County Leaders Visit Somerville YMCA’s Camp Sunburst, Highlight Support for Local Families

Somerset County leaders spent Thursday morning celebrating one of the community’s most dynamic youth programs. On August 20, 2026, Commissioner Elizabeth Graner and Human Services Director Mollie Greene visited Camp Sunburst, the Somerville YMCA’s 10‑week summer camp serving students from kindergarten through 10th grade.

Camp Sunburst offers children a wide range of experiences designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and strengthen essential life skills. Campers rotate through sports and games, arts and crafts, STEM activities, field trips, and swim lessons — all woven together with social‑emotional learning that helps young people grow both academically and personally.

“The Y’s summer camps provide a holistic experience for the children,” said Megeen Laska, Associate Vice President of Mission Advancement for the Greater Somerset County YMCA. “We have STEM activities, arts and crafts, sports, games, field trips, and swim lessons — a life skill that everyone should have to make the community safer. Additionally, we support the children through social‑emotional learning. Camp is an amazing opportunity for the kids to discover new things, unleash adventure, make friends, and create lifetime memories.”

This summer, the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners partnered with the Greater Somerset County YMCA to support families affected by the fires at Red Rock Preserve in Branchburg. Through this collaboration, the YMCA provided camp scholarships to ensure children from impacted families could still enjoy a full summer experience.

“At the end of the day, it’s our job to help one another,” Commissioner Graner said. “Somerset County is supportive of the Somerville YMCA’s work and their mission to provide a wonderful summer camp experience. This camp provides the families and children affected by the fires with an opportunity to create new memories, make new friends, and have fun.”

During the visit, Graner and Greene also toured one of six brand‑new preschool classrooms opening this school year. Each spacious room can accommodate fifteen students and features age‑appropriate cubbies, hand‑washing stations, and a layout designed to support early childhood learning.

To learn more about the Greater Somerset County YMCA and its programs, visit gscymca.org.

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