The Boys and Girls Club of Niagara believes child and youth participation in recreation and leisure activities builds confidence, self-esteem and broadens their range of skills and knowledge.
Working with community program partners, the Boys and Girls Club offers a wide variety of skill-building programs in arts, dance, and sports in a low-cost participation model. By participating in diverse activities, taught by qualified staff dedicated to helping every child find their talents, children can develop introductory and intermediate skills with the opportunity to access community linkages to continue at higher levels.
Pre-School & Child Programs
Me and My Mini Mover
(18 months – 3 yrs.) Parent participation required.
Cooperative games and fun can never start too young. A program focused on being physically active and working together for both child and parent.
Jitterbugs
(18 months – 3 yrs.) Parent participation required.
Our starter dance class where children and parents dance together and learn how to have some fun to the rhythm of the music. Designed to get children to enjoy music, you will find the parents having as much fun and learning as much as the children. Come on over and get in the groove.
Tiny Tumblers
(18 months – 3 yrs.) Parent participation required
Our starter gymnastics class, parent, and child are together in a fun-filled environment. Taught by qualified gymnastics instructors this very basic gymnastics course teaches about how to move and some knowledge of pint-sized gymnastic equipment.
The Boys & Girls Club and CAPC Niagara Brighter Futures
CAPC Niagara Brighter Futures is a federally funded project that creates and expands programs promoting healthy development in young children (ages 0-6 yrs) throughout the Niagara Region.
Benefits include:
- increase the access of information to respond to the needs of children
- increase information regarding community resources that will ensure equal opportunities to families
- increase awareness of effective parenting
- reduce language barriers and cultural isolation
Little Movers
(3- 5 yrs.) Parent participation required.
Cooperative games and fun can never start too young. A program focused on being physically active and working together for both youth and parents.
Jr. Gymnastics
(3- 5 yrs.) Parent participation required.
These recreational gymnastics classes are designed to teach children the basics of the sport with an emphasis on skill-building and fun. Certified instructors will be working with the children on coordination, balance, and flexibility while keeping safety in mind. Children will participate in the following disciplines: floor, low beam, mini trampoline, and vault.
Youth Programs
Dance
(6 – 8 yrs.)
This program is an introduction to the world of dance for your child. Children will explore the fundamentals of dance in a safe and nurturing environment. This program focuses on movement, coordination, and spatial awareness. The emphasis of the program is on having fun.
Gymnastics
(6-8 yrs.)
These recreational gymnastics classes are designed to teach children the basics of the sport with an emphasis on skill-building and fun. Certified instructors will be working with the children on co-ordination, balance, and flexibility while keeping safety in mind. Children will participate in the following disciplines: floor, low beam, mini trampoline, and vault.
Jr. Dance
(3-5 yrs.)
This program is an introduction to the world of dance for your child. Children will explore the fundamentals of dance in a safe and nurturing environment. This program focuses on movement, co-ordination, and spatial awareness. The emphasis of the program is on having fun.
Hip Hop Dance
(8-12 yrs.)
Learn the fundamentals of Hip Hop and find the funky dancer within! This high-energy class improves physical fitness, rhythm, movement, and self-confidence.
Gymnastics
(9-12 yrs.)
These recreational gymnastics classes are designed to teach children the basics of the sport with an emphasis on skill-building and fun. Certified instructors will be working with the children on co-ordination, balance, and flexibility while keeping safety in mind. Children will participate in the following disciplines: floor, low beam, mini trampoline, and vault.
Martial Arts – Beginner /Advanced
(Class is combined and each child will be evaluated by an instructor.)
Instructors from United Family Martial Arts conduct classes in a disciplined and safe environment. Children will learn a combination of self-defense techniques, personal safety, and protection. Physical fitness and fun are incorporated into the classes taught by qualified instructors.
Try-Sport
(7–10 yrs.)
A fun opportunity to try out three popular sporting options! This twelve-week program introduces youth to soccer, basketball, and ball hockey while encouraging teamwork, good sportsmanship, and participation. A great way to discover your new favourite sport!
Jr. NBA Basketball
(7 –10 yrs.)
The Boys and Girls Club of Niagara is proud to offer a national youth basketball program designed to develop fundamental skills, sportsmanship and a love of the game of basketball. The program offers a holistic approach to athlete development based on the Sports Canada LTAD Model.
With enrolment, all players receive Player Package including; jersey, basketball, drawstring bag, certificate, and poster. Slam dunk!
Floor Hockey
They shoot, they score! What a great way to learn Canada’s favourite past time. Your child will develop coordination, teamwork, and game strategy while making friends and having fun. Skills are enhanced through drills and games.
Kitchen Creations
(7–10 yrs.)
Sizzle and Bake! Come into our kitchen and taste your creations. The kitchen creations program is designed to teach youth the basics of solid nutritional cooking (don’t worry desserts will be made on occasion as well). Come and enjoy a social atmosphere and learn a lifelong skill.
Youth Pottery
(8–18 yrs.)
On or off the potter’s wheel, children can bring shape to clay with this 12-week pottery course. The instructor will show participants how to build their sculptures, finish the surfaces, and apply a glaze to their masterpieces. Each week multiple hand-building and throwing techniques will be developed in order to work towards mastering the craft of pottery.
St. Catharines Centre ONLY
NEW Programs
Ninja
In partnership with Spirit Athletics, our Ninja classes will develop physical fitness and character traits as the students learn new skills in a fun and safe environment. Ninja Classes are obstacle course run training with aspects of gymnastics, tumbling, and physical fitness. Ninjas will have fun while working on focus and concentration, agility, balance, spatial awareness, perseverance, confidence and so much more!
Flick n’ Float
(6-12 years)
Join us every Friday night for a swim and a movie at the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara. Each week participants will enjoy a supervised swim followed by a kid’s movie classic. No registration is required; popcorn and drinks are available for purchase for an additional fee. Pyjamas are allowed!
Make a Little Noise
(3-5 years)
Building on your little one’s natural love of music, each week participants will explore new sounds, rhythms, and tempos designed to boost creativity and unlock the imagination. Sing songs, basic instruments, and even a little dancing is all part of the fun! Parents are welcome to participate.
Make a Little Mess
(3-5 years)
Finger paint, slime, and homemade Play-Doh. If your budding artist doesn’t mind getting a little dirty, then this is the program for them! Each week, a new medium will be introduced, designed to enhance fine motor skills, imagination, and creativity! Getting a little messy isn’t just allowed, it’s encouraged!
One on One Music Lessons
(6-12 years)
Interested in private or semi-private music lessons for guitar or piano? Lessons are led by certified instructors and are offered Monday to Saturday subject to availability. No Previous experience necessary; participants are asked to bring their own electric or acoustic guitar.
Be Creative
(6-12 years)
Kids are encouraged to ‘be themselves’ in an environment that is relaxed, creative, and fun, allowing young artists the freedom to explore their potential. Weekly activities will introduce a variety of arts, crafts, and drama exercises.
All-in-One
(6-12 years)
What’s better than sports, cooperative games, and arts and crafts? Put them all together and add a swim lesson! This 2 ½ hour program combines all these favourite activities for your 6-12-year-old every Saturday morning. Already planning on putting the kids in swim lessons? For an extra $40, register for All-in-One and you’ll have time to run errands and get groceries. Yeah, All-in-One!!