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, underserved 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 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 7 years.
Birthday Parties
Looking for something different for your child’s next birthday party? Have a “Y” Birthday Party! Contact Simon Teska, (814) 868-0867, ext. 272 or steska@ymcaerie.org for availability and pricing.
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>>
Dance Classes – Ballet I
Children learn the fundamentals of Romantic Style Ballet. Download current class schedule. Be sure to check our schedules/leagues page for special workshops and related programs.
Tumbling
Progressive tumbling skills taught to school age children. Not available during the Summer Session. Register Online>>
Art, Gym and Swim
The Art, Gym and Swim program includes 30 minutes each of art, tumbling/gym and swim classes. Each portion of the class is 30 minutes in length. Not available during the Summer Session.
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 7 years.
Birthday Parties
Looking for something different for your child’s next birthday party? Have a “Y” Birthday Party! Contact Simon Teska, (814) 868-0867, ext. 272 or steska@ymcaerie.org for availability and pricing.
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 for kids. Held each summer. Click here for 2012 Schedule.
Dance
A basic dance class designed for beginners. Teaches creative movement through tap, jazz and ballet techniques. Ages 4-11 years. Winter 2013 schedule. Register Online>>
Cheer & Dance Camps
A variety of cheer and dance camps get kids moving in a fun and creative camp experience. Kids gain confidence and build self-esteem. Summer 2013 schedule
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 able to participate with their family and utilize the lower fitness center. Participants must attend each session as a requirement. Register Online>>
Family Fitness Classes
Families with kids 9 & up exercise together in the Comfort Zone. Cardio/Strength work out uses machines such as bikes, recumbent steppers, treadmills and strength machines. Classes are one hour long and registration is required. Schedule available here.
Youth Sports
Become a Sponsor for Youth Sports Programs. Click Here to Find Out More
Basketball
Offered to boys and girls ages 6-12. Teaching the basic skills and strategies of basketball. Seven games held on the weekends and eight weekday practices.
Program begins in January and runs into March. Sports Leagues>>
Football – NFL Flag
Offered to boys and girls ages 6-14. Teaching the basic skills and strategies of the great game of football. Seven games all played on Saturdays. This program begins in August and runs into early October. Sports Leagues>>
Hockey
This program teaches the basic skills and strategies of ball hockey. Volunteer coaches instruct children on team work, sportsmanship and cooperative play. Offered to 4-7 year olds. Registration begins in late November and goes until December 26th.
The program begins the second week of the new year. Sports Leagues>>
Kickball – Outdoor
Non-competitive summer program with games played outside once per week. Participants learn team play and develop sports skills while having fun. Ages 4-12. Sports Leagues>>
Soccer – Indoor
This non-competitive program is offered in late fall and early spring months to ages 4-12. Teaching the basic skills and strategies of indoor soccer. Practices and games each week. 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
Birthday Parties
Looking for something different for your child’s next birthday party? Have a “Y” Birthday Party! Contact the front desk for availability and pricing. 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>>
Friday Night Variety Night – Teen Sports Program
Teens beat the Friday night boredom because the Y has the answer to “there’s nothing to do”. In a fun and supervised teen environment, teens join up in games of volleyball, soccer, basketball, kickball, dodgeball, lacrosse and possibly more. The focus is on recreation rather than competition. Not to mention, they’ve put the cell phone down and made some new friends – who they might text later! This program is ongoing; there’s no registration deadline. Cost is free for Y members/non-members $58. Schedule
Reach For a Star
This class will invite and guide youth participants to discover their inner beauty through various self awareness and confidence techniques. Yoga, movement, art, and journaling will be used as participants build their inner self, so they may feel strong and confident. Click for more information.
