Arlington Boys & Girls Club

Youth Class Descriptions

Biddy Soccer: This class is designed for children ages 6, 7, and 8. Instruction in the fundamentals of soccer, including practice drills in passing and dribbling. Scrimmages will also be played.

Biddy Tennis: This class is designed for children ages 6, 7, and 8. Participants will be taught using the Wilson Pee Wee System with junior tennis rackets and balls. Practice drills are used to teach skills such as forehand, backhand and volleying.

Biddy Basketball: This is a twelve week program and is designed for boys and girls 6, 7, and 8 years of age. On game day, there is a “Skills and Drills Session” at their scheduled game time each week. This skill session will last about 15 minutes, followed by a game consisting of (2) 16 minute halves. Kevin, John, and Ryan, along with each teams coach, will instruct the players during the Skills and Drills Session. Games will be officiated by Kevin, John, and Ryan. Each week the players will be given instruction on various skills, such as dribbling, shooting, passing, and defense. Also, considerable time will be spent learning the rules that apply to the game of basketball. Volunteer Coaches are always needed. If interested, please give Kevin a call at the Club. Kevin’s extension is # 36 if unavailable to take your call.

Youth Gymnastics: This program is offered for ages 5 and up. Classes are offered for specific age groups. The program will focus on floor exercise and will promote strength and flexibility. The tumbling sessions are designed for children of all tumbling abilities; from beginners learning cartwheels and handstands to more advanced skills such as front and back handsprings.

Strength and Conditioning for Middle School Youth: Participants must be enrolled in Middle School. The class promotes total fitness, increased muscular strength, improved cardiovascular efficiency, flexibility, and sound nutritional habits.

Junior Tennis: This class is designed for ages 9,10, 11, and 12. The fundamentals of the game of tennis will be introduced. Practice drills in proper strokes, serves and volley will be included.

Junior Basketball I: This program is designed for boys and girls ages 9 and 10 years old. This is an intramural league designed for fun and stresses the importance of individual and team sportsmanship. The most important concept in our program is that we play to have fun. Everyone plays. Fundamentals are emphasized. We like to focus on cooperation, not competition. This is a program that involves respect for everyone and a clear understanding of the rules by players, coaches, referees, and parents. If you are interested in volunteering to coach in our program, please call and ask for Kevin at the club.

Junior Basketball II:Junior Basketball II This program is designed for boys and girls ages 11 to 13 years old. This is an intramural league designed for fun and stresses the importance of individual and team sportsmanship. The most important concept in our program is that we play to have fun. Everyone plays. Fundamentals are emphasized. We like to focus on cooperation, not competition. This is a program that involves respect for everyone and a clear understanding of the rules by players, coaches, referees, and parents. If you are interested in volunteering to coach in our program, please call and ask for Kevin at the club.

Indoor Soccer: League play for those 9 -13 years. Practice and games are to be incorporated into the program.

Karate: Instruction in Tae Shoto Kan Karate is offered for those ages 6 and up. The Tae-Sho Karate is a combination of Tai Kwan Do and Shoto Kan. The purpose of this class is to learn discipline, structure and self defense. Some of the advantages are the physical exercise, conditioning and building self confidence. Children ages 6-8 must have approval of instructor prior to registering. The instructor is Michael Vartebedian a black belt in the art of Karate and former Golden Glove Boxer.

Intermediate Golf League (Ages11-17) Each child will hit a bucket of golf balls at the driving range and play the par three golf course each week at Stone Meadow in Lexington, Ma. The course is designed for children who have some golfing experience. No golf clubs required!

Lacrosse: for 7-9 year olds. The class is designed for beginner to intermediate players. Each week the children will learn basic lacrosse skills and rules. Each week will also include a contest and game.

Dodge Ball League: for 10-14year olds. Children will be put on teams and play two games each week. Children will play on teams of five and basic dodge ball rules will apply.

Kayaks on the Pond: for 8-12 year olds. All children must pass the boating test. Children will learn all basic kayak skills. Each week there will be races and games. Children will also go for a scenic tour around the shore of Spy Pond.

Torch Club - for youth members 11-14 years, who are committed to bettering themselves and their communities. Members will hold leadership poisitions throughout the Club such as assisting with classes and special events. A six week commitment and 2-3 hours per week is required. Limited enrollment.

OTHER YOUTH CLASSES

Baby Sitting: Offered for those ages 10 and up, this program will introduce childcare principles for babysitters, following the American Red Cross format. Topics will include characteristics of children, choosing age appropriate activities, safety for sitter and the child, first aid and basic care of children.

Let's Celebrate: This class is for children ages 5-7. The activities will include making a variety of seasonal holiday crafts.

Holiday Treats: This class is offered for children ages 5-7. Activities include measuring mixing and baking seasonally selected treats.

Habitat Class: Snakes-Some people are fascinated by snakes others are afraid. Come find out more about these interesting creatures and visit with a real corn snake. Why do snakes shed their skin? Are they born or hatched? What snakes live in Massachusetts? These are some of the questions we will answer during this program. Make a clay snake to take home.

Habitat Class: Search For Wild Things: Do you know how many wild living things (plants and animals) are found around the Boys and Girls Club? Come help find out!! Take an up-close look and help to tally what we find. Then make a poster that tells others about all those wild things. We will enter our poster in the Wild Things 2006 contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. Detectives and artists are needed for this project!

RED CROSS CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Swim Levels- Ages 6-17 ( American Red Cross)

Please review individual levels before registering your child for a class, if you are unsure, request a swim placement test before registering for a higher level - you must pass the previous level.

Level I: Introduction to Water Skills

Purpose: Comfort in Water

Basic water safety rules

Using a life jacket

Submerging mouth, nose and eyes

Opening eyes underwater, locating submerged object

Swimming on front and back using arms and legs

Recognizing a swimmer in distress and getting help

Exhaling underwater

Floating on back and front

Introduction to deep water

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills Purpose: Success with Fundamental Skills

Moving in the water while wearing a life jacket

Submerging entire head

Front and back glide

Treading water using arm and leg motions

Recognizing a swimmer in distress and getting help

Bobbing in water

Jellyfish float

Swimming using combined stroke on front and back

Class includes time in shallow-end and deep-end

Level 3: Stroke Development

Purpose: Build on Level 2 Skills with guided practice

Reaching assist

Submerging and retrieving an object

Front and back glide

Front and back crawl

Kneeling or standing dive (shallow dive progression)

Rotary breathing in horizontal position

Survival float, back float

Butterfly-kick and body motion

Deep-end class

Level 4: Stroke Development

Purpose: Develop confidence in strokes and aquatic skills

Safe Diving rules

Dive from stride position or shallow dive

Survival float, back float

Elementary backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly

Throwing assist

Feet-first surface dive

Front and back crawl

Open turn on front and back

Level 5: Stroke Refinement

Purpose: Provide coordination and refine stroke

Survival swimming

Standing dive (diving progression)

Front and back crawl

Perform rescue breathing

Tuck and pike surface dive

Front flip and backstroke flip turns

Elementary backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, sidestroke

Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency

Purpose: Ease, Efficiency, Power, Smoothness

Offered in three separate classes.All Classes continue to work on strokes and include an endurance swim (500 yards/20 lengths).

A child can register for any of the three options. No specific order required to pass.

Personal Water Safety- how to help yourself or others in dangerous situations involving water

Lifeguard Readiness- basics of how to save someone

Fitness Swimmer-different ways to exercise in water besides swimming

No masks allowed in swim lessons, goggles ONLY!

Semi Private Swim Lessons for Youth: There will be 2-3 children ages 6 and older in each class. The goal is to improve the skills that they have and to introduce new skills. Red Cross Swim Level requirements will be covered.

Swim Like a Champ: for ages 8-15 years old. Participants must be able to swim 50 yards non-stop! Program features timed swim exercises; various stroke, turn & diving drills; stroke refinement; & intramural swim meet and games.

Guard Start: for youth ages 11-14 who have completed the 5th grade. Program concentrates on 5 areas of development: prevention, fitness, response, leadership and professionalism. Participants must demonstrate these skills: swim the front crawl 25 yards continuously while breathing front or side; tread water for 1 minute using arms and legs; submerge and swim a distance of 10 feet underwater

Ready, Set, SWIM!: Like to swim? Need a change from level classes? Ready, Set, SWIM offers endurance enhancing, swim techniques with fun swim drills, games and swim races. Focus is on endurance, team work and sportsmanship

Special Olympic Swimming-Open for ages 6 to adult, but must be 8 years old to participate at Special Olympics events. Program trains athletes to participate at their ability level, ranging from walking in the pool to swimming races and relays at the Massachusetts Special Olympics held in June. Program encourages working as a team and striving for improvement.

Adult Lessons- This class is designed for people that can’t swim and people who want to improve their swimming ability. The instructor will focus on each person’s individual needs

Kayaks & Kids: When it’s not yet time for summer boating, let’s float the kayaks in the pool! Kayaks & Kids teaches safe boating habits, paddling and handling techniques, and fun kayak games.

"MOMswim": A Pilates-infused water work-out for Moms & Babies/Toddlers ages 4 months through 18 months. MOMswim allows Moms to enjoy a great workout while Babies/Toddlers experience water exploration. Held in the shallow water only, MOMswim includes singing, “water dancing”, and signing (ASL) with babies close to us at all times. Feel free to go at the pace that you, and your little one, feel comfortable. For more information go to www.momfitters.com

PreNatal Class: "Pre-MOMswim" offers moms-to-be an opportunity to practice Yoga while in the water, taking away pressure commonly felt in the low back, pelvis area and legs while pregnant. Soothe your body and enjoy the weightlessness of the pool as you experience movements that gently stretch muscles and prepare you for childbirth. The combination of yoga and water allows mom & baby to share an environment free of distractions from the outside world and to focus on breath awareness… allowing you to be in the moment. All fitness levels and stages of pregnancy, including postnatal women.