Youth Program FAQ

Winter 2

March 1-April 3

Late Registration: February 24-March 20

Spring 1

April 12-May 8

Late Registration: April 14-24

Spring 2

May 17-June 12

Late Registration: May 19-29

Summer 1

June 21-July 24

Late Registration: June 23-July 10

Summer 2

August 2-September 4

Late Registration: August 4-21

Fall 1

September 20-October 23

Late Registration: September 15-October 2

Fall Youth Soccer

September 13-October 30

Fall 2

November 8-December 11

Late Registration: November 3-20

Winter Camp

December 20-31

Registration: TBD

We understand our parents and guardians enjoy watching your kids engage in programs! We are happy to accommodate parent/guardian viewing as much as we're able based on state guidelines and capacity requirements. Please review these tips to set your family up for success:

• Parent/guardian viewing may not be available at all community centers.
• Where available, we recommend limiting to one parent/guardian per household to support limited capacity requirements.
• Membership is not required for parent viewing, however it is required for parent participation. One non-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. toddler gym and parent and child swim lessons) the parent/guardian must be on the active membership photo identification and standard check-in process required.

The Y is committed to following guidelines and recommendations from Washington state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Washington State requires face masks for everyone ages five years and older in indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. This always applies to all Y members and guests in Y facilities, including while engaged in physical activity.

Masks are not required for members entering, exiting, or actively engaged in the pool.

The Y’s core values are caring, honest, respect, and responsibility. We trust our members will use these values when entering the Y and engaging in activities and programs.

We have worked diligently to ensure we align with state guidelines and protocol to ensure a safe environment. Class numbers are dependent on space and square footage in alignment with guidelines. Participant numbers will vary by community center and class location.

Those on the waitlist will either get contacted in order when spots open up through cancellations or by the second week of classes after two consecutive no-shows from participants.

We are offering virtual-only arts sessions in the Summer 1 session. Registration opens June 14. Classes are open to current Y members, with no additional participation fee.

Yes, we will continue to offer our Facebook Live arts classes. Check out our arts class schedule and join us on Facebook.

Parents should sign their child up 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 Skill Progression chart or contact the director to find an appropriate level for the gymnast.

We do not allow parents or non-class participants to walk around the gym. Some community centers have a parent-viewing box that parents can watch class from which will be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.

Class participants under the age of 8 must have a responsible adult in the facility during scheduled activities.

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

• Mask required for ages five and older who are not vaccinated
• Hair pulled back and out of the face
• No dangling jewelry
• Bare feet
• Athletic bottoms (no buttons or zippers)
• T-shirt that can be tucked into bottoms or leotard

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 directors will invite participants directly to sign up for team gymnastics before the season begins.

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.

In alignment with state guidelines and capacity requirements we are only open to active YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties members at this time. We require anyone actively participating in program, independently or with a youth member, to be a member. This includes Toddler Gym.

Toddler Gym Parent and Child class is 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 exercise equipment use in the Y, parents and staff are responsible for wiping down pieces of equipment their child handles during class. This does not include areas where walking, jumping, hopping, galloping and balancing occur. Staff will clean during class as needed and between each class.

In alignment with state guidelines and capacity requirements we are only able to allow one adult per child to participate in this class.

• 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 highly encourage bringing 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

• Lakewood YMCA | Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• Morgan Family YMCA | Wednesdays
• Haselwood Family YMCA | Wednesdays and Fridays

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.

In alignment with State guidelines and capacity requirements, we are only open to active YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties members at this time. We do require anyone actively participating in the program, independently or with a youth member, to be a member. This includes swim lessons and rec swim at this time.

The Y is currently open to YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties members only. 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.

Please join as a member if you’d like to actively participate with your child in the pool.

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.

Unfortunately, if this is the case, we will not be able to serve you.

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. They must be a swimsuit or clothing made of a swimsuit type material, such as a dry fit 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.

Yes! Classes will be offered at a modified ratio of swimmers to instructors (exact numbers determined by pool capacity and age/skill ability), and each swimmer will be placed approximately six feet from the next swimmer to maintain physical distancing during class.

Locker Rooms are open! We ask that you respect each other's space and do not spend extended time in the showers or locker rooms. Staff will continue to wipe down surfaces so that we can maintain a clean environment for everyone.

Each swimmer will receive their own pieces of instructional swimming equipment that is needed for the class. All of our pools maintain the appropriate chemical levels as determined by the health department and industry standards which supports a continual cleaning and sanitizing process of our pools.

Please Review Soccer Game Times By Age/Division

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)

Number of Players | 14

Masks

The Y is committed to following guidelines and recommendations from Washington state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Soccer participants do not need masks on during competition.
• Referees can remove their mask while moving and running.
• Both participants and referees are not required to wear a mask on the sideline, though social distancing is recommended.

The Y’s core values are caring, honest, respect, and responsibility. We trust our members will use these values when deciding whether to wear a mask at the Y.

Gear To Bring

• Soccer cleats are recommended but not required.
• Soccer shin guards are required to play.
• Team t-shirt provided.
• Based on state guidelines and capacity restrictions, each player may have two spectators.
• Water. 

60-minute practices/games

• U5: Ages 3-4
• U7: Ages 5-6
• U9: Ages 7-8
• U11: Ages 9-10
• U13: Ages 11-12 (Sumner and Puyallup locations only)

Bremerton Y

Practice and Games at Bremerton Y

Haselwood Y

Practice: Haselwood

Games: Bremerton

Gordon Y

Practices and Games at Mel Korum Y

Mel Korum Y

Practices and Games at Mel Korum Y

Lakewood Y

Practices: Lakewood Y

Games: Morgan Y

Morgan Y

Practices and Games at Morgan Y

Tom Taylor Y

Practices: Purdy Elementary

Games: Lower grass field at Gig Harbor High School