Children’s Programs (Ages 0 – 12)
Play allows children and youth of all ages to try new things, test boundaries, learn from their mistakes and enjoy being active. While active play is fun, it's certainly not frivolous.
Unfortunately, the structure and demands of modern Canadian life may be engineering active play out of our children's lives. Perhaps in a misguided bid to protect and direct them at all times, Canadian kids have lost the freedom to throw open the doors and go play.
Supporting and encouraging opportunities for safe, free, unstructured play, especially outdoors, may be one of the most promising, accessible and cost-effective solutions to increasing child and youth physical activity in Canada.
YMCA Programs allow young people to excel in their area of interest while connecting them with caring adults who nurture their skills.
Recreational Programs
Playcare Center (Ages 0-5)
Offered at: All locations
Drop your baby or preschooler off at Play Care so you can enjoy the Y. Your child will love having social time with others, reading stories, singing or doing a craft. This program supports with bottle feeding, parent provided light snacks, and children who are going through separation anxiety. Leave it to our staff to make your child feel special while in our care.
· Parents must remain in the building once their child is signed into Play Care
· If staff are unable to settle a child, parent/guardian may be asked to assist in settling the child or supporting behaviour
Play Gym (Ages 0-5)
Offered at: All locations
Ride, slide, move and explore at our kid friendly play zone in the main gym. This program is a great opportunity to play with your little ones in an open, interactive space that supports movement and motion. Parents/guardians must attend this program with their child.
Wake Up/ Shake Up (Ages 3-5)
Offered at: All locations
Children are able to enjoy arts and crafts, circle time, story time and free play in this interactive and engaging program. This program is a great way to support socialization, creative play and skill development.
Move and Play (Ages 3-5)
Offered at: Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)
Children will have the opportunity to engage in a fun positive environment that focuses on fundamental movements like running, jumping, throwing, catching, balance coordination, agility and more! Through activities, obstacle courses and circuits, participants will begin to develop confidence, motivation and competence to be active for life. Bring indoor shoes and a water bottle.
Kid’s Zone (Ages 6-9)
Offered at: Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo), and Guelph Y
Kid’s Zone is an interactive space where children will be able to enjoy a variety of planned STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) that rotate weekly – be creative, be challenged, try a craft or science experiment, play group games, learn new skills and more! Children will also enjoy themed days, special events, and foster new friendships. Check out the monthly schedule to see what’s happening in Kids Zone.
The Zone (Ages 10-12)
Offered at: Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo), and Guelph Y
The Zone is an interactive space where 10-12 year olds will be able to enjoy a variety of planned STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities that rotate weekly – be creative, be challenged, try a craft or science experiment, play group games, learn new skills and more! Children will also enjoy themed days, special events, and foster new friendships. Check out the monthly schedule to see what’s happening in Zone.
Kid’s Zone (Ages 6-12)
Offered at: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener), Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge), and Stratford Y
The Zone is an interactive space where children will be able to enjoy a variety of planned STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities that rotate weekly – be creative, be challenged, try a craft or science experiment, play group games, learn new skills and more! Children will also enjoy themed days, special events, and foster new friendships. Check out the monthly schedule to see what’s happening in Zone.
Active Kids (Ages 6-9)
Offered at: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener), Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge), and Guelph Y
Active Kids gets children moving through games and activities that encourage cooperation and non- competitive movement. Program will also explore different sports, tumbling, dance and more. Planned activities build fundamental movement skills and introduce participants to physical literacy and a love of moving, all while having fun, and making friends. See monthly calendar for special events and theme days.
Y Sports (Ages 10-12)
Offered at: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener), Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge), and Guelph Y
Y Sports is a fun and engaging way to practice YMCA core values and embody physical literacy
fundamentals. The program is a starting point to learn about becoming and staying active, and developing healthy habits for life. The YMCA of Three Rivers offers a variety of sports/activities in this program to meet the needs (and wants) of children in our communities. Included are a rotating selection of sports and activities; come try out Basketball, Scoop Ball, Floor Hockey, Gaga Ball and More!
Drop-In Basketball (Ages 10-12)
Offered at: All locations
Shoot, dribble, pass. Drop-in and come play ball with friends.
Skill-Based Programs
New Basketball Programs With Guelph Nighthawks!
Learn more about our exciting new partnership with the Guelph Nighthawks (Canadian Elite Basketball League team), and the programs we have available for 10-12 year olds and 9-17 year olds.
YMCA Basketball (Ages 6-9 & 10-12)
Offered at: All locations
YMCA basketball programs will promote healthy active living, develop skills, build self-esteem and foster a sense of belonging. Through developmentally appropriate programming children build character while staying active, having fun and making friends! Children's achievements are recognized with peers and their families through special events. YMCA basketball nurtures the potential of our kids by emphasizing fun, sportsmanship, communication, persistence, and teamwork while improving on individual skills of the game.
YMCA Soccer (Ages 6-9 & 10-12)
Offered at: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener), Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge), Guelph Y, and Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo)
Pass, shoot, and score. Children will learn soccer basics at the YMCA with age specific skills, drills, and game play with instruction and supervision from our staff. Program offers a safe and productive environment for child to learn the fundamentals of soccer as well as the importance of teamwork in a fun, non-competitive and skill-based setting. Come and build a life-long love of soccer at the YMCA of Three Rivers.
PA Day, School Break and Summer Camp
For more information about all our camp programs, please visit our YMCA of Three Rivers Camps page.
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