WELCOME TO YOUTH PROGRAMS AT THE Y

Holiday Blast 2023 Session

Registration: December 6-8

Late Registration: N/A

Session Dates: December 18-29

Group One | Opens at 7am on Registration Day

• Mel Korum
• Gordon
• Lakewood
• Tacoma Center
• University Y
• Virtual+

Group Two | Opens at 5:30pm on Registration Day

• Bremerton
• Haselwood
• Tom Taylor
• Morgan
• Virtual+

We are updating the registration process to improve your experience when registering for programs. Over the past several months we have experienced a variety of system interruptions that generate error messages and disrupt the registration process. To eliminate error messages, we are decreasing the volume of activity on the system and have created two registration groups. Please login to the system at your center's identified time to register for classes at your Y.

Yes, you are able to register for programs at multiple centers. Simply login to the registration site at the identified time for your center(s) and complete the registration process.

Access to center programs will be available as listed above. Center members who register at 7am will not have access to programs at a center with a registration start time of 5:30pm. Rather, you will need to login at 5:30pm to register for your classes.

You can either visit your local Y, send us an email at membership@ymcapkc.org or give us a call at 253-534-7800

Based on the expiration of the statewide mask mandate, masks are optional at the Y for members and staff starting March 12, 2022. We ask our community to respect and support everyone’s personal choice.

We understand you enjoy watching your kids engage in programs and are happy to accommodate parent/guardian viewing as much as possible based on capacity.

Membership is not required for parent viewing. Photo identification and standard check-in process are required without membership. Membership is required for parent participation. If the parent/guardian is involved in the class (i.e., toddler gym or parent and child swim lessons) the parent/guardian must have an active membership.

You may register for an unlimited number of classes.

Open Registration

Open registration gives our members the opportunity to register for an unlimited number of classes. Spots fill up fast so be sure you're ready as soon as registration opens!

Fee-Based Registration

During this registration opportunity, you may complete your fee-based class registration. Fee-based registration periods remain open until classes are full. An unlimited number of fee-based courses are permitted per member.

Late Registration

Late registration includes opportunities to register for all available programs. During this period, you may register an individual for an unlimited number of classes, but duplicate classes are not permitted. 

Make Sure Your MyCommunity Account Is Active

Confirm in advance that the email used to login to your MyCommunity account is the same address that is attached to your membership. Opening a new account under a separate email will create registration challenges.

Be On Time

Plan on being ready prior to 7am as classes fill up quickly. Think of it like you are buying tickets to your favorite concert - the more prepared you are right when registration opens, the better chance you have of getting the classes you want!

Have A Backup Plan

In case you don't get into the class you want, it is best to have a backup class ready.

Missing Classes

During the first week of the session will result in being dropped from the class. Please communicate with the appropriate director if your child is sick or unable to attend. 

You may bring a guest to watch you in class. Please make sure the guest is 16 years or older, has a photo ID, and allow time for them to fill out a guest waiver with a parent/guardian signature.

Membership is required for active participation in all parent and child programs, including Parent and Child Swim Lessons, and Toddler Gym. Membership is not required for parent viewing. However, one non-member parent/guardian with youth-only accounts may access the Y with the youth member. Photo identification and standard check-in process required.

You can be expected to be contacted upon availability in the class. The second week of the session is when staff pull form the waitlist. If you do not hear from our team, then that means the class remains full and there are no openings available.

A full session commitment is required. If you are unable to attend a class you are registered for, please contact us here. Without communication with the program contact regarding an excused absence by the second week of the session, participants will be automatically withdrawn from the class.

View a full list of supplies to bring to class, attire recommendations, and how to inspire a creative environment for everyone.

View Arts FAQ

We offer virtual arts sessions on YMCA360. Classes are open to current Y members, with no additional participation fee.

Enroll your child for the class appropriate for their skill level. If they are new to the program, they can refer to the Gymnastics Skills Progression chart. Gymnastics Coaches assign a class level to each gymnast during the last class of each session. If you missed the last class, please refer to the progression chart or contact the director to find an appropriate level for the gymnast.

Parent/guardian viewing opportunities vary by location. Where viewing space is available there may be limitations due to capacity. We do not allow parents, guardians, or non-class participants to walk around the gymnastics floor.

If you would like a photo/video of your child doing a skill, please ask the coach after class. For the privacy of our members and staff, we do not allow parents to take photos of their child during class time.

• Bring a personal water bottle.
• Leave all other belongings with a guardian or secure in a security locker outside of program space.
• Hair should be pulled back away from the face.
• No dangling jewelry.
• Encouraged to come to class ready in athletic bottoms, tucked in t-shirt and/or leotard, and bare feet.

Girls Beginner and Girls Beginner 2: Classes provide instruction on gymnastics equipment and skills. Participants develop body awareness, improve strength and flexibility, and learn the fundamentals of gymnastics skills and terminology.

Girls Intermediate: Testing out of the Beginner 2 level required. This class builds on the basic skills achieved in Beginner Gymnastics, and further develops coordination, strength, and flexibility. Prepares gymnasts for the Advanced Gymnastics class.

Girls Advanced and Girls Advanced 2: Testing out of the Intermediate level required. This class builds on the skills achieved in Intermediate Gymnastics, and challenges gymnasts to a new level of coordination, strength, and flexibility. Prepares gymnasts for Team tryouts if that is an interest for the family.

Teen Gymnastics: An opportunity for teens to learn new skills and improve coordination, strength, and flexibility. This class is for beginner through advanced gymnasts.

Boys Beginner and Boys Beginner 2: Classes provide instruction on gymnastics equipment and skills. Participants develop body awareness, improve strength and flexibility, and learn the fundamentals of gymnastics skills and terminology.

Boys Intermediate: Testing out of the Beginner level required. This class builds on the basic skills achieved in Beginner Gymnastics, and further develops coordination, strength, and flexibility.

Cheerleading: Participants learn cheers, jumps, motions, tumbling, stunts, and teamwork in a fun and energetic environment.

Our gymnastics directors will contact members directly regarding team invitations and opportunities for tryouts.

Interested in your child joining a competitive gymnastics team? Attend the pre-team tryouts at the Lakewood Family Y. Build confidence, body awareness, social skills, and more.

Learn More

Toddler Gym is a Parent and Child Movement Education interaction program where children learn through play. We create an environment in the gym where children explore their cognitive abilities and body awareness (learning how their body moves, learning how objects move, and learning about each other). Class structure includes a safe movement exploration time, obstacle course, circle time with songs/finger play, toddler tunes, and play around safe age-appropriate gymnastics mats and equipment.

We require anyone actively participating in our programs -- independently or with a youth member -- to be a member and this includes Toddler Gym.

Toddler Gym Parent and Child classes are for ages 10 months to 4 years old.

The following is a timeline of the 40-minute class:

• 10 minutes of Movement Exploration: Participants begin with time to explore how their body moves on safe, age-appropriate gymnastics mats and equipment. Parents must be at arm’s length of child for safe exploration and interactive guidance
• 10 minutes of Circle Time: Parents enjoy interacting with their child, assisting them with songs and games. Songs will include some type of motion or finger play.
• 5 minutes of Obstacle Course: Parents mentor their child around the obstacle course. Please ensure a safe distance between participants.
• 10 minutes of Movement Exploration.
• 5 minutes of Circle Time and the Goodbye Song.

Similar to the use of exercise equipment in the Y, parents and staff are responsible for wiping down pieces of equipment that a child handles. This does not include areas where walking, jumping, hopping, galloping, and balancing occur. Staff will clean during class as needed and between each class period.

Yes. Individuals may visit the Y to observe a program or class. Please note anyone 16 and older must have photo identification. All observers must complete a guest waiver.

• Children should wear loose athletic clothing to move around in
• Hair pulled back and out of the face
• No dangling jewelry or barrettes
• Bare feet
• Athletic bottoms (no buttons or zippers)
• T-shirt that can be tucked into bottoms or leotard

We highly encourage you to bring your own water bottle. There will be space to take drink breaks if needed. Personal toys and valuables are discouraged to avoid distraction, injury and loss.

We realize families come to class equipped with strollers and larger bags to accommodate their younger children’s needs. Each community center will have a designated area for these larger items to be placed with space between them.

Preschool gymnastics is a basic introduction to gymnastics, strength, and flexibility. Gymnasts will move through tuck, pike, and straddle positions. Beginning skill introduction on appropriate preschool gymnastics apparatus, learning basic bars, vault, floor, and low beam movements.

Parents and guardians are not required to stay inside the room but they must remain in the building.

• Children should wear loose athletic clothing to move around in
• Hair pulled back and out of the face
• No dangling jewelry or barrettes
• Bare feet or socks
• Athletic bottoms (no buttons or zippers)
• T-shirt that can be tucked into bottoms or leotard

We are following the guidelines of developmental stages and offering classes by age. For example, we are offering a class for 3-year-olds to support their developmental growth through skills progression.

We have designed a comprehensive curriculum that will involve a mix of cardio, strength, and agility exercises. We will also focus on the social and emotional well-being of the participants by incorporating group activities and discussing the Y values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

• Athletic clothing – NO JEANS
• Athletic shoes – NO BOOTS WITH A HEEL
• Bring a reusable water bottle – Water fountains will not be available for use

OEE is an outdoor program at YMCA Camp Seymour or YMCA Camp Lake Helena designed for multiple ages to learn outdoor skills, learn about the environment, socialize, and be active outdoors. The Friday class is perfect for Home School students and families, but all six years and above are welcome. The fee includes gear rental and professional facilitation.

Each week we’ll do a different activity such as canoeing, marine science, archery, zip line, forest ecology, and more.

Please wear clothing to be comfortable and active in the outdoors, rain or shine.

Bring a reusable water bottle and a good attitude. We will provide any gear needed for the activity such as harnesses, archery supplies, life jackets, etc.

We do the activities rain or shine. Please dress to be outdoors regardless of the weather. In the event of snow, dangerous winds, or other weather that would be unsafe, we will contact all registered participants to cancel.

Check-in begins 15 minutes before the scheduled start time at the Camp Seymour or Camp Lake Helena parking lot. Camp Staff will e-mail you with details before the first class.

Parents must stay in the facility for all participants until age 8.

Membership is not required for parent viewing. However, membership is required for parent participation. One community member parent/guardian with youth only accounts may access the Y with a youth member for viewing purposes only. If the parent/guardian is involved in the class (i.e. participating in the zip line or canoeing) the parent/guardian must be on the active membership photo identification and standard check-in process required.

Please contact Scott Gjertson at 253-460-8890 or sgjertson@ymcapkc.org for additional questions.

No. We look to maximize our space as much as possible in the water. We ask that those on the pool deck be aware of where the lifeguards need to be in order to safely monitor the water and swimmers.

Please see the following guidelines to best determine which class to register for. View our swim lesson level guide to find the right class for your child.

We require anyone actively participating in our programs -- independently or with a youth member -- to be a member and this includes swim lessons and recreational swimming.

There is a one parent to one child ratio in Parent and Child Swim Lessons. We do not allow parents to support two children in the same class.

For all Parent and Child Swim Lessons, a parent is required to be in the water with their child. This will help us to teach your child in a safe environment while considering the spacing of students, distancing of instructors and participants, and meeting the new required guidelines for swim instruction.

We ask that everyone bring their own towel and are ready to be in the water with a required swimsuit. Cotton-style shirts and shorts are not accepted. It must be a swimsuit or clothing made of swimsuit type material, such as a dryfit shirt.

Goggles can be used for our swimmers in more advanced levels but are not recommended for beginner levels. The same information as listed above is requested for any parent that is going in the water with their child for classes.

All pools maintain the appropriate chemical levels as determined by the health department and industry standards that support a continuous cleaning and sanitizing process of our pools.

Any time that we have available for open swim is outlined on the schedules page of our website.

Please Review Basketball Leagues By Age/Division

• U-7 (5-6 years old)
• U-9 (7-8 years old)
• U-11 (9-10 years old)
• U-13 (11-12 years old)

Players participate in one practice during the week and one game each week. Games take place on Saturdays unless otherwise scheduled. 

Bremerton Family YMCA

Practice: Bremerton Family Y

Games: Bremerton or Haselwood Family Ys

Haselwood Family YMCA

Practice: Haselwood Family Y

Games: Bremerton or Haselwood Family Ys

Gordon Family YMCA

Practices and Games at Gordon Family Y

Mel Korum Family YMCA

Practices and Games at Mel Korum Family Y

Lakewood Family YMCA

Practices and Games at Lakewood Family Y

Morgan Family YMCA

Practices and Games at Morgan Family Y

Tom Taylor Family YMCA

Practices and Games at Tom Taylor Family Y

Games will be officiated by YMCA referees.

Inviting Guests

We invite all of our players to bring along friends and family to cheer them on! Please invite guests to visit after filling out a Guest Pass. The number of participants and viewers permitted varies by community center and game/practice location based upon capacity.

Volunteer Coaches

All teams are coached by volunteers. If you’re interested in coaching please reach out to the sports director at your local Y or apply to be a volunteer.

Children Ages 3-12 Years Old Are Eligible To Play. League Divisions by Age Are as Follows:

U-5 (3-4 years old)

Number of Players | 8-10

U-7 (5-6 years old)

Number of Players | 8

U-9 (7-8 years old)

Number of Players | 8

U-11 (9-10 years old)

Number of Players | 14

U-13 (11-12 years old)

U-13 Is Available at Bremerton, Gordon, Haselwood, Morgan, and Mel Korum Family YMCAs

Bremerton Family YMCA

Practice and games at Tracyton Elementary School

Haselwood Family YMCA

Practice and games at Tracyton Elementary School

Gordon Family YMCA

Practices at Maple Lawn Elementary

Games at Sumner Middle School

Mel Korum Family YMCA

Practices and games at Mel Korum Family Y

Lakewood Family YMCA

Practices and games at Lakewood Family Y

Morgan Family YMCA

Practices and games at Morgan Family Y

Tom Taylor Family YMCA

Practices at Discovery Elementary School

Games at Gig Harbor High School

How Long Are Practices and Games?

Practices are 50 minutes to an hour. Games depend on the age division but never take more than an hour.

When Does the League Begin?

Practices begin the week of September 12. Games begin Saturday, September 24 and the league ends on Saturday, October 29.

Is There Going To Be a Picture Day?

Yes, your youth sports director will send out that information well in advance so you can plan accordingly.

When Will the Game Schedule Be Released

The game schedule will be sent out to all participants and coaches as soon as it is completed, but no later than Saturday, September 17.

What Are the Rules?

Rule sheets will also be sent out via email prior to the season.

Gear To Bring

• Soccer cleats are recommended for U-9, U-11, and U-13, but not required.
• Soccer shin guards are required to play.
• Team t-shirt provided.
• Water. 

How Much Does Youth Soccer League Cost?

$55 for members and $110 for community members. Financial assistance is available.

What Is Included With Cost?

A weekly practice (whatever day or time you sign up for) and six games which are played on Saturdays. Also, participants receive a team shirt.

Inviting Guests

We invite all of our players to bring along friends and family to cheer them on! Please invite guests to visit after filling out a Guest Pass. The number of participants and viewers permitted varies by community center and game/practice location based upon capacity.

Volunteer Coaches

All teams are coached by volunteers. If you’re interested in coaching please reach out to the sports director at your local Y or apply to be a volunteer.