A new summer program is turning cutting-edge neuroscience into something kids can see, feel, and believe.
The YES YOU CAN! initiative was launched in June 2025 with a bold but simple focus: brain plasticity — the concept that the brain changes every minute of every day, and that young people have agency in that change.
Last summer, the pilot program — an initiative of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Grant Halliburton Foundation, Metrocare Services, Momentous Institute, and the Center for BrainHealth — served 399 youths across three models: Teen Camp, Summer Learning Academy, and Kamp K’aana, a two-week residential camp.
Its impact extended beyond campers. A total of 350 counselors received in-person training, and 340 parents participated in virtual education sessions.
The program translated science-backed tools into tangible, age-appropriate experiences that made abstract neuroscience practical and memorable.
In one activity, known as “settling your glitter,” youth watched glitter swirl inside a jar to represent racing thoughts and heightened emotions. Through breathing and movement techniques, they observed the sparkles settle, a visual metaphor for calming the mind.
Another exercise used Jenga-style collaboration games to demonstrate communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation under pressure. The goal was to show how the brain responds in challenging moments and how intentional strategies can shift those responses.
That spirit of collaboration became a defining feature of the initiative. Rather than
focusing solely on campers, leaders intentionally layered support across youth,
counselors, and parents, reinforcing what they described as a whole-child approach.
“You can’t just approach one lever,” explained Kelly Richmond from the Momentous Institute. “All ships must rise together,”
The results of the initiative were measurable and surpassed expectations.
Ninety-two percent of counselors reported that the mental wellness content helped improve camp behavior, reinforcing the idea that when young people understand how their brains work, they are better equipped to manage emotions and choices.
“I knew with the organizations helping us get the pilot started, we were going to get awesome results,” said Giselle Patterson, Associate Vice President of Community Health for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “What was completely unexpected for me was how well we worked together. There was no ego in the room.”
Planning is now underway to expand the initiative in the summer of 2026. YES YOU CAN! could potentially reach additional YMCA day camp locations, serving thousands of children annually.
But organizers’ long-term vision stretches beyond a single season. Because the YMCA serves youth year-round, leaders hope YES YOU CAN! will continue to grow, embedding neuroscience-based mental wellness strategies into everyday programming.
“We want people to know that their brain changes every minute of every day and that
they have self-agency,” said Laura Bloom Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer for the Center for BrainHealth. “When you believe you have more control, you will have more control.”
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