Youth Development
Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen
The Y believes that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That’s why, through the Y, thousands of Erie’s youth today are engaged in programs that encourage Y core-values – character, honesty, respect and responsibility. Unique community partnerships with the City of Erie and the Erie Housing Authority serve Erie’s most at-risk, under-served kids and teens directly in their neighborhoods. In our membership and program centers, award-winning early learning & education, school age centers, summer camp, youth sports, swimming, youth fitness, leadership, mentoring and volunteerism, are all Y programs that are helping Erie’s kids and teens reach their full potential.
Preschool Programs
ChildWatch
Safe play area. Plenty of smiles. Y staff will supervise your child(ren) while you work out. Services are provided for FREE while you exercise to ensure the active use of your Y membership. Open to children 6 weeks to 8 years.
Birthday Parties
Looking for something different for your child’s next birthday party? Have a “Y” Birthday Party! What better place to have a birthday party for kids than the YMCA? We’ve got birthday party fun down to an art and our facility is a giant playground for kids eager to run, climb, swim and play (and eat cake, of course!) Party times are 2.5 hours and include one hour in the pool and one hour in the gym. We’ve got room for 15-20 kids. Cost is $100 for Y members and $125 for community members. A $25 non-refundable deposit is required.
Parent/Child Swim Lessons
These classes are participant centered and use problem solving and guided discovery teaching approach. Each program is divided into five components: personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, water sports, games and rescue. This class promotes water enrichment and aquatic readiness activities for children from six months up to three years of age. Classes held with their parents or other trusted adults.
Register Online>>
Parent/Child Fitness
A fitness program in the water where the parent works out with their child. While parents learn the basic moves of water fitness the child will work on basic swimming skills as they become comfortable in the water. Register Online>>
Play and Learn
Play and learn with your child for 90 minutes, parent (or care-giver) and newborn to 5 years old. We’ll have lots of fun learning together, singing songs, creating art, telling stories and playing. Registration is required but free to all. Register Online>>
Tumbling Tots
This class teaches basic mat skills for strength, flexibility and technique, including gymnastics and movement education. Open to pre-school children.
Register Online>>
Art, Gym and Swim
30 minutes each of art, tumbling/gym and swim classes. Open to children ages 3-6.
Register Online>>
Mighty Mites
Offered for ages 4-5 years. Different sports taught throughout the session including: soccer, basketball, floor hockey and t-ball.
Register Online>>
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Youth
ChildWatch
Safe play area. Plenty of smiles. Y staff will supervise your child while you work out. Services are provided for FREE while you exercise to ensure the active use of your Y membership. Open to children 6 weeks to 8 years.
Birthday Parties
Looking for something different for your child’s next birthday party? Have a “Y” Birthday Party!
Contact the Front Desk for more information or Register Online>>
Eastside YMCA Swim Team
Participants have an opportunity to swim in a competitive environment. The swim team competes locally with the opportunity to advance to district, state and national events.
For more information, Click Here>>
Stroke Mechanics Clinic
This program is geared towards competitive swimming. Coaches will work with swim participants to master the techniques needed to perform strokes efficiently and most effectively as well as build endurance. Class meets twice per week for 6 weeks. For more information, Click Here >>
Youth Swim Lessons
These classes are participant centered and use problem solving and guided discovery teaching approach. Each program is divided into five components: personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, water sports, games and rescue. Swim lessons build a good foundation of basic aquatic skills to develop a lifelong appreciation for aquatic activities. Developmentally appropriate activities to ensure the student’s safety, enhance the student’s enjoyment and provide consistent progressive success for the child. Ages 6 to 12 years.
Register Online>>
Y-Splash
Free water safety classes/swim lessons for kids.
For more info, Click Here>>
Tumbling
Progressive tumbling skills taught to school age children.
Register Online>>
Youth Fitness Course
Designed for ages 11-14 years. Under the supervision of trained instructors, the course concentrates on flexibility, cardiovascular and strength. After the completion of the course, youth are given a card to participate with their family and utilize the fitness center. Participants must attend each session as a requirement.
Register Online>>
Floor Hockey
This program is offered for ages 4-10 and runs January through February. The goal of the program is for players to learn the basic skills and strategies of hockey; such as: dribbling, passing, shooting, teamwork and more. The only difference is we replace the ice rink and skates for gymnasium floor and sneakers and the puck is replaced by a “hockey ball”.
All practices and games are all held on Saturdays.
Sports Leagues>>
Basketball
This program is offered for ages 6-12 and runs January through February. The goal of the program is for players to learn the basic skills and strategies of basketball; such as: dribbling, passing, shooting, teamwork, rebounding and more. Games are held on Saturday mornings and 30-minute practices are held once a week, Wednesday or Friday evenings.
Sports Leagues>>
Football – NFL Flag
This program runs August through late September and is offered for ages 6-12. The goal of the program is for players to learn the basic skills and strategies of flag football. Participants also learn about teamwork and sportsmanship. This program is also unique for the fact that instead of a “team t-shirt”, each team (and participant) gets their own team’s jersey (authentic NFL Flag game jersey) to keep as well as a NFL Flag Youth Flag Belt to keep. Games (7) are held on Saturdays and 45-minute practices are held once a week, Wednesday or Friday evenings. Sports Leagues>>
Soccer – Indoor
This program is offered twice a year (Spring & Fall) for ages 4-17. The goal of the program is for players to learn the basic skills and strategies of soccer; such as: dribbling, passing, shooting, formations, offense/defense, etc. Games (6) are held on Saturdays and 30-minute practices are held once a week, Tuesday through Friday. The 14/17 year old division do not have weeknight practices.
Sports Leagues>>
Soccer – Outdoor
This program runs June through July for ages 4-15. The goal of the program is for players to learn the basic skills and strategies of outdoor soccer, teamwork and sportsmanship. Games (6) are held on Saturdays and 30-minute practices are held once a week, Wednesday or Friday evenings.
Sports Leagues>>
T-Ball
This program runs August through late September and is offered for ages 4-5. The goal of the program is for players to learn the basic skills and strategies of baseball; such as: hitting, fielding, throwing, tagging, running to the proper base, etc. Games (6) are held Saturday mornings and 45-minute practices are held once a week, Monday or Tuesday nights.
Sports Leagues>>
Youth Summer Sports Clinics
Just the right clinic for those who enjoy sports! Youth are divided by age and will experience age-appropriate training in the technical, fundamental and game situation aspects of each sport. Learn more.
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Teens
Teen Club
Open Thursday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The focus is on leadership skills, healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. The Teen Club Room includes: Xbox Kinect and Wii gaming systems, area for tutoring, crafts and much more. A safe and fun place to hang out is what these teens are seeking and we are able to offer just that for them.
Free to all Y Members. For more information contact Missy Fuller at 899-9622 or mfuller@ymcaerie.org.
Birthday Parties
Looking for something different for your child’s next birthday party? Have a “Y” Birthday Party!
Contact the Front Desk for more information or Register Online>>
Teen Swim Lessons
These classes are participant centered and use problem solving and guided discovery teaching approach. Each program is divided into five components: personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, water sports, games and rescue. Offered for the beginner through advanced levels using YMCA of USA’s five basic components of swim lessons. Ages 13-15 years.
Register Online>>
Eastside YMCA Swim Team
Participants have an opportunity to swim in a competitive environment. The swim team competes locally with the opportunity to advance to district, state and national events. For more information, Click Here.
