South Gaston YMCA
Youth Programs
Current Sports Programs
YMCA Tee Ball
Join us this summer for a fun and recreational Tee Ball League designed especially for our 3 – 6 year old kids! We focus on fundamentals and confidence on this twice weekly sport.
Ages – 3 – 6 years in two age divisions. 3 – 4 League and 5 – 6 League
Registration – Now through June 3rd. Late registration will encure a $10 late fee if space is available.
Practice – Four practices will take place before the season begins with the first being Tuesday, June 12th.
Games – All will be played at the Pharr YMCA on Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning Tuesday, June 26th and ending Thursday, July 19th.
Cost – $50 for YMCA Members, $75 for Non Members
Volunteer coaches are needed! Each team will need a coach to lead the way. Please contact Hobie Dunn if you are interested at hdunn@gastonymca.org.
Central YMCA Weekly Basketball Clinic
Shooting, dribbling, passing, defense, and core workouts will be the focus of this weekly clinic for 7 – 17 year olds. Instructors are all coaches and volunteers from the Gastonia AAU Huskie Optimist program.
Sessions – Ages 7 – 11 Monday 6:30 – 7:15 pm
Ages 12 – 17 Mondays 7:15 – 8:00 pm
Class fee - $30/month for Members, $40/month for Non Members beginning April 30th.
Sport Summer Camp
Join the Pharr Family YMCA this summer for Sports Camp and Gymnastics Camps! These half day camps will focus on specific skills each morning as well as be a lot of fun!
Summer Camp
It’s here! Register for Summer camp now! Full and half day camps, plus Gymnastics camps are available at each Gaston County Family YMCA location.
See our Summer Camp Page for full details.
Camp Ogopogo
Ages: Rising K-10th Grade
Whether it’s through singing, swimming, or through nature hikes, counselors at the Gaston County Family YMCA Summer day camps have led kids in developing good values—and having fun—for more than 50 summers. Camp Ogopogo is held at First Baptist Church of Gastonia at 2650 Union Road.
Registration: February – August. (Spaces are limited so the sooner the better.)
Season or Schedule: June – August
Cost:
Members – $99
Nonmembers – $119
Scholarship assistance is available but on a first come first serve bases.
Afterschool
Ensuring A Brighter Future
The YMCA provides a quality, Christian-oriented experience that is safe, fun, and convenient. Y After School operates throughout Gaston County providing care from school dismissal until 6:00 pm daily. During this time we aim to shape character by modeling, teaching, and reinforcing positive values to all students. The YMCA believes in the character development traits of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Faith. The YMCA offers two on-site After School locations and fifteen off-site locations throughout the county.
To find your school and Afterschool location, please visit our Afterschool page.
Teens Changing Gaston County
Ages: 9th-12th grades
Teens Changing Gaston County started as a teen grant board but has developed into much more. Participants of TCGC learn the meaning of philanthropy through the actual giving of their time and talents. The group is responsible for reviewing grants wrote by other teen led groups and splitting up a sum of grant funds between the applicants as they see fit. Contact Loy Adkins for more information.
Registration: May – August (Spaces limited)
Season or Schedule: August – May
Cost: $0
Middle School United Nations
Ages: 6th-8th grades
MSUN involves teens in the study of international issues. At the annual Model United Nations session, participants represent different countries and debate resolutions with international repercussions. The club culminates each April at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly for a three-day retreat.
Registration: October – December
Season or Schedule: November – Early May
Cost: $255 conference fee
If you are intersted in bringing this program to your school contact Loy Adkins at ladkins@gastonymca.org.
Leaders Club
Ages: 7th-12th Grade
Leaders Club is a teen group organized to help club members develop knowledge and skills, at the same time developing leadership skills. Leaders Club members must complete at least 100 YMCA/community service hours. Events include fun trips, socials, various trainings, weekly meetings, and a week-long physical fitness Training School. Contact Loy Adkins for more information.
Registration: Always accepting applications
Season or Schedule: Year round
Cost: There is no cost for this program.
Y-Life Program
Grades: 6 – 8 (Middle School)
We know that middle school is the most uncertain period in a young person’s life. The choices and decisions that youth make, during this time, can have a resounding impact on their lives. As the Y, we help youth explore and unlock the endless possibilities that are awaiting them, while arming them with tools to become responsible and engaged teenagers. Trained and experienced advisors inspire youth to become their ultimate person through a commitment to academic excellence, social responsibility and personal growth and development. Please contact Phyllis Davis-Brown for more information.
Session: 9 month program (school year)
Cost: Free to participants
Strengthening Families Program
Ages: 12 – 17 years old
We know that healthy living includes the well-being of the family network. At the Y, family is important and by spending quality time together…learning new skills; family relationships are strengthened, parenting abilities are improved and the social and life skills of youth are increased. By modeling new skills, in a safe and nurturing environment, family members develop increased support which leads to a greater sense of belonging and a stronger family unit. Experienced and trained facilitators assist families in obtaining healthier family management. Please contact Phyllis Davis-Brown for more information.
Session: 14 week program offered twice a year
Cost: Free to participants
Y-Pals Mentoring Program
Ages: 6 – 18 years old
At the Y, we pride ourselves on building and nurturing relationships that last a lifetime. By matching positive adult role models with young people, who need additional support and guidance, we demonstrate this commitment. Youth with mentors have increased self-esteem, improved behavior and better decision making skills. Mentors are adult volunteers who possess a sincere desire to positively impact the life of a young person. Mentors and youth spend time together weekly, in the community, and the relationship lasts for one year. Please contact Phyllis Davis-Brown for more information.
Session: On-going referral and match process
Cost: Free to participants
