Youth & Family Programs

For up-to-date information on our classes, please view the Program Guide. To register, click on the program registration link. As with all Y programs & membership, financial assistance is available.

Click here to view our current Program Guide

Click Here for Program Registration

Aquatics General Information

Program Coordinator, Laura Mills
Tel. 218-722-4745 x131 ¦ aquatics@duluthymca.org

Over the years, the YMCA has taught the joy of swimming to thousands of children and adults in Duluth. Elements taught include personal safety, skill development, personal growth, water sports/games and rescue.

We Offer:
• Programs for all levels and ages
• Progressive instruction
• Small student-to-instructor ratio
• Trained staff and certified lifeguards
• Year-round classes
• Group and private lessons

Programs Include:
• Parent-Tot (6 months - 36 months)
• Preschool (3-5 years) without parents
• Youth (6-12 years)
• Adults
• Swim Team (K-12)

Financial Assistance
• The YMCA believes that every child should be given the opportunity to learn how to swim.
• Financial assistance, to the extent possible, is available to those in need.
• Applications are available at the YMCA or in the Membership section of our website.

Swimming Lessons

The Duluth YMCA Aquatics Program is divided into several different levels and is oriented toward student-centered learning. It is designed to insure the student's safety, provide for regular, progressive success, and make the learning process more enjoyable. Personal growth, stroke development, water games and sports, personal safety and rescue are incorporated into each level.

CHILDREN & YOUTH AQUATICS:

Parent / Tot (Ages 6-36 months)
This program is a water orientation class designed for parent and child participation. The class encourages the bond of trust between parent and child and teaches parents how to guide and supervise their children around the water. The child will be exposed to basic movements.

Pre-School (Ages 3-5 Years)
The preschool swim program has four levels designed to help children progress and build elementary swimming and safety skills. Children are placed in small groups with the YMCA trained instructors. Class emphasis is on developing the coordination, endurance, and self-confidence of the preschooler.
Pre-school Classes Offered Include:
• Pike - Beginner
• Eel - Advanced beginner
• Ray - Low Intermediate
• Starfish - High Intermediate

Youth (Ages 6-12 Years)
The progressive swim program has six levels designed to help children grow personally and develop strokes and safety skills. Emphasis is on endurance, personal safety, skill development, and lifesaving techniques.
Youth Classes Offered Include:
• Polliwog - Beginner
• Guppy - Intermediate beginner
• Minnow - Advanced Beginner
• Fish - Intermediate
• Flying Fish - Advanced Intermediate
• Shark - Low Advanced

PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS:

Private swim lessons are a great opportunity to learn to swim from a skilled teacher on a one-on-one basis.
With a private swim instructor, you will:
• Achieve optimal results via appropriate drills and activities.
• Receive instruction on proper swimming technique and progress.
• Receive positive encouragement, motivation and accountability.
• Obtain the latest aquatic and swimming information.
• Build a positive relationship with your instructor
• Be able to have flexible scheduling.

ADULT AQUATICS:

Adult Swim Lessons
Adult swim lessons are for those individuals who wish to learn to swim or those who want to improve their technique. Classes have a low student-to-instructor ratio, which allows for personal instruction in each class.

Masters Swim Program
For experienced or triathlete swimmers looking for a structured workout and to improve strokes.
Tuesdays 6:30-8:00am
Thursdays 6:30-8:00am
Saturdays 7:30-9:00am
For more information, please call Laura at 722-4745 x131

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Gymnastics

Program Coordinator, Chenoa Golat
Tel. 218-722-4745 x144 ¦ cgolat@duluthymca.org

Our Facility
Our gymnastics facility is approximately 8,500 sq. ft. and offers a foam floor, uneven parallel bars, beams and a vault table.

GYMNASTICS CLASSES:

• Parent Tot (Ages 24-36 months)
This class is designed to expose tot and parent, together, to gymnastics. Although the children will use the apparatus, its use is to enhance exploration and motor skills.

• Preschool Gymnastics (Ages 3-4)
While this class does introduce children to the sport of gymnastics, our focus is to create a fun environment for children to benefit from the many aspects of the sport: balance, coordination & large/small motor skills.

• Recreational Gymnastics Classes (Ages 5 and older)
There are three levels for school age children within our Recreational Program: Rollers, Swingers and Tumblers. In that order, each class increases in difficulty.

• Boys Gymnastics (Ages 5 and older)
Boys will benefit from the many aspects the sport of gymnastics has to offer (strength, flexibility and agility). These aspects are a great base for any sport. We designed this class for boys to practice together, however, they may sign up for any class.

• Team Preparation (Ages 5 and older)
This class is designed for those who have made it a goal to join the competitive team. In a non-evasive and positive atmosphere, gymnasts will work on improving skills and putting routines together. These gymnasts will get to participate in team activities and practice competing. In this class, they will complete USA Gymnastics Levels 1-3. Gymnasts must also be registered in a Recreation Class and use this as an additional class per week.

• Competitive Gymnastics Team: Duluth YMCA “Aerials”
The “Aerials” are the Duluth YMCA’s competitive team. It consists of gymnasts from USAG levels 4-7. The Aerials compete with a group of other small clubs in the region, in a non-threatening meet atmosphere. Placement is by coach approval.

• Private or Semi-Private Gymnastics Lessons (All Ages)
Private lessons can be used by anybody interested in more practice or instruction in any area of the sport.

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Preschool Programs

• Sports Prep (ages 3-5)
Sports prep is designed to introduce children to youth sports. Through games & stations, children will learn skills that are sport specific, as well as experiencing structure and teamwork.

• Gym and Swim (ages 3-5)
Gym & Swim includes 30 minutes of fun, games and exploration on land plus a 30 minute swim lesson in our pool.

• Kids Club (ages 4 months-9 years)
Leave your children in a clean, caring and safe environment while you workout. Child care providers will make your child’s stay fun and entertaining. Adults must remain in the facility while utilizing Kids Club services. For information about hours & pricing, please see our Kids Club page on the website or view our program guide.

• Preschool Swimming Lessons (ages 3-5)
The preschool swim program has four levels designed to help children progress and build elementary swimming and safety skills. Children are placed in small groups with the YMCA trained instructors. Class emphasis is on developing the coordination, endurance, and self-confidence of the preschooler.

• Preschool Gymnastics (ages 3-4)
While this class does introduce children to the sport of gymnastics, our focus is to create a fun environment for children to benefit from the many aspects of the sport: balance, coordination & large/small motor skills.

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Family Programs

Program Coordinator, Chenoa Golat
Tel. 218-722-4745 x144 ¦ cgolat@duluthymca.org

Friday Family Nights
Join us the first Friday of every month (October-April) for Family Nights at the YMCA. Activities include: arts & crafts, family movie, snacks, swimming, basketball, racquetball, games and much more. Family Nights are a great opportunity for families to spend time together while improving their health. For specific dates and times, please view our program guide.

Parent’s Night Out (Ages 4 months-12 years)
Attention Parents! Take the night off and leave the child care to the YMCA. Activities include a pizza dinner, art & crafts, games, swimming and ending the evening with a kid-friendly movie. Join us the 3rd Friday of every month (October-April). Parent’s Night Out is open to YMCA members only. For specific dates and times, please view our program guide.

SPECIAL FAMILY EVENTS:

• Halloween at the YMCA (2009 Date TBD)
Join us for traditional Halloween games, a costume contest and sticky treats. Halloween at the YMCA is a free event and is open to both YMCA members and the community.

• Holiday Celebration (2009 Date TBD)
Join us to celebrate the holiday season. The Holiday Celebration includes dinner, entertainment and activities for all ages. The Holiday Celebration is a free event and is open to both YMCA members and the community.

• Healthy Kids Day (April 18, 2009) 1:00-4:00pm
Healthy Kids Day is a day designed to showcase the wide range of activities and sports available to youth at the YMCA. Activities include: sports & fitness challenges, snacks, swimming, program information and much more. One of the goals of HKD is to show kids that it’s fun to get healthy and to introduce them to cool activities they can do at the Y. Healthy Kids Day is a free event and open to both Y Members and the Community.

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Celebrate your Birthday at the YMCA

Program Coordinator, Chenoa Golat
Tel. 218-722-4745 x144 ¦ cgolat@duluthymca.org

To reserve your party date, please call 722-4745 x100

INCLUDED IN THE PARTY:
Every party includes two hours of fun at the YMCA! The birthday child and nine guests will be led by a trained staff person in activities in the area of your choice. Plus you get pizza, pop and birthday party cupcakes. Don’t worry about decorations and paper products-we’ll take care of that too. Just show up, ready to party!

PARTY THEMES:
• Pool Party-What kid doesn’t like to swim? Party includes one hour of open swim in our two swimming pools.
• Gymnastics Party-Includes one hour of gymnastics led by a trained gymnastics coach. Includes warm-up, stretch, basic gymnastics and a chance to use the equipment. No gymnastics experience necessary.
• Gym Party-Includes one hour of group games led by an experienced staff person. Activities can include anything from parachute games to floor hockey.

Parties can be held on…
Wednesdays 6:00-8:00 PM
Fridays 6:00-8:00 PM
Saturdays 1:30-3:30 PM (September-May)
12:30-2:30 PM (June-August)
Sundays 1:30-3:30 PM (September-May)
No Sunday Parties (June-August)

Cost
YMCA Members: $105.00
Community: $120.00
Cost includes nine guests (plus birthday child). There is a charge of $5.00 for each additional child.

For Reservations & Availability
Please stop by or call the Member Service Desk at 722-4745 x100. A deposit of $25 is required to reserve the party and reservations must be made two weeks in advance.

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Other Youth Programs

Youth Activities Coordinator, Chenoa Golat
Tel. 218-722-4745 x144 ¦ cgolat@duluthymca.org

Home School PE (Ages 5 and up)
This program is designed for home school students how are looking for a fun and socializing way to fulfill physical education requirements. Each class will include swimming lessons, team sports and games. Participants will be split up into appropriate size groups, based on age, the first week of class.

Babysitter’s Training American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training (ages 11-14)
The American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training prepares young people for many responsibilities associated with caring for infants and young children. This course provides injury prevention, safety skills, basic are, first aid and professionalism. Students get a training handbook, start-up manual and an American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training Certificate.

Running Buddies
5K Training for Adults and Youth Ages 9-17.
Running Buddies will focus on training for a 5K, building positive relationships between youth and adult participants & the importance of nutrition and health lifestyle choices. Running buddies starts May 6 and ends July 8. We meet on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00pm at the YMCA. Please contact ext 145 for more information.

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Youth Development Programs

Youth Development Director , Mark Hanna
Tel. 218-722-4745 x110 ¦ hanna@duluthymca.org

Before and After School Enrichment
What your kids do AFTER school is as important as what they do AT school. Our daily curriculum makes us a unique child care provider and sets us apart from others. We provide a mentoring relationship between your child and our caring staff that maximizes their personal empowerment, exploration and learning.

A safe setting, character values, positive role models and enrichment activities are all part of the YMCA child care experience.
• Homework Help - With our extra help, children develop a love of reading and math while building literacy and academic involvement.
• Arts & Humanities - Drama, music, art, crafts, story writing and community service projects promote self-expression and a greater sense of imagination and creativity.
• Character Development - We incorporate the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility into playing with friends, learning, and other social activities.
• Health & Fitness - We work closely with YMCA fitness staff to get children involved in many physical activities, health and wellness.

The Youth Development Programs Include:
• School’s Out at the YMCA, Homecroft, Lester Park & Lakewood
• COMPASS After School Enrichment Program at Nettleton & Lowell
• BRIDGE Summer Program