6 Things You Didn❜t Know About The YMCA

It’s fun to stay at the… Y.M.C.A! Village People’s hit song may have made the YMCA world-famous in the ’80’s but did you know that there is a YMCA near you that is just as action-packed with activities than it was when the song blasted the charts.

What you might be interested to discover, is that you have a local YMCA near you, and boy-oh-boy do they offer some fantastic opportunities and activities for children and families to get involved with.

Here are six of the best programs the YMCA offers, that we bet you never even knew about!

1. Camping

Did you know that outdoor education and camping has been a key part of the YMCA since 1937! In a range of unique locations, the YMCA offers camping with modern facilities and a variety of activities lead by professional, qualified staff. Camping with the YMCA is perfect for father & son programs, school holiday camps, school camps, weekend retreats, or just about anything else! A camping adventure could have you abseiling, playing archery, canoeing, kayaking, flying fox-ing, giant swing-ing, navigating a high or low ropes course, rock climbing, orienteering, swimming, playing multi-sports, and so much more. For all your camping needs, the YMCA has you covered.

The YMCA NSW is offering am awesome adventure camp in the Autumn School Holidays. Join The YMCA at Camp Yarramundi for fun and adventure.! As well as the outdoor adventure activities, they provide a fully programmed night activity schedule — so don’t forget to bring your best costume for the Bushdance Disco! 

2. Holiday Programs

At the Y, they believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for life. Thanks to the Y’s youth-specific programs and services, more young people in communities around the state are taking a greater interest in learning, building self-confidence and making smarter life choices.  Find your Local Y today to see what Youth and Kids Holiday Programs are available.

Each centre has a different range of activities including multi-sports, self-defence, rock climbing and other unique active ideas such as parkour, commando gymnastics and tumbling. Check out your nearest centre to see what School holiday programs are on offer.

3. Birthday Parties

There are a heap of YMCA venues across Sydney that offer birthday parties. Birthday party options include themed parties (think animals, pirates, fairies, superheroes) as well as gymnastics where you can dive into a giant foam pit, rock climbing, sports & games, giant water inflatables, and the ever-popular Bubble Sports where children can play games inside a giant blow-up bubble! Kids will be harnessed inside for safety, where they can bounce, bump and roll till their heart’s content. They’re super reasonably priced, too.

4. Gymnastics

The YMCA offers gymnastics classes for all ages and levels! The YMCA gymnastics arena is the perfect place for little ones with energy to burn- here they’ll learn new skills, make new friends, and have fun. Gymnastics will help to develop your child’s coordination, problem-solving skills and confidence, with a whole range of types on offer: Kindergym, rhythmic gymnastics, colours gymnastics, GymFit, sports acrobatics, power tumbling, trampolining, parkour, artistic gymnatics and an elite squad! Gymnastics is offered at Bankstown, Caringbah, Epping, Hawkesbury, Penrith and St Ives- give it a try, your children will love it!

5. Swimming Lessons

The YMCA offers an extensive aquatic program covering swimming lessons, squad training and Aquatics for Fun, catering to babies as young as 6 months old through to adults. Kids will learn to love the water, receiving a certificate of achievement as they pass through each lesson level and continue to develop their skill set. Instructors are nationally accredited and keep parents posted on the progress their child is making, and, what we think is exceptionally important for little Aussies in particular: kids will learn surf lifesaving skills as well as personal survival skills for the pool, rivers, lakes and the ocean. YMCA swimming centres can be found throughout NSW & ACT.

 

 

6. Indoor Sports

Are you game? The YMCA has activities for children to burn off energy no matter the weather. They offer a huge range of indoor sports including basketball, netball, futsal, touch football, soccer, dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, table tennis, Oztag and multi sports. They host indoor junior and senior competitions with great facilities and professional referees, a fun and social way to keep fit and healthy at 10 venues across Sydney.