YMCA Blue Ridge Leaders' School
Welcome to our new website! Registration is now on waitlist for 2026!
Since its creation in 1922 Blue Ridge Leaders’ School has retained its basic philosophy of training teens to be leaders in all aspects of YMCA physical education. The purpose of Blue Ridge Leaders’ School is teen leadership development through YMCA health and physical education. Blue Ridge Leaders’ School is not a camp. Rather it is a physical education training school profoundly structured with high standards of behavior, physical participation, and individual performance.
BRLS 2026: JULY 18 - 24, 2026
Blue Ridge Leaders’ School is thrilled to return to one session for summer 2026! Leaders’ and staff from 16 states will arrive on Saturday, July 18 for a week of leadership that challenges teens spirit, mind, and body.
All participants attending Blue Ridge Leaders’ School are active members of a YMCA Leaders’ Club at their home YMCA and travel to Black Mountain, NC as a group led by their Advisor. The Advisor leads the registration process within their Club and communicates with the School Registrar.
ALERT: Any registrations after 3/1 will placed on a wait list as we assess our capacity. Advisors, please reach out to Brianne Pietronicco with any questions.
2026 Timeline
- January 12 – Materials Released
- Week of January 19 – Advisor Webinars (Wed. January 21 5:30 ET/Thursday January 22 7:00 ET)
- January 26 – Club and Individual Registration Opens
- January 26 – Counselor Feedback sent to Advisors (due February 14)
- March 1 – Deadline for all leaders and Club to be in System
- March 1 – All Financial Assistance Applications Due
- Between March 1-March 15 – Notice of Enrollment
- By March 31 – Financial Assistance Decisions Sent
- April 25 – All cancellations after this date are subject to full fee.
- Week of May 1 – Final Invoice Sent
- May 31 – Full balance Due
School Leadership Team
- Greg Hall, School Director, [email protected]
- Jeff Jaehnen, Assistant School Director, [email protected]
- Brianne Pietronicco, School Registrar, [email protected]
- Scott Farhney [email protected]
- Danny McBride, [email protected]
- Karla Creque, [email protected]
- Kendra Fuentes, [email protected]
- Mary Hall, [email protected]
- Melissa Bailey Logan, [email protected]
- Molly D’Avria, [email protected]
- Ryan Graham, [email protected]
CLUB CONTACT INFORMATION
It is important to keep our records up to date! Please use the link below to update your Club and Advisor contact information.
If you are not receiving up to date information, promptly contact Bri, School Registrar at [email protected].
