Teen Activities
Teen activities at the Y offer a wide range of opportunities for social connection, skill development, and personal growth. Programs include leadership clubs, fitness classes, sports leagues, volunteer opportunities, and creative workshops. Participating in these activities helps teens build confidence, make new friends, and develop valuable life skills like teamwork, responsibility, and goal setting.
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.
Click the links below to find some of our current offerings for teens:
Each YMCA also hosts various classes, events, and gatherings for teens. Talk to your Y facility about upcoming programs for your teen.
Class and Gathering Categories:
- Arts and Creativity
- Science and Technology
- Athletics
- Life Skills and Leadership
Program Highlights:
- Interactive Workshops: Hands-on activities in a variety of subjects.
- Community Building: Opportunities to connect and collaborate with peers.
- Skill Development: Focus on enhancing both academic and life skills.
- Fun and Engaging: A balance of learning and play to keep participants motivated and excited.
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
Youth in Government
2025 State Conference – April 23-24th, 2025.
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
- 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 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 Caldwell YMCA. Contact Sam Bellis at sam.bellis@ymcatvidaho.org for more information.