Teen Activities
At the YMCA, teens will discover more than just a place to work out—they’ll find a community that supports their growth, passions, and goals. Whether it’s making new friends, building leadership skills, staying active through sports and fitness, or getting involved in meaningful volunteer opportunities, the Y offers a safe and welcoming space where teens can be themselves and thrive. With programs designed just for them, membership at the YMCA opens the door to confidence, connection, and a future full of potential. Teen Enrichment Activities are available for Y Members at only $30 a month! Contact your Youth Director to learn more.
Teen Enrichment Programs (Ages 13-17)
Whether they’re navigating the outdoors, cooking up something delicious, diving into fantasy worlds, or leading their own teen events, our programs are designed to inspire creativity, build confidence, and create unforgettable experiences! Program sessions are held monthly and offered at only $30 a month for members!
- Land Navigation & Geocaching: Teens will master real-world navigation skills and put them to the test in thrilling weekly geocaching adventures.
- Dungeons & Dragons Night: Young adventurers will team up for an epic night of imagination, teamwork, and storytelling—no experience needed!
- Teen Advisory Committee (Downtown): Teens take the lead in planning events and activities just for them in this fun, empowering volunteer group. Participation in the Advisory Committee is FREE for teens!
- Teen Cooking Series: Budding chefs will learn essential kitchen skills and whip up tasty recipes in this hands-on, confidence-building class.
- Nerf Wars: Kids will gear up, strategize, and dive into high-energy Nerf battles that promote teamwork, movement, and fun!
- FREE Teen Nights: Teens can hang out, connect, and enjoy exclusive activities, just for them and FREE for Y members!
Sports and Fitness
Youth sports are offered year-round at the Y through seasonal leagues, specialty camps, and ongoing training for advancement in particular areas, including Dance, Cheer, and Tumble, and Martial Arts. Click here to learn more about our YMCA sports offerings and training philosophy.
Teens and pre-teens are also invited to join us for Youth Strength Training, where they will learn safe usage of fitness equipment and proper etiquette on the fitness floor, or Youth Sports Conditioning to focus on balance, agility, coordination, speed, stamina, endurance, flexibility, athleticism, and core strength.
Leaders in Training
The Y offers a Leader In Training (LiT) Program for teens (ages 14+) seeking volunteer work experience. The LiT program provides teens a deeper look into leadership, managing projects under the supervision of Y staff, and helping to facilitate a wide variety of activities for kids. LiTs help to impact children by being positive role models and mentors. LiTs who complete 100 hours will be eligible to receive a $750 stipend. Schedules are flexible and will be decided between the Supervisor and LiT.
Eligibility:
- At least 14 years old
- A desire and interest in working with children
- A desire to help facilitate STEM education, art projects, physical activity, camp songs, board games, and more
- A desire to further workplace skills
- Capacity/commitment to complete 100 hours over the summer
Apply for the summer 2025 LiT session by filling out the form at this link.
Questions? Contact: daycamps@ymcatvidaho.org
Job opportunities for teens
Are you a teen who is ready for more responsibility and leadership development? We are proud to be one of the top employers for teens with top-of-the-line training, mentorship, leadership opportunities, and competitive pay!
Does your teen experience the world a little differently?
If your teen is neurodivergent—whether they’re navigating ADHD, autism, sensory differences, or other unique ways of thinking—our THRIVE programs are designed to support their strengths, foster connection, and help them flourish.
Learn more about how THRIVE creates inclusive, empowering spaces for youth to grow socially, emotionally, and creatively.
Youth in Government
Youth in Government, a national YMCA program, empowers students from every corner of the U.S. by giving them the opportunity to learn about—and experience—government policies and methodologies firsthand. This unique program is made up of thousands of teens nationwide in state-organized, model government programs. Participants immerse themselves in experiential civic engagement, debate issues that affect citizens in their state and even propose legislation. The program culminates with teens serving as delegates at their state conference, debating bills on the floor of the legislature.
Idaho’s YMCA Youth in Government is the second-longest running conference in the United States. The first conference was held in 1936.
The state is divided into four regions: North Central, South Central, Southeast, and Southwest. Each region has high schools or YMCA branch delegations and holds a regional conference before the state conference to elect officials and appoint Supreme Court counsels to represent the region at the state conference.
Each school or YMCA branch holds monthly meetings to learn about the three branches of government and how each work to pass and enforce laws. All schools and YMCA branch delegations participate in a state conference running a model legislative session and Supreme Court.
Idaho’s YMCA Youth in Government program is open to high school students (grades 7–12) in every community in Idaho. Youth delegations must represent either a school or a YMCA group. The following Idaho schools currently have Youth in Government chapters:
- Oakley High School
- Clearwater Valley High School
- Bear Lake High School
- Leadore High School
- Centennial High School
- Caldwell High School
- Borah High School
- Capital High School
- Lake City High School
- Grangeville High School
Youth in Government offers the opportunity for young people to:
- Research local, state, and national issues of concern.
- Analyze and organize information to propose change.
- Engage in dialogue with students across state and national locations.
- Skill building in communication, leadership, and community engagement.
If your school does not have a chapter and you’re interested in getting involved, there are also chapters at the Downtown Boise YMCA and the Caldwell YMCA. Contact Andrew Fletcher at andrew.fletcher@ymcatvidaho.org for more information.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS
CALDWELL FAMILY YMCA
Chris Sutherlin
Youth & Family Enrichment Director
3720 S Indiana Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605, USA
208-459-2498 ext. 654
DOWNTOWN BOISE YMCA
Kersey Alstrom
Youth & Family Enrichment Director
1050 W State St, Boise, ID 83702, USA
208-344-5502 ext. 222
TOMLINSON SOUTH MERIDIAN YMCA
Alex Adams
Youth & Family Enrichment Director
5155 S Hillsdale Ln, Meridian, ID 83642, USA
208-331-9622 ext.532
WEST BOISE YMCA & BOISE CITY AQUATIC CENTER
Megan Schultz
Youth & Family Enrichment Director
5959 N Discovery Way, Boise, ID 83713, USA
208 377-9622 ext. 441