Gymnastics
The Bath Area Family YMCA’s gymnastics classes have been a community resource for over 40 years. Our award-winning gymnastics program serves youth from Bath, Brunswick, Woolwich, West Bath, Freeport, Yarmouth, Topsham and beyond.
Gymnastics training increases strength and flexibility, enhancing performance and preventing injury in any sport. In addition to being a sport itself, gymnastics is often used as cross training for other sports like martial arts, swimming, diving, and dance.
Whether you train in gymnastics to compete, cross-train, or just for fun and exercise, the self-discipline, self-confidence, individual responsibility, and sense of teamwork you gain from gymnastics training are positive character skills that carry over into all life endeavors.
YMCA gymnastics classes begin at the preschool level and progress through youth level classes and on to team competition, depending on skill level and interest.
Class structure and fees
Each gymnastics class session runs for six weeks. Classes are one hour in duration. Fees: Members: $105 Community members: $145. A BATH YMCA membership is required for member pricing and advance registration. There is no reciprocity for Bath YMCA programs.
Current information on class registration is always posted at www.facebook.com/BathGymnastics If we do not anticipate having enough instructors, we aren’t able to offer certain class times at some times in the year.
Preschool gymnastics
Ages 3-5 (5 year olds who have not yet entered Kindergarten)
Children ages 3-5 will be gently introduced to all appropriate gymnastics equipment in a structured, gentle environment. Children will need to be confident in participating independently. Parents and caregivers may not be in the gymnastics area, and are invited to observe from the bleachers. With our welcoming, caring and experienced instructors leading the way, athletes will experience fun and excitement as they jump, swing, and roll. children are excited and motivated to try new skills each week.
Youth gymnastics
Ages 5-14 (5 year olds who are in Kindergarten or will enter Kindergarten within four months.)
Having fun and learning in gymnastics classes for beginning and intermediate athletes. Your child will gain increased strength, coordination, and self-esteem on the vault, bars, beam, and floor.
Preteam gymnastics
Ages 6-14
Athletes considering future participation in competitive gymnastics will benefit from this camp. Motivated athletes will practice back walk-overs, pullovers at the bar, and more advanced skills. We encourage confident athletes who love gymnastics, and can independently do a cartwheel, backward roll, and are comfortable being upside down on bars to consider our pre-team program.
Team Gymnastics
This program is for gymnasts wishing to improve their skills and compete on the Bath YMCA Gymnastics Team. Our team competes in the Xcel division beginning with Xcel Silver. All team members compete in the YMCA league, and have the option to compete in the USAG league as well. New team members are welcomed in Jun-early September. For a tryout, please contact Kym@bathymca.org. The team competitive season runs from September to May, with competitions held December-May. Our season begins with a mandatory organizational meeting on Thursday, September 12 at 6.
Team members must have a Bath YMCA membership.
Moving up a class or team level
Moving from Youth to Preteam
Preteamers should be comfortable being upside down on bars, and circling quickly and walking and jumping on the high beam. On floor, they need to be able to get to a handstand consistently, cartwheel, and have a good bridge, and hopefully a bridge kickover, or standing backbend. Preteam athletes must be 6 or older.
Moving from preteam to team
Athletes must be entering 2nd grade or older, and meet this criteria.
Moving up a division on team
Please consult this chart for our requirements for each Xcel division.
Financial Aid:
No one is ever turned away from the Y or our programs because of ability to pay - we always try to meet families at a place that feels affordable for them. Click below to learn more about scholarships and to apply for financial aid.
Gymnastics Information and Policies
Refunds
No refunds for gymnastics classes after the first day.
Arrival
Please check in your athlete AND YOURSELF at the front desk (or have your athlete check in) when they arrive. If you are a member, you may scan your membership card. If you are a member and do not have a card, please request a card at the front desk. If you are a community member, but do not have a Y membership, please check in BY SIGNING THE GUEST LIST SHEET. The Y needs to have an accurate list of who is in the building in case of emergency.
Please walk your athlete to the gym entrance just before the play zone and racquetball court. Your athlete will store belongings on the bleachers, or you may hold them. Instructors will invite athletes onto the floor at the beginning of class.
If your child has any challenges: physical, emotional, or behavioral, which may impact their participation in gymnastics, please indicate this on the program questions at registration. To share more detailed information, or to have questions answered, please email kym@bathymca.org, as well as letting the class instructors know when you arrive. We want to ensure the best experience for all participants. If your child receives services from a para-educator, behavioral health technician, or ASL interpreter, for example, please do let us know. If your child has an epi pen please let us know.
Appropriate clothing includes a leotard or biketard, and/or fitted shorts/leggings, fitted top. The midriff must be covered. NO skirts, neither sewed to the leotard, nor with shorts underneath, or footed tights. In general, barefoot is best. Hair must be up and away from the face, and not able to fall into the athlete's eyes.
Spectators: parents and caregivers may not be in the gymnastics area for either comfort or photography. All spectators are invited to observe and take pictures from the bleachers.
No food or drink (besides water) is allowed in the gym for athletes or spectators. Any food needs to be consumed in the front lobby before or after class. We have athletes with food allergies.
Restroom: please ensure that your athlete, especially younger ones, have used the restroom in advance to prevent accidents. Of course, athletes are welcome to use the restroom during class whenever needed.
Drinks: We have a water fountain. Some athletes prefer to bring their own water bottle.
Class postponements
Class postponements: If classes must be canceled due to inclement weather (closings posted at bathymca.org) or instructor illness, another class will be added to the end of the session. Please make the best decision for your driver and child if weather near you seems concerning. We urge you to sign up for text messages using this link: https://bathymca.alertmedia.com/public/v2? We are not able to make phone calls or send emails.
Make up classes
Parents of athletes who are missing a class due to illness or emergency should email kym@bathymca.org when the parent determines that the athlete won’t be attending that class session. Parents and Kym will try to find another class time/day within the same session to take as a makeup. Classes cannot be made up in a future session. Classes cannot be made up without prior arrangements.
