Youth
Serving families has always been at the heart of our Y work. Creating engaging, active and stimulating activities can bring a family together or just give kids a safe place to just be a kid. At the Y you can find the solution that best fits your needs as a family.
7th Grade Initiative
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
Child Care
YMCA Child Care is a place for children to explore, learn, feel safe, cared for and celebrated. We encourage positive relationships between the children, child care staff and parents to ensure a high-quality experience for everyone.
Homeschool PE
Physical Education for Distance Learning Students
Ages 5 – 12
Let the YMCA be your partner in creating a time for physical activity for your homeschool child. Basic skills and drills will be taught as well as a great time to build friendships with other children in our community.
Currently only offered at the North Y location
Martial Arts
Martial Arts
Karate
Building physical fitness, confidence and respect for self and others are only a few of the benefits of Karate. Learn basics while having a fun interactive experience.
Taekwondo
This Olympic style martial art will build self-confidence while helping your child reach new goals through this worldwide, self-defense class.
Safe Sitter Babysitting Workshops
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 9am – 3:30pm (please bring a lunch)
Schedule:
- May 15 | North YMCA | REGISTER
- May 22 | Central YMCA | REGISTER
- June 19 | Valley YMCA | REGISTER
- June 26 | Central YMCA | REGISTER
- July 17 | Valley YMCA | REGISTER
- July 24 | Central YMCA | 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.
Tumbling
Introduce the art of tumbling in a fun and active learning environment. Kids build body awareness and self-confidence as Y staff guide and challenge them through a progressive curriculum, offering caring recognition and positive reinforcement.
Baby Bugs: Parent & child ages 1.5 – 3 yrs. This class focuses on balance, coordination, and skill development for parents and their tots.
Tumble Bugs: Ages 3 – 5. Introduction to the art of tumbling in a fun, active, learning environment.
Ballet & Tumble: Ages 3 – 5. A blend of fundamental learning within ballet and tumbling.
Youth & Teen Fitness
Youth Group Exercise Classes
FIT 4 KIDS: is “Fun Interval Training” for Kids that provides a great workout while teaching kids how to stay active and healthy! Class is geared around fun Intervals with various equipment which may include kids cycling bikes. Geared for kids ages 5-12. For children younger than 7, parents must stay in the class with their kids.
Kids Yoga: Yoga has been proven to have wonderful benefits for kids by increasing strength, flexibility, coordination, self-awareness, and self-esteem. Yoga poses inspire creativity (kids turn their bodies into trees, mountains and animals!), as well as provide a sense of calmness and relaxation. Yoga philosophy encourages teamwork and teaches respect, compassion and sharing. This class presents an opportunity for kids to have fun with movement and become mindful of themselves and the world around them. Recommended for ages 5-10 and grown-ups of all ages
are welcome!
Children ages 7-11 are welcome in our group exercise classes with an adult. Must be 13 or older for TRX.
Youth Wellness Center Trainings
Is your tween/teen ready to workout in our Wellness Center? Sign them up for Cardio, Strength or Free-Weight trainings, or all of them, to learn the skills they need to have a safe and fun workout at the Y. All youth 10-15 years are required to attend appropriate trainings prior to their first workouts in our Wellness Center. The first two trainings are free and required for youth wishing to access the Wellness Center for activities. Appropriate wristbands will be provided every time they check-in. A parent must also be present at trainings.
Cardio Training
Ages 10 – 15
In this complimentary one-hour training with a Wellness Coach, they will learn the proper use of cardio equipment along with the rules and responsibilities of the Wellness Center. Once completed, they will receive a red wristband and access to the cardio equipment. Youth ages 10-11 must have parent/adult present anytime they are in the Wellness Center.
Strength Training
Ages 12 – 15
Prerequisite: Completion of cardio training
This complimentary one-hour training with a Wellness Coach will focus on safe and proper form to use strength training equipment. It does not include free-weights. Upon completion, youth may use the Wellness Center without adult supervision and will receive a blue wristband and access to the cardio and strength equipment.
Free Weight Training
Ages 12 – 15
Prerequisite: Completion of cardio and strength trainings
See Member Services for fee. Up to three sessions.
This time the Wellness Coach will emphasize and teach proper safety and form when using free-weights. Once completed, they will have full access to the Wellness Center designated by a checkered wristband.
Youth Fitness Events
(check Upcoming Events for details)
Kids Xtreme Fun Run – North Y
Kids Summer Olympic Games – Central Y
Y Ninja Warrior – Valley Y
Youth Dance
Fairytale Ballet: This class will introduce your child to ballet technique and positions through fun games, songs and creative movement. Crowns, wands and tutus provided or wear your own. Ages 3 – 6 years.
Fee, locations & times
Ballet: In this monthly class your child will gain body awareness, strength, grace and poise along with basic ballet techniques. Ages 7+.
Fee, locations & times
Youth Sports
The YMCA stresses child-oriented attitudes by keeping winning in perspective, having fun, improving physical fitness, and working with the whole child. The YMCA wants the quality of play to improve in order to meet the needs of all participants whatever their ability and skills.
The YMCA accomplishes this by training adult volunteers in clinics and workshops that the child comes first and winning comes second. The key for coaches and parents is to keep winning in perspective. Competition will happen in youth sports without any external pressures. It is important to keep competition at a level appropriate for the athlete.
The goal of the Youth Sports program is to help the child grow to his/her fullest potential in mind, body, and spirit. Activity helps the body grow; thinking advances the mind; and belief makes our spirit grow.