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.
Youth Enrichment Programs (Ages 6-13)
These are just a few of our program highlights! Youth Enrichment Programs are offered monthly for just $30 per month for members. Contact your local Youth Director for schedules, locations, and registration information.
- Dance Classes: Explore your love of dance in a fun and supportive environment! We offer a variety of classes, including ballet, hip-hop, and jazz, helping participants build confidence, coordination, and creativity while learning new skills.
- Climbing Classes: Join us for a fun and engaging climbing class where kids will spend an hour each week learning and exploring the climbing wall with the support of our trained YMCA staff.
- Cooking Classes: Young chefs will explore a variety of flavors while learning kitchen skills, food safety, and confidence in the kitchen
- Gaming & Strategy: Participants will build critical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills through engaging game-based experiences. Whether mastering strategy and decision-making in chess classes or exploring teamwork, creativity, and storytelling in Dungeons & Dragons adventures, youth will develop confidence, communication, and leadership skills while having fun with peers.
- STEAM Classes (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics): Kids will explore the exciting world of STEAM through hands-on art projects, experiments, and design challenges. Each month features a new theme that fosters creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving while encouraging children to innovate, create, and discover.
- Martial Arts: Build discipline, respect, focus, and self-confidence through high-quality martial arts instruction.
- Tumbling: Our Tumbling class is full of energy, movement, and fun! Children build strength, coordination, and confidence through guided activities that encourage safe body movement and spatial awareness. Each class emphasizes balance, flexibility, and focus while promoting a positive, can-do attitude.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Summer Day Camps
Best. Summer. Ever.™ We offer two types of camps at the Y during the summer: Day Camp, which is our full day model (7am-6pm) that allows youth to get a variety of experiences; and Specialty Camp, which is our half day model (AM and PM) that allows youth to participate in a specific topic of interest.
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.
School's Out Camp
School is out, whether it is a holiday break or a teacher in-service, the Y is in, to provide a safe, supportive environment with academic enrichment activities. The Y provides full day academic, enrichment, and physical activities to ensure parents have a peace of mind while they work and their child is out of school.
Does your child experience the world a little differently?
If your child 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.
Host Your Next Party at the Y!
Host your next birthday party or event at the YMCA! Parties include 60 minutes in a reserved space open for you to customize with decorations, food, and games. Then an additional 90 minutes will be reserved for you in a featured space such as our pool, Family Adventure Zone, or gymnasium.
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.
Program Developed in Partnership with:
How about something for the whole family?
Each Treasure Valley Family YMCA facility is proud to offer FREE family events and Kid’s Night Out activities each month. Contact your branch or click below to learn more about what is coming up in your area.
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