Our sports programs develop more than skills—they develop character. We offer a variety of programs for youth and adults, including recreation and league sports. Coaches—often volunteers and including many parents—emphasize teamwork, cooperation, and developing good values.
The YMCA has been America's leading swim instructor for more than 100 years. But our aquatics programs extend beyond instruction. We also provide recreational, competitive and specialty aquatics programs for all ages and abilities, including parent-child classes, water exercise and therapy, water safety and rescue, and water sports. Programs and classes vary by location.
Youth programs at the Palo Alto Family YMCA are based around the YMCA core values of caring, honestly, respect, and responsibility. Our compassionate staff are trained and certified to work with youth to provide a safe, enriching environment. We strive to develop young leaders who build strong social skills and positive self-esteem.
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Youth Sports Programs
YMCA sports teach teamwork, sportsmanship, positive values and fundamental skills. They’re a great choice for beginners and experienced players. We ensure that every child is a winner by guaranteeing equal playing time and modifying the rules to encourage full participation and success for each player. Let us teach your child about the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in this fun and positive setting!
Visit our Schedules and Forms page for current availability and upcoming classes. |
 Martial Arts (Grades 1-6)
Beginner and Intermediate The main emphasis of this Martial Arts program is for the participants to have fun through activities that enhance coordination, agility, balance, and a cardio workout. The “cub tigers” will learn basic self-defense skills in conjunction with values such as honesty, respect, responsibility, and discipline.
Kenpo is a style of Martial Arts that incorporates hands and feet Equally. Kenpo has a number of forms with a unique characteristic of having circular and linear movements. This gives the style the versatility to be considered hard and soft at the same time.
Basketball Clinics (Grades K-8)
Sharpen your skills for the upcoming basketball season or learn a new sort. Clinics are fast paced emphasizing fundamentals and individual skills. |
Winter Basketball League (Grades K-8)
Our youth basketball program engages children in positive, fun activities that build skills, confidence and character. We emphasize fundamentals, safety, teamwork, fair play and good sportsmanship. Through age appropriate pay and values-based leadership, we maintain a non-competitive environment for all ability levels. We encourage parent involvement, including volunteering as a coach, official, timekeeper or team parent.
Little Sports (Preschool)
Our parent-child sports series is designed to introduce children to the fundamentals of a variety sports. We teach by incorporating sports skills in to well-known children’s games. Participants will be introduced to proper stretching, game practice, and sports basics and participate in their first game. |
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Youth Fitness Series
 YMCA youth fitness classes enhance fitness, coordination and socialization in a safe, fun environment. Focus is on gross and fine motor skills, balance, strength and flexibility. We use a variety of equipment including balls, parachutes, mats, bean bags and hula hoops. We provide classes for youth ages 6 months to 12 years old. Experience the world of youth fitness at the Palo Alto Family YMCA.
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Gym Ventures (Toddlers/preschool)
Gym Ventures is a parent-child movement exploration class. The room is set up differently every week providing a variety of opportunities to experience movement through climbing, rolling, hanging, swinging, jumping, ball handling, balancing and more.
Gymnastics for Kids (Grades P-6)
A fun, high energy class that teaches basic gymnastic skills, such as rolls, cartwheels, round-offs, and handstands.
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Fun and Fitness (Grades P-3)
Fun and Fitness consists of warm-up and a variety of activities, including jump rope, hula hoop, basic gymnastics, locomotor skills, games, ball handling, bean bags and parachute games.
Youth Fitness (Grades 3-6)
This group fitness class consists of a warm-up and a variety of activities, including step, slide, jump rope, hula hoop, basic gymnastics, locomotor skills, games, ball handling, bean bags and parachute.
Family Fitness (Grades K-5)
Be healthy as a family with fun, active games and activities.
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| Youth and adults learn aquatic skills which allow them to enjoy a lifetime of fun and fitness in the water. |
Youth Swim Lessons & Swim Club
YMCA Swim Lessons teach children skills critical to water safety, social interaction, fun, and lifelong fitness. Participants move at their own pace building a sense of confidence and accomplishment as the progress. Swim lessons are broken up by skill age and skill level: |
Parent/Child (6 mths-3 yrs)
Infants (6-18 months): Will have fun playing, while parents develop an understanding of appropriate infant expectations.
Toddlers (12 months - 3 years): Independently begin to explore the water using beginning stroke skills, the assistance of a flotation device, and parents.
Preschool (3 yrs - entering K)
Preschool Beginner: Will learn to move more independently in the pool with a flotation device and feel comfortable putting their face in the water. They will learn to perform the front, back, and side paddle strokes with the assistance of a flotation device.
Preschool Intermediate: Will learn to perform the front, back, and side paddle without the assistance of a flotation device. They will increase their swimming distances and learn to tread water.
Youth (entering grade 1-5)
Youth Beginner: Will learn to perform the front, back, and side paddle strokes with or without the assistance of a flotation device.
Youth Intermediate: Will learn to swim introductory front crawl, back crawl, side paddle, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke while becoming comfortable in the deep water. |
Ducks Youth Swim Club (Grades K-12)
The Duck Swim Club is for more advanced swimmers who are ready for a more challenging swimming experience.
Jr. Ducks: Will develop a more advanced understanding of Freestyle, Breaststroke, and Backstroke. It will introduce butterfly, competitive starts and turns, while focusing on both the fitness and competitive aspects of swimming.
Ducks: Will continue the development of all strokes, while focusing on more advanced fitness swimming. Youth will learn to follow workouts and understand how set and track their own fitness goals.
Advanced Ducks (Coach Recommendation): Will focus on competitive swimming techniques while still encouraging a healthy lifestyle. They will participate in drills that will focus on faster starts and turns and more efficient stroke techniques.
Visit our Schedules and Forms page for current availability and upcoming classes.
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ChildWatch
(Ages 7 weeks to 7 years)
ChildWatch exists for the convenience of facility members while they enjoy the use of the facility. We strive to provide a positive social experience in a caring and fun environment. ChildWatch is a great tool for parents to balance their busy lives and make time for personal health.
See what's happening this month. Click here to download our ChildWatch Activity Calendar PDF
KidZone
(Ages 6-12)
KidZone is a recreation room for school aged members. Kids can enjoy independent activities with other Y members while supervised by our trained staff. |
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Did you know that basketball and volleyball were invented by early YMCA leaders?
