By Susan Hickey

Choosing a place for your child to participate in sports isn’t always easy.  There is a lot to consider, from location to cost and everything in between.  Luckily, our Dayton YMCAs offer a wide variety of sports opportunities for a large range of ages at an affordable cost.  From soccer to swim team, parents can feel confident that their children will have a positive experience while learning new skills and making friends.

Different YMCA branches offer different sports at various times throughout the year.  For example, Coffman YMCA offers basketball starting in November through January, but West Carrollton YMCA delays basketball until January.  This allows parents more choices when determining what sport best fits their schedule throughout the year.  Also, all locations offer different varieties of sports.  Did you know, for example, that Preble County YMCA and Kleptz YMCA both offer floor hockey, and Coffman YMCA offers lacrosse?

Regardless of what sport your child might be interested in, the philosophy is the same.  The goal of YMCA sports programs is to help each participant grow physically, mentally and spiritually. Attention is given to teaching the values of good sportsmanship, teamwork, and skill development while having fun.  It’s a wonderful way to introduce a child to a sport in a low-stress, low-anxiety environment. 

Each sport is organized by age, starting as early as age 3, and many are co-ed.  Parents who volunteer their time to help coach teams are provided with a coaching handbook to help them reinforce the YMCA principles of teamwork, respect, caring and sportsmanship.  Prior to each sporting event, the athletes are asked to recite (with prompts) the Youth Sports Pledge to help cement those ideas and keep the emphasis on good sportsmanship.  All kids will play and get a chance to practice their newly-developed skills.  Finally, at the end of the season, each child will receive a participation award.  This helps ensure that the kids finish the season in a positive manner. 

Don’t let cost hold you back.  The YMCA sports programs are some of the most affordable in our area, and for those who have financial needs, scholarships are available, thanks to the Extra Hands program. 

Overall, sports programs at the Dayton YMCA are a great opportunity for our kids to find a sport they love to help them develop an active lifestyle.