawson II, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. “By adapting programs across our association, we are showing what is possible when inclusive, equitable care is embedded into every aspect of what we do.”
YGBW is among a limited number of YMCA organizations nationwide that employ a dedicated team of board-certified behavior specialists. This expertise informs not only summer camps, but also a year-round slate of adaptive programming tailored to youth of all ages and abilities.
With its investment in trained staff and inclusive infrastructure, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine continues to build a model for accessible community engagement—where all children are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
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