The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg offers youth activities at the branches as well as in the community. View information regarding Child Care locations.

• Jim & Heather Gills YMCA Activities
• Harbordale YMCA Activities
• Community Programs

Kids Korner (Ages 3 mths-9 yrs)
Free child care for our members' children. Parents are required to stay in the building and must be accessible in case of an emergency. Closed All Holidays.

Activity Room (Ages 10 yrs & older)
Open to youth, teens, and family members for free play, games, and social activities. Youth 10-12 yrs of age must be signed in and out by a parent or guardian and must stay on the YMCA premises. Available to facility members and their registered guests.

Draw Like An Artist (Ages 5-15 yrs)
Learn and develop your skills to add shading to your drawings, draw cartoons and animations, create water color pencil art, and even learn to face paint. Create your own works of art and amaze your family and friends.

Kid's Night Out at Jim & Heather Gills YMCA (Ages 5-12 yrs)
Kids will participate in swimming, gym games, and use the Adventure Center. A drink and snack will be provided. The program is held the first Friday of each month from 6-10 pm and must have a minimum of 10 kids registered by deadline date to prevent cancellation. Call for dates and availability. Registration Deadline is the Sunday preceding the first Friday of each month.

Y-Achievers Academic Program (Grades K-8)
Y-Achievers is an after-school academic program available to children in Kindergarten through Eighth grade and is designed to support the curriculum and standards set by the public and private school systems. We make learning challenging and fun while focusing on activities that enhance the Sunshine State Standards and state test preparation. Participants are given age-appropriate assignments to support the skills they are learning at school—each day focusing on a different subject. Additionally, daily journal writings help develop penmanship, creativity, and understanding of sentence structure. For additional information, please contact Elena Stowers at 727-821-9348.

Download: Y-Achievers Brochure

St. Petersburg Prodigy
This cultural arts program teaches students to channel their negative behaviors, through the use of their imagination and creativity, into beautiful artistic masterpieces. The St. Petersburg Prodigy program serves more than 400 youth at five community locations each year. Many youth have been able to serve restitutions to the courts through their participation in this program. View additional information about YMCA Arts Programs.

St. Petersburg Prodigy is funded by University Area Community Development Corporation, University of Southern Florida, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, and Bay Area Youth Services.

Youth Enhancement Skills (Y.E.S.) Program
The YMCA Y.E.S. Program provides approximately 750 students at five local middle schools the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in not only school, but life. Students learn social, personal self-management, and drug resistance skills in a classroom setting while receiving the added benefit of a mediator who focuses on maintaining a safe environment in the classroom and on campus.

In 2006, the YMCA Y.E.S. Program was awarded the Future of the Region Community Service Award–1st Place by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and the Who’s Who of Prevention Leaders in Florida by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

The YMCA Y.E.S. Program was funded by the following agencies in 2006: Florida Department of Juvenile Justice – Title V Grant, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice – Delinquency Prevention Grant (through a partnership with the YMCA of the Suncoast), Office of Juvenile Justice and Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Grant, Pinellas County School Board, and the Verizon Foundation.

Download: YES Annual Report 2006-07

Youth In Government
Youth In Government is a collaboration between the YMCA and local high schools that provides an exciting "hands on" experience in the mechanics of the state legislative and judicial process. Each year, students travel to Tallahassee to gain real life experience of the inner workings of our legislative and judicial systems in the legislative chambers of the state capitol and the Florida Supreme Court. Youth In Government operates from August through February, at Northeast, Shorecrest Preparatory, and St. Petersburg High Schools. For more information, contact Trinette Cason at 727-328-YMCA.

YMCA READS!
YMCA READS! places volunteers with elementary school children who are performing below their recommended reading levels. Mentors work one-on-one with first and second grade students at local elementary schools teaching children phonics and reading comprehension.

By volunteering your time, you can earn community service hours and receive valuable training, all while helping students improve academic performance and build self-esteem. Be a child's tutor, friend, and key to a brighter future. For more information, contact Jacob Ayala at 727-328-YMCA (9622).

Download: YMCA Reads! Brochure

The YMCA offers partial subsidies for those in need. We will turn no one away for the inability to pay, where need is demonstrated. See the Member Service Center to apply for Scholarship Assistance.