The 7th Grade membership offer is currently suspended due to COVID-19 requirements of limited capacity in our branches. We hope to reinstate the 7th Grade Membership Initiative when capacity limits are lifted.

At the Y, we understand that young people face many challenges during adolescence and need the support and compassion of parents, teachers, friends, and other positive role models to navigate an often daunting journey. In fact, statistics show that 7th grade is a critical time in a young person’s life when exposure to risk factors greatly increases. The Y’s 7th Grade Initiative gives kids an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive by sharing in healthy, confidence-building activities and programs in a safe setting. Our goal is to encourage teens to maintain and/or adopt healthy lifestyles at an age when they are beginning to make their own choice regarding health and wellness.

This initiative gives 7th graders in our area a FREE YMCA Youth Membership for the school year. Membership includes access to all 5 YMCA of the Inland Northwest locations which have pools, gymnasiums, teen/youth activity centers, wellness centers, group exercise classes, and more. See the branch location page for specific amenities.

To get started visit any YMCA of the Inland Northwest location to register with proof of enrollment in the 7th grade. Parent/Guardian must also sign the membership application.

• Students must complete Youth Wellness Cardio and Youth Wellness Strength classes to use the wellness center and equipment
• 7th Grade Initiative flyer
• 7th Grade Initiative information sheet
• Frequently Asked Questions

Act Six Leadership & Scholarship Initiative

Full-Tuition, Full-Need Community Leadership Scholarships to: 
Whitworth University and Gonzaga University 

The YMCA of the Inland Northwest is proud to host the Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative with Whitworth University, Gonzaga University and Degrees of Change. Act Six brings together diverse, multicultural cadres of young people who want to use their college education to make a difference on campus and in their communities at home.

What is  Act Six?  A full-tuition, full-need scholarship to Whitworth or Gonzaga Universities. Students spend their senior year of high school working with the program meeting regularly to build a cadre ready to provide support to their peers while learning about leadership, diversity, and finance management, all designed to help students succeed academically, and grow as service-minded leaders. During their time on campus, strong support continues with ongoing leadership development and vocational connections designed to inspire scholars to serve their home communities.

Eight scholars are selected per cadre each year from Spokane to attend Gonzaga or Whitworth University and the Program Supervisor, Alexis Nicholson is also an Act Six alum from the fourth cadre at Gonzaga University.

Join us on Facebook for updates on the application process and information about the cadres.

Donations for this program are graciously accepted which will keep this opportunity available to our youth in Spokane County for years to come. Support Act Six

For questions or more information about Act Six, please contact Spokane Act Six Program Supervisor at Alexis Nicholson or 509 777 9622 x 4130.

To apply for an Act Six scholarship, visit the official Act Six website.

This video presentation put together created by cadre 15 is full of powerful stories, insight, reflection, and goals of this cohort. They are so inspiring and we at Act Six are proud of the leaders and soon-to-be Whitworth graduates they have become.

The YMCA of the Inland Northwest is committed to eliminating food insecurity and hunger in Spokane County by feeding children nutritious meals and snacks. Working with USDA, school districts and other agencies, the Y provides thousands of meals and snacks, at no cost, for children regardless of their participation in our programs.

Childcare Centers:

Early Learning programs at the Central Y and Eastern Washington University serve meals made from scratch using whole foods. Young children in our preschool programs explore a variety of fruits and vegetables, enhancing their taste buds for healthy foods.

Summer Meals:

Breakfast and lunch are free and available for all children 18 yrs and younger. Regardless of their participation in our programs, any child is welcome to eat with us.

2020 Dates & Locations for Free Meal Service:

• Thorton Murphy Park and Manito United Methodist Church: Breakfast is served from 9 – 9:30am and lunch is served from 12:15 – 12:45pm
• Emerson Park and the Central YMCA: Breakfast is served from 8:30 – 9am and lunch is served from 11:30am – Noon
• Free meals available Monday – Friday through Aug 28

“Students who receive free or reduced lunch during the school year experience significant food insecurity during the summer months. The YMCA is committed to making sure the youth in our community receive the nutrition they need year-round thanks to the Summer Food Service Program,” says Connie Reynolds, YMCA of the Inland Northwest Child Care Services Executive. 

The Summer Food Service Program is a federally-funded, state-administered program. Watch to learn more. For more information, contact Connie Reynolds at 509 777 9622 x 409. Summer Meals Toolkit.

After School Meals:

All 19 of the Y’s after school sites provide healthy, nutritious snacks as part of the program. At the Central Y, after school dinners are served to all teens in the Teen Center, including newcomer children and teens from World Relief during the school year.

Homework Clubs

Offered exclusively for Northwood and Mountainside Middle School students.

Get help with homework, connect with other students and have fun!

When your student wants help with school work or class projects or needs to make-up a missed test or assignment, the homework club is the place to be after school. Adults offer structured and supervised time but make sure to add in some fun as well. After between 60-90 minutes on school work, the focus shifts to physical activity based on 5 components of fitness with games, field trips, work on community service projects and more. Snacks are provided to keep brains engaged and bodies humming.

Clubs run after school Oct – May, meeting Tues, Wed & Thurs from 2:30 – 5pm. Attendance each day is not required and no preregistration is needed but students must have a ride home. Activity bus rides home available.

Open enrollment during the school year. Inquire at Mountainside or Northwood school office or contact Adam Swensen, 509 777 9622.

Outside the Box

Students attending North Central High School

Transitioning into high school can sometimes be a scary thing. Outside the Box gives students the tools to have a positive and successful high school experience. Homework help, community building activities, and social skills are only a few of the benefits gained by participants. Give your student the chance to improve their high school journey by working with a positive adult mentor. This year, the group meets together at North Central’s Commons and will walk together down to the teen center at the Central Y.

Every Tue -Thu, 2:30-5:30pm, September – June

For more information please contact Teen Leadership Program Coordinator Adam Swenson, 509 777 9622 x 412.

Thanks to our funding partners for support of this program.

Safe Sitter® Babysitting Workshops

Ages 11-16

Better Sitters Today. Better Parents Tomorrow.

Prepare for a future of babysitting through our Safe Sitter® Workshops. Created by a doctor, this course will teach your teen or adolescent what it takes to be a safe, nurturing babysitter and how to gain the confidence to be successful. These foundational skills can be beneficial throughout life, especially in future interactions with children. First Aid and CPR certification are not included in this course but will be addressed. Fee includes a Safe Sitter Student Manual and 6.5 hours of instruction.

• All classes are held on Saturdays from 9am – 3:30pm (please bring a lunch)

See Schedule/Register

Workshops are available for your group or club. For information on scheduling a special workshop, please contact Steven Troup

Classes must have at least 5 students registered by closing on the registration deadline. If not, we will need to cancel the class and offer to transfer to a future session.

For more information, please contact Steven Troup.

Learn to avoid being a target, handle confrontation, read body language and non-verbal cues, use your voice and handle multiple types of threats. The program runs monthly. Ages 13+

Register Now

Teen & Youth Centers

Ages 12-18

Your Place to Belong. YMCA Teen and Youth Activity Centers offer a safe, friendly, and casual atmosphere for teens age 12 – 18. Each center provides adult supervision and a fun place to hang out with friends. Our staff build positive relationships with teens through games, special events and programs created by teens.

During the school year, every Mon-Thurs from 4 – 5pm will be designated as homework hour. Priority will be given to students desiring to do homework and receive assistance from staff.

See Schedule

YMCA Earth Service Corps

Grades 7 – 12,  June – August

Have fun and make a difference. A summer program designed to keep teens busy and productive during the summer break. YESC is an innovative youth-led program that encourages students to take a hands-on role in creating a healthier environment in their schools, communities, and region while nurturing respect for diversity within the natural world. Participants will be given opportunities to learn leadership skills, volunteer with Spokane PALS (Police Athletic League), work in gardens, mentor, and be mentored!

Meets at Central YMCA, Mon-Thurs 10:30am-3pm.

REGISTER (registration for 2019 is closed. Registration for next summer will open March 2020)

For more information please contact Site Director Adam Swenson, 509 777 9622 x 412.

Youth Legislature – YMCA Delegations

Grades 8-12

The Youth Legislature is a student-directed mock legislature offering teens the opportunity to develop leadership skills and explore opportunities in public service. This virtual program is a prerequisite for the official virtual session in May for the 74th Youth Legislature with teens from around the state. Learn about state government and how citizens can affect policy and law in Washington State. Learn to debate effectively in a legislative setting. Share ideas with peers locally, learning about important issues, and asking important questions. Develop leadership abilities that are grounded in the Y’s core values of honesty, respect, caring, and responsibility. Attend up to two virtual events to meet and debate with students from other area schools, and hear keynote speakers from the community.

Youth Legislature: Oct – May
REGISTER: TBA
Thursdays 5:30 at 7pm (1 hour 30 minutes, virtual)
$65 Program Member
$50 Youth and Y Member

Legislative Session: May (Prerequisite: Youth Legislature program)
REGISTER: TBA
$200 Program Member
$230 Youth & Y Member

For more information or if you are interested in getting a Youth Legislature Delegation started at your school or youth center, please contact us at 509 777 9622 .

Youth Leadership Spokane

High School Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors

YMCA of the Inland Northwest and Leadership Spokane joined forces to produce the Youth Leadership Spokane (YLS) program.

YLS is a 10-month civic leadership training program based on the principles of servant leadership and cultural competence for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. It is designed to develop the next generation of community-minded leaders by creating strong and healthy youth, and empowering them for service to each other and their community. It is a great way to get to know teens from other schools and gain the skills and connections with area leaders to become successful young leaders.

Deadline for the 2019-2020 program year is May 15, 2019. 

Go to Leadership Spokane to apply or for more information.