Youth Activities

The YMCA is committed to youth development because we believe in nurturing the potential of every child. By providing a wide range of programs—from sports and arts to leadership and education—the Y helps young people develop essential life skills, build confidence, and form positive relationships.

Youth Enrichment Activities are available for Y Members at only $30 a month! Contact your Youth Director to learn more.

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Youth Enrichment Programs (Ages 6-13)

Program sessions are held monthly and offered at only $30 a month for members! These are just a few of our program highlights, click here for more information on activity locations, schedules, and how to register, or contact your local Youth Director.

Cooking Series: Young chefs will explore a variety of flavors while learning kitchen skills, food safety, and confidence in the kitchen.
Creative Arts Program: Kids will unleash their imagination and explore new artistic techniques each session through a variety of fun, hands-on mediums.
Engineering & Design: Budding engineers will build bridges, machines, and more while learning how creativity and problem-solving shape the world around us.
Land Navigation & Geocaching: Learn real-world navigation skills like map reading, compass use, and GPS tracking, then put them to the test in weekly geocaching adventures.
Nerf Wars: Get ready for action-packed fun as kids strategize, team up, and battle it out in a safe, high-energy Nerf arena.
STEM Explorers: Each month brings a new STEM theme where kids build critical thinking and teamwork skills through exciting, hands-on experiments and challenges.
Swiftie Night: Celebrate all things Taylor Swift with music, crafts, trivia, and dancing in a night full of fun for young fans!
Youth Climbing: Take your climbing to the next level and learn to belay in this month-long course led by experienced YMCA staff.

Class Times and Locations

8/15/24Downtown YMCA file art for August 2024Kyle Green/YMCA

School Age Child Care

Are you looking for ongoing before & after school childcare or options for your child when school is not in session? YMCA childcare provides your children with academic enrichment activities that help them make new friends, do better in school, enjoy more physical activity, and develop new skills.

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Youth Spaces at Your YMCA

KidZone (Ages 0-6)

At the YMCA, we know how important it is for parents to have time to focus on their wellness. Enter KidZone, a safe, clean, and nurturing space for little ones ages six weeks to six years.

While parents and teens enjoy a workout, swim, or class, our trained staff will care for children in an engaging environment filled with age-appropriate toys, activities, and plenty of smiles.

For everyone’s safety, parents and guardians are required to remain on-site while their child is in our care.

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Youth Activity Center (Ages 6-13)

The Youth Activity Centers (YAC) are the ultimate hangout spots for kids ages 6-13, where fun meets friendship and learning happens naturally.

While parents hit the gym, take a class, or just enjoy a moment of Zen, kids will be busy socializing, playing games, and diving into creative activities, all in a safe, supervised space. It’s a win-win for the whole family!

Click below to see YAC hours at your facility or contact your Youth Director to learn more.

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Youth Strength Training

Ready to help your child take the next step in their fitness journey? Our Youth Strength Training program is a FREE dynamic 60-minute group session led by a Certified Personal Trainer, where kids ages 10-14 will learn how to safely and confidently use fitness equipment, follow proper gym etiquette, and build healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Upon completion of the class, participants ages 10-11 will be cleared to work out independently in designated areas of the fitness floor (required for this age group), while 12-14-year-olds are strongly encouraged to attend Youth Strength Training for added confidence and safety.

Please note: the Weight Room is always reserved for members 15 and older.

Class Times and locations

Specialty Camps

Speciality camps and programs provide kids with a chance to try something new, explore their community, make new friends, or develop a skill. Check out our seasonal program guides for upcoming youth camps and activities.

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Youth Sports

Sports are a great way to introduce your child to teamwork, sportsmanship, and the importance of healthy living. Y sports instill the values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility, in a fun, supportive atmosphere.

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School's Out Programs

At the YMCA, we want to make sure every child feels welcome and has a safe space to learn and grow. We offer both before and after care for school age children as well as programs and childcare when area schools are closed.

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Everyday Leadership

Everyday Leadership is a collaborative effort created by the Treasure Valley Family YMCA to provide 4-6 grade students in Boise and Caldwell with the skills and confidence they need to lead in their schools and reach their potential.

The program started in 2013 at Grace Jordan Elementary and is currently in 11 schools in Boise and Caldwell, including: Grace Jordan Elementary, Garfield Elementary, Morley Nelson Elementary, Taft Elementary, Koelsch Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Washington Elementary (Caldwell), Hawthorne Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Whitney Elementary

Achieving Results

Through the Everyday Leadership program, families and teachers have noted improvements in participating students. This includes:

• 87% of participating students improved their grades above a 3.5 GPA
• All students increased their grades above a 2.5 GPA
• Behavioral incidents declined by 65%
• Families reported participants adopting leadership skills
• Educators report that participants positively influence the behavior of other students

A GREAT NEED IN IDAHO

Low-income youth are 19x more likely to drop out of school compared to their peers
40-60% of Treasure Valley students come from low-income families
Idaho’s 2021 high school graduation rate fell to 80.1%, and remains one of the lowest in the nation
Only 42% of Idaho’s workforce has a post-high school certificate or degree
High school dropouts make up more than 80% of the incarcerated population, according to a study from Northeastern University

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Weekly meetings between October and April
Lessons and activities on leadership, teamwork, communication, goal-setting, conflict resolution, and decision making
Student-directed community service projects
Leadership opportunities for returning students
Mid-year and end-of-year celebration

Opportunity for Change

The Everyday Leadership program is sponsored by the Boise Sunrise Rotary Club, Boise Metro Rotary Club, and Caldwell Rotary Club. Additional donations and sponsorships from businesses, civic organizations, foundations, and individuals help sustain this important program.

If you know a school in the Treasure Valley that may be interested in an Everyday Leadership club, you’re interested in donating, or you want to learn more, please email communityprograms@ymcatvidaho.org.