Teens
Find Teen Programs & Activities
At the Avondale Meadows YMCA, we offer programs and activities geared to help teens gain personal growth, find their inner leadership, and to think beyond themselves through service to others and social development.
We want to create an environment where teens are able to recognize their potential and take the initiative to become involved in their community where they can make a difference. At the Y, teens have multiple opportunities to meet their educational goals as well as to learn the skills needed to become responsible adults and lead by setting good examples. But it’s not all work and no play for our Y teens as we afford time for recreation, socialization, and special themed activities such as basketball, cooking, music, and swimming. Step inside and find a teen program just right for you.
Unless otherwise noted, please visit the Member Services Desk for registration information.
Leadership
Teens Build Foundation to Achieve Educational Success
The Y-Achievers program helps young people identify what success means to them and what steps they need to take to achieve their goals. Y-Achievers will become aware of the wide variety of post-secondary options available, including college, vocational training, and military service. Youth will develop a positive vision for the future while researching a variety of career paths, understanding personal strengths, and navigating financial aid systems. The program will have one Zoom meeting per week. All programs will also use Google Classroom along with the Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.).
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Leaders Club is a, leadership-development program for middle school young people with direction from adult advisers. This program provides teens with leadership training and volunteer opportunities that support YMCA programs and services to the community. The program will have one Zoom meeting per week. All programs will also use Google Classroom along with the Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.).
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Teens (Grades 7-12) Practice Democracy and Civic Engagement
YMCA Youth and Government is a program of the YMCA that involves thousands of teens nationwide in local or state-organized model-government programs. Students from every corner of the U.S. have the opportunity to immerse themselves in experiential civic engagement and to, quite literally, practice democracy. The program is separated into middle school and high school components.
Youth and Government students gain confidence; leadership skills, develop the art of public speaking and the ability to accept defeat without discouragement. They learn to organize ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively. Students have a better understanding of the workings of the government; foster an understanding of other’s problems and understand the concept of unity as it applies to the political process.
Objectives:
- To provide training and experience in understanding the legislative process
- To develop critical thinking and analytical abilities
- To provide active participation in the legislative process
- To develop interpersonal communication skills
- To provide awareness of social issues and their possible solutions
- To provide opportunities to hear and respect varying viewpoints
- To encourage active participation in political and public affairs
Activities:
- Leadership training
- Public speaking and critical writing workshops
- Community activism, civic engagement, and applying political leverage
- Academic enhancement through the development of research, reading, and writing skills
This is a program of The Indiana State Alliance of YMCAs. More information can be found at indianayg.org
or, please contact:
- Avondale Meadows YMCA – Chris Tolliver – 317.549.9622
- Baxter YMCA- Kenny Daniels – 317.881.9347
- Benjamin Harrison YMCA Harrison – Amber Miller – 317.547.9622
- Hendricks Regional Health YMCA – Alysson Baise – 317.273.9622
- OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA – Janaule Bennett – 317.297.9622
- Ransburg YMCA – Amanda Finch – (317) 357-8441
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Teens Experience Leadership First-Hand at the YMCA
Come discover the leader in you at the Y! Teen Leaders Club provides youth the opportunity for leadership training, personal growth, service to others and social development. Clubs will coordinate and implement service projects, collaborations within their community, college and career exploration, volunteer and fundraising opportunities. Teens lead their club, with adult guidance and mentorship. Learn leadership through community and school service. The Teen Leaders group meets twice a month to discuss and plan upcoming service projects, fundraisers, and Teen Night Events! Teens also have the opportunity to attend state-wide conferences and go on fun trips!
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Teens, Join the Advisory Council and Have Your Say
The YMCA Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a structured youth-led governance body that serves the mission of promoting and improving teen programming throughout the Avondale Meadows YMCA. YAC determines program direction, provides input on policy and plans fundraising events and activities.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Teen Sports
The YMCA Youth Basketball Leagues are designed to give participants the chance to develop their knowledge and skills in a positive and highly instructional environment.
League will focus on skill development and the fundamentals of basketball. All games will be played at your local YMCA Center; however, participants in our Travel Basketball Leagues will play games at other YMCA locations. Previous basketball experience necessary for the Travel League.
View Days & TimesYouth participating in basketball activities can be a great form of exercise that also helps form team-building skills and a sense of community.
Whether it’s practicing drills and free throws or perfecting your layup, the Y has the best basketball experience for you and your family.
View Days & TimesAll skill levels welcome in this Recreational Volleyball program
Have fun while learning the rules of the game, developing new skills and learning to play as a team. Program focus will be on overall player development.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Pickleball is an fun and easy-to-learn game that all ages can enjoy.
Combining aspects of tennis and ping-pong, Pickleball consists of rallies over a short net. This addicting game takes only minutes to learn, but can be a competitive and challenging sport for more serious players.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Basketball Clinics
Interactive skill development lead by the YMCA’s best youth basketball coaches. YMCA basketball clinics will help prepare your athlete for wherever basketball will take them, by developing a “love” of the sport. Through positive reinforcement, skill development, and coach interaction our clinics will enhance each player’s desire for basketball, while teaching proper techniques for future achievement. Athletes will run through various skill drills to improve their agility and sharpen their practice skills. Each clinic will practice one time a week for 4 weeks.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Soccer Clinics
Athletes have the opportunities to practice and refine their soccer skills through a games-centered teaching approach lead by the YMCA’s best youth soccer coaches. Soccer clinics focus on developing the heart of the sports. Through positive reinforcement and coach interaction our clinics will enhance each player’s desire for soccer, while teaching proper soccer techniques for future soccer achievement. Throughout our various Soccer Clinics, you will work on various techniques and skills based on your age and level, some of these techniques include dribbling, passing, receiving, shielding, and shooting. Each session will have practice once a week for 4 weeks.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Teen Fitness
The benefits of strength and cardio are incredible for teens. Complete an equipment certification with a Wellness Advisor to learn safe and proper use of equipment.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Teens age 14-15 may use the free weight area, but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and have successfully completed a teen fitness orientation.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Expert Advice. Customized for Results.
Onsite, Offsite and Virtual Training Programs Now Available.
When it comes to fitness (like most things), there’s simply no substitute for personalized, expert advice. Let one of our certified trainers get you to the next level. Whether you’re a new exerciser, comfortable with your fitness but looking for something more, or a seasoned competitor, our YMCA Personal Training Program will get you results.
The Personal Training Starter Package is the entry point to the YMCA’s Personal Training Program. You will be contacted by a Certified Personal Trainer within the next two business days to discuss and schedule your first one-on-one session. In this session you will:
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- Meet with a Certified Personal Trainer
- Complete a series of baseline assessments
- Discuss your health and wellness goals
- Determine the right customized personal training program plan for you!
Personal Training can be done onsite at the Y, offsite (such as in a park) with your trainer, and even virtually through one of our video conferencing methods. You can also choose a combination of these methods in your personal plan.
Click on the “view dates and times” / center registration link or, if you have additional questions, please email PersonalTraining@indymca.org.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Semi-Private Training classes cost less than Personal Training, and can yield many of the same benefits
Groups consist of 2-4 people that meet on specific days/times with a certified Personal Trainer. Please ask a Wellness Staff Member for more information.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Yoga class concentrating on balancing postures and stretching/floor work included.
Modifications to meet all levels, and laughter is encouraged when needed. (All Fitness Levels)
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Basic Step Aerobics is a moderate paced basic step class
This class has beginners in mind. Hop, shake and twist your calories away. Then end with weights.
RPE: 5-7
Phone: (317) 549-9622
BODYPUMP™ is for anyone looking to get lean, toned and fit fast.
Using light to moderate weights with lots of repetition, BODYPUMP™ gives you a total body workout. It will burn up to 540 calories. Instructors will coach you through the scientifically proven moves and techniques pumping out encouragement, motivation and great music- helping you achieve much more than on your own! You’ll leave the class feeling challenged and motivated, ready to come back for more.
Les Mills BodyPump classes are part of the Y’s group exercise program. Group exercise class schedules can be found under the “Schedules and Downloads” tab on each location’s web page.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
Teen Specialty Programs
Join other Y Teens for recreation, socialization, and special themed activities such as music, basketball, swimming, dodgeball, or cooking. It’s a great time to meet new people, learn something, or just hang out.
Phone: (317) 549-9622
The YMCA uses various games, stories, imaginative play, chess variants, technology, and other entertaining and innovative methods that makes learning easy, exciting, and fun
We use these creative and modern methods of instruction to encourage learning as a lifelong skill. We use every tool available for instruction and we make a concerted effort to accommodate each individual child’s needs. No previous knowledge of chess is necessary. Whether you already like to play chess, want to get better, or don’t know how yet, our Chess Program welcomes you! You’ll learn moves and strategy, play. There will also be a chess competition with prizes at the end of the session.
View Days & Times