Abstract
The YMCA is an organization whose main aim is to unite people of Christian faith. The basic of its work was a so-called "Four-way program", which was implemented in its work with people, including religious and educational activities and physical education.
This organization was founded by a shop assistant George Williams in London 1844. But in really short time, the YMCA spread around the Great Britain.
From Great Britain this organization spread to France, then to Netherland and Germany as well. This organization achieved great development in the United States of America.
After the WWI the YMCA spread from USA to Czechoslovakia and Poland. Here the YMCA started pretty soon to build military and later student homes.
This organization also participated in the "Americanisation" of these countries and also brought a new view of the world which came from American Protestantism. It also significantly contributed to the development of physical education and sport in Central Europe.
The YMCA was responsible for the development of basketball, volleyball and many other sports. This organization also significantly contributed to the development of permanent summer camps.
Nevertheless, the history of YMCA's physical education and sport in Central Europe wasn't systematically explored.