The YMCA offers tons of ways to stay active beyond typical workout routines.
Here, sports and recreational activities are something special. With friendly competition, lots of variety and a supportive environment, you’ll have fun while improving your health.
When kids play Y-Sports, they develop more than just skills—they develop character. Instructors and coaches model fairness and hard work while emphasizing teamwork, cooperation, and developing good values in this non-competitive program. Our volunteer coaches recognize achievements large and small and understand that winning is not just about the score. By playing sports, kids and their families feel a sense of belonging that comes from a community gathering together to cheer on their team. Everyone plays, and everyone wins!
REGISTRATION DATES
| SEASON | MEMBERS: | Non-Members |
|---|---|---|
| SPRING | January 6, 2025 | January 9, 2025 |
| SUMMER | April 7, 2025 | April 10, 2025 |
| FALL | June 2, 2025 | June 5, 2025 |
| WINTER 2026 | October 6, 2025 | October 9, 2025 |
Preschool Sports
Parent & Child Sports (2-3 years old)
Accompanied by a parent, each participant will be introduced to the basics involved in a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, t-ball, flag football, and floor hockey. Emphasis will be placed on hand-eye coordination, balance, listening skills, and friendship.
Classes are held Mondays from 5:00 – 5:45pm
Spring Season: April 7 – May 5
Summer I Season: June 2 – June 30
Summer II Season: August 11 – Sept. 8
Fall Season: Nov. 3 – Dec. 8
Preschool Sports Sampler (4-5 years old)
Each participant will learn the basic fundamental skills involved in a variety of sports, including Football, T-Ball, Basketball, Soccer, and Floor Hockey. Emphasis will be placed on hand-eye coordination, balance, listening skills, and friendship. Each session lasts 5 weeks and each class lasts 45 minutes.
Classes are held Tuesdays from 5:00 – 5:45pm
Spring Season: April 8 – May 6
Summer I Season: June 3 – July 1
Summer II Season: August 12 – Sept. 9
Fall Season: Nov. 4 – Dec. 9
Preschool Mini Sports (4-5 years old)
Participants will develop an appreciation for sports and physical activity along with practicing skills and being a team player. Each session focuses on one singular sport and follows the same sport calendar as our Youth Sport League. Please note Preschool Mini Sports does not include any games outside of class dates and times.
Classes are held Thursdays from 5:00 – 5:45pm
Spring Season: April 10 – May 8
Summer I Season: June 5 – July 3
Summer II Season: August 14 – Sept. 11
Fall Season: Nov. 6 – Dec. 11
Youth Sports
Youth Sports
Youth Sports at the Mankato Family YMCA are designed to help kids build confidence, develop skills, and stay active in a fun and supportive environment. Our programs emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth while fostering a love for physical activity. Whether your child is new to sports or looking to enhance their abilities, our experienced coaches and volunteers create a positive atmosphere where everyone can learn and improve. With a variety of sports available throughout the year, there’s something for every young athlete to enjoy at the Y!
Youth Winter Basketball
Youth Basketball (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-4 Grade and 5-6 Grade) YMCA Youth Basketball is a fun and supportive program that helps kids of all skill levels build confidence on the court. Through practices and games, players develop essential basketball skills like dribbling, shooting, and teamwork. With a focus on sportsmanship and personal growth, this league provides a positive, active environment where kids can learn, compete, and make new friends. Each league has both boys and girls teams.
Winter Season: February 10 – April 12, 2025
Soccer
The youth soccer program is designed to meet each player at their current level. Kids really get a kick out of our program that teaches fundamental skills such as passing, trapping, shooting, dribbling, stealing, and goalkeeping.
T-Ball/Coach Pitch
T-Ball (K, 1-2 Grade) & Coach Pitch (3-5 Grade) T-Ball and Coach Pitch are designed to introduce young players to the fundamentals of baseball in a supportive, fun environment. In T-Ball, beginners learn the basics of hitting, fielding, and running the bases. As players progress, they practice hitting a pitched ball while continuing to build skills like throwing and catching. Both programs emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, and confidence-building.
Summer Season: June 23 – August 16, 2025
NFL Flag Football
Flag Football (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-5 Grade) YMCA’s NFL Youth Flag Football league offers kids an exciting way to experience football in a non-contact format. Players learn the fundamentals of the game—passing, catching, and teamwork—while building agility and strategy skills. With team-based drills and games, participants gain confidence and sportsmanship, all while wearing official NFL-licensed jerseys.
Summer/Fall Season: August 25 – October 18, 2025
Youth Volleyball
Volleyball (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-5 Grade) The YMCA Youth Volleyball program is a great way for kids to learn the fundamentals of volleyball in a fun and encouraging environment. With a focus on serving, passing, and teamwork, players of all skill levels can build confidence and improve their game. Coaches guide players through drills and games, promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie on and off the court.
Fall Season: October 11 – November 8, 2025
STRIDE
The STRIDE program provides lessons on leadership, character development, healthy choices, goal-setting, and cooperation, all within the framework of a fitness and running plan for boys grades 3rd-6th. STRIDE boys will participate in an end-of-season 5k run, check-marking a goal they trained to achieve all season!
Chesley Skate Team
Chesley Skate Team (ages 6 – 12) will help take your skateboarding skills to the next level. For five weeks, you’ll meet once a week with experienced coaches and a crew of fellow skaters to master new tricks, build confidence, and have a blast. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, this team is all about fun, progression, and community. Plus, if you need gear, we’ve got you covered!
Spring Season: April 7 – May 5, 2025
Summer Season: August 11 – September 8, 2025
Fall Season: November 3 – December 8, 2025
3×3 Basketball
3×3 Basketball (Split according to grades & participants) This summer – join a basketball league focused on fun, competition, and improvement. Perfect for players of all levels looking to stay active, sharpen their skills and connect with others who love the game. No coaches. No pressure. Just basketball.
Summer Season: June 21 – July 26, 2025
Youth Fall Basketball
Youth Fall Basketball (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-4 Grade and 5-6 Grade) YMCA Youth Basketball is a fun and supportive program that helps kids of all skill levels build confidence on the court. Through practices and games, players develop essential basketball skills like dribbling, shooting, and teamwork. With a focus on sportsmanship and personal growth, this league provides a positive, active environment where kids can learn, compete, and make new friends.
Fall Season: September 8 – October 19, 2025
Youth Pickleball
Youth Pickleball (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-5 Grade) YMCA Youth Pickleball introduces kids to one of the fastest-growing sports in the country! This program teaches players the basics of pickleball, including paddle skills, court positioning, and game strategy, in a friendly and supportive setting.
Fall/Winter Season: November 1 – December 6, 2025
Basketball Clinic
Basketball Clinic (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-5 Grade) Basketball Clinic at the Y provides young athletes with an exciting way to kick off the season and sharpen their basketball skills. With practices and games tailored to different age groups, players work on fundamentals like shooting, dribbling, and teamwork. Kids develop both their skills and confidence on the court, while enjoying friendly competition and building lifelong friendships.
Adult Recreation
Whether you miss “suiting up” or are new to team activities, our adult recreation programs provide a perfect opportunity to be active, social, reconnect or start fresh with an activity you enjoy.
Men’s & Co-Ed Basketball
The Mankato Family YMCA has an Adult Men’s and Adult Co-Ed’s Basketball League each winter. Teams must have at least 6 players minimum and 12 players maximum. Full payment with a completed roster is required to be registered. Games will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6-7pm or 7:30-8:30pm. The season will end with a Playoff Tournament.
Racquetball / Handball
Whether you are a beginner or a power player, there is a place for you to have fun on the racquetball courts at the Y. We have 3 racquetball courts located on the main level of our facility. Racquetball is a fantastic way to sharpen your agility, hand-eye coordination, speed, and strength.
Indoor Pickleball
Pickleball is a paddle sport played with a whiffle ball on a badminton-sized court and a tennis-style net. A non-volley zone (or kitchen) prevents volleys close to the net, and the serving team cannot volley the return of serve. These unique rules favor players with less mobility and allow senior players to compete successfully with younger competitors. Pickleball is enjoyed by people of all ages and athletic abilities thanks to its ease of play and straightforward rules. Pickleball is played indoors at the Y during the fall, winter and spring seasons.
Volunteer Coaching
Serving as a youth coach is one of the greatest investments of time and energy anyone can make. Coaches become some of the most influential voices in a child’s life, and you can help us fill each season with lessons that last a lifetime. Must be able to: Commit to an 8-week session, One 45 minute practice per week (M, T or TH), 6 regular season games on Saturday mornings, 1 tournament day, create practice plans (resources & handbooks will be provided), maintain required communication with program staff, and follow all procedures and policies of the Youth Department Program and the Mankato Family YMCA, including Child Abuse Prevention Policies.
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