Programs & Schedules: Youth Programs

Dance

Currently, the Ventura Family YMCA offers three styles of dance:

Ballet: (ages 2 - 8)
The YMCA offers 3 types of ballet classes:

Itty Bitty Ballet- Introduces children to ballet; parent participation and engagement is required in this class.
Pre-Ballet- Is a fun class that introduces basic ballet positions and movements with the help of music and a little imagination.
Beginner Ballet I- Teaches school age children basic ballet skills with emphasis on proper technique.

Claddagh Irish Dance (ages 6 - 18)
The Ventura YMCA has partnered with the Claddagh Dance Company to offer a beginner and an advanced soft shoe Irish Dance class.

Hip Hop (ages 5 - 12)
Hip Hop students will be introduced to fun and creative dance movements and routines while listening to Hannah Montana and High School Musical.

Youth Wellness

Youth wellness classes focus on basic fundamentals, character development, and FUN! Classes offered each session include:

Gymnastics:

Tumbling Teddy Bears (ages 3 - 5)- Is a fun introductory class that teaches basic tumbling skills. Children warm up, stretch and participate in group activities which include learning how to do forward and backward rolls and walk on the balance beam with assistance from the instructor.
Koala Bears class (ages 4 - 6)- Basic tumbling skills are reviewed and practiced while new skills are introduced. Children will learn how to do cartwheels, work with the trampoline and perform assisted headstands.
Panda Bears (ages 6 - 10)- Is a beginner class for older children which focuses on the basics. Participants learn and practice tumbling skills, headstands, and take part in apparatus activities like the trampoline and single bar. The Polar Bears class (ages 6 - 10) has students practice new and more difficult skills at their own pace, including unassisted headstands, straddle forward rolls, round offs and one handed cartwheels.

Cheernastics: (ages 7 - 12)
Combines cheerleading movements, gymnastics techniques and music into one fun class.

Soccer: (ages 3 - 10)
Participants are taught basic soccer skills including dribbling, trapping, passing, and shooting in an atmosphere that promotes teamwork and sportsmanship.

Tae Kwon Do: (ages 4 - 12)
Beginner level classes teach participants self defense skills and focuses on discipline and self-control, helping your child build self-confidence. Uniform "Gi" is not required and not included.

Basketball: (ages 3 - 12)
The YMCA offers introductory basketball classes for children . Each player will learn the basic rules of the game and how to dribble, pass, shoot, and defend in a fun environment.

Racquetball: (ages 7 - 12)
An introductory class that teaches kids the rules of the game, offensive and defensive techniques, and the importance of game safety.

T-ball/Baseball: (ages 3 - 10)
Players will learn the fundamental skills of catching, throwing, and hitting. Helmets, balls and bats are provided; please bring your glove.

Flag Football: (ages 7 - 11)
Children will learn how to throw and catch a football, offensive and defensive plays, and sportsmanship all while having fun.

Fitness

Kidz Yoga
Yoga isn't just for adults anymore. Our yoga class will help children improve balance and coordination and gain flexibility.

Strength Training
Participants between the ages of 9 and 13 will learn and understand the components of physical fitness. The program includes a cardiovascular workouts and endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility exercises led by a Fitness Trainer. For more information on when sessions are offered and costs please contact the Welcome Center.

Arts & Humanities

The Ventura Family YMCA offers beginner art classes every session for children ages 6 and up. New projects are frequently introduced and participants paint, draw, and create wonderful pieces or art to take home.

DRAMA CLASS
Our drama program runs throughout the year. Each session allows children to practice script work and participate in improvisational games.

SUMMER DRAMA PROGRAM
This YMCA program is a great way to introduce your child to the wonderful world of drama. They will practice line rehearsals, learn stage movements and take part in a final performance of The Pinafore Pirates which they will present on stage. Come have a memorable time and meet a new cast of friends!

Ages: 6 and up

Dates: June 23rd – August 16th (No Class Friday, July 4th)

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Last summer's production the "Adventures of Tom and Huck" was broadcast on CAPSTV.

Youth Sports Leagues

Check out our exciting leagues designed for boys and girls. They will feature a weekly practice and a game with emphasis on fundamentals, teamwork, sportsmanship, having fun, and lots of playing time for all! All players receive a team shirt or jersey and an end of season trophy. Our current yearly schedule includes:

Spring Basketball League (Registration until March 10th)
T-ball/Softball (Registration begins April 7th)

Schedule and Registration Packet

Registration is currently taking place for our 3rd Annual Coed Summer T-ball/Slow Pitch Softball League (ages 3 – 12). Practices and games will both be held on Saturday mornings and early afternoons at Anacapa Middle School beginning June 21st. All participants will learn fundamental skills, be part of a team, have fun, and get a YMCA team shirt, hat and an award for participating.

Fall Basketball (Sept - November)
Indoor Soccer (December - February)

SUMMER SPORTS CLINICS

The Ventura Family YMCA is offering a variety of week long sports clinics for children ages 4 - 16. YMCA summer sports clinics are introductory sports programs designed to promote fun and skill
development. Participants will be given instruction on a specific sport or group of sports, receive a nutritious snack and have a great time. YMCA youth programs staff will teach basic sports skills, enforce our Character Counts! Program and model YMCA core values.

Kickers Soccer Clinic - Three age groups are offered for this fun soccer clinic: ages 6-8, 9-12, & 13-16. Players will practice footwork, ball control, and participate in daily scrimmages and other games.

Itty Bitty Sports Clinic - For children ages 4-5 and consists of 2 days of soccer, 2 days of basketball, and 1 day of t-ball. Children will learn the basics in three different sports while making new friends and having fun.

Sports Mix Clinic - Focus is placed on a different sport each day (ages 6-8, 9-12). Participants will be introduced to basic skills related to basketball, soccer, flag football, baseball, and field hockey.

HomeSchool Program

Due to popular demand the YMCA has teamed up with numerous homeschool programs and parents to provide a variety of activities that allow students earn their P.E. credits while learning a new sport or learning how to swim, all during a normal school day.

A note from the Aquatics Center........

It may be surprising for some to see the pool packed full of 4-12 year olds at ten in the morning on a Tuesday. This isn’t an abnormal Tuesday for the aquatic staff at the YMCA. Each session, we teach over 40 participants to swim who are home-schooled. Students earn their P.E. credits while learning to swim, all during a normal school day. The flexibility in scheduling allows parents to get all the schoolwork done, including physical activity before 3:00 PM.

Many families have made YMCA swimming a part of their weekly routine. The Bowman Family, Grant age 15 and Galen age 10, have been participating in our home school classes since they began last year. Joni Bowman adds, “The YMCA's offering of home-school classes has been a wonderful opportunity for my children to make great progress with their swimming skills. With this schedule we can fit in multiple classes per week of swimming in the morning and still have time in the afternoon schedule for other fun and fitness related offerings the Y has available. I am very grateful to the Y for giving us more options for our children to explore new ways to be physically active.” Grant has quickly moved up through our swim lessons and is now a member of our Dolphin Swim Team. The enthusiasm of the Bowman family is mirrored in many of our participating families.

Each new session brings new faces, new children that join our YMCA family. Swim instructors really enjoy the schedule as well. “I was really surprised to see how popular the 10:00 classes I teach are,” states instructor Cathy Bryant.

Home school classes are held Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at 10:00 am and also Wednesday’s at 2:15 pm. While the schedule is geared to those that are home schooled, anyone is able to register for these classes. “I have many four and five year olds in my classes that have not started kindergarten yet. These classes work perfect for their parents too,” says Bryant.