Youth Development Center
The Youth Development Center (The YDC), 302 S Loudoun Street, Winchester, VA 22601
About
The Youth Development Center offers programs such as Midday at The YDC, a flexible daytime drop-in program where families and caregivers can gather, explore, and learn in a welcoming, open environment. Youth can take part in activities including the YDC Winter Art Series: A Season to Create, ReadStart sessions, ReadStart: Spotlight Stories, Valentines for Veterans, The Money Playbook, Spring Makers Studio, and The YDC Spring Spectacular. Several of these activities include hands-on art projects, interactive stories, small-group learning, games, crafts, music, and special guest readers.
• Ages: 7–12 years old
• Price: YDC Winter Art Series: A Season to Create is described as a free program; FREE Midday at the YDC is described as free; Valentines for Veterans is described as a free drop-in event; When Women Lead is described as a free Wednesday-evening speaker series; Spring Makers Studio is described as a free, hands-on art series; The YDC Spring Spectacular is described as a free, family-friendly event; YDC Life Talks: Rooted is described as free; YDC Life Talks: Raising Kids in a Digital World is described as free
The Youth Development Center was founded in 1990, and its campus was expanded to 6 acres with 3 acres each in the city of Winchester and Frederick County through land donations from Tom and Sheila Baker and the O'Sullivan Corporation. The Gerald F. Smith Building was dedicated on December 3, 1995, the first High School Dance was held in January 1996, and the Dave and Kathy Holliday Annex was dedicated in November of 2006. The organization has entered a new chapter by moving into a historic space in downtown Winchester, described as placing its programs at the center of the community it exists to support and making them more visible, accessible, and connected. The Youth Development Center follows the inclement weather policy of Frederick County, VA public schools.
Community support for The Youth Development Center has included donations from individuals, businesses, civic groups, youth groups, schools, churches, and government agencies, as well as contributions toward a future endowment fund. YDC Winter Art Series classes and Spring Makers Studio projects are made possible by generous donors and community partners, and The YDC Spring Spectacular brings community partners together for an afternoon of games, crafts, music, and activities. The Money Playbook is taught by United Bank, and ReadStart: Spotlight Stories connects kids with community leaders through special guest readers. All supplies are included for YDC Winter Art Series: A Season to Create and are provided for Valentines for Veterans.
Last updated January 21, 2026.
• Ages: 7–12 years old
• Price: YDC Winter Art Series: A Season to Create is described as a free program; FREE Midday at the YDC is described as free; Valentines for Veterans is described as a free drop-in event; When Women Lead is described as a free Wednesday-evening speaker series; Spring Makers Studio is described as a free, hands-on art series; The YDC Spring Spectacular is described as a free, family-friendly event; YDC Life Talks: Rooted is described as free; YDC Life Talks: Raising Kids in a Digital World is described as free
The Youth Development Center was founded in 1990, and its campus was expanded to 6 acres with 3 acres each in the city of Winchester and Frederick County through land donations from Tom and Sheila Baker and the O'Sullivan Corporation. The Gerald F. Smith Building was dedicated on December 3, 1995, the first High School Dance was held in January 1996, and the Dave and Kathy Holliday Annex was dedicated in November of 2006. The organization has entered a new chapter by moving into a historic space in downtown Winchester, described as placing its programs at the center of the community it exists to support and making them more visible, accessible, and connected. The Youth Development Center follows the inclement weather policy of Frederick County, VA public schools.
Community support for The Youth Development Center has included donations from individuals, businesses, civic groups, youth groups, schools, churches, and government agencies, as well as contributions toward a future endowment fund. YDC Winter Art Series classes and Spring Makers Studio projects are made possible by generous donors and community partners, and The YDC Spring Spectacular brings community partners together for an afternoon of games, crafts, music, and activities. The Money Playbook is taught by United Bank, and ReadStart: Spotlight Stories connects kids with community leaders through special guest readers. All supplies are included for YDC Winter Art Series: A Season to Create and are provided for Valentines for Veterans.
Last updated January 21, 2026.
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