New activity & free pizza every Wednesday!
The TGCA is pleased to partner with YMCA Calgary and Planet Youth Calgary to bring the community free youth programming this July and August. Bring a friend or come and meet some new ones!
This is a free drop-in program for youth ages 12 – 17 at the TGCA on Wednesdays from 1 pm – 4 pm and there’s free pizza too! It’s a great opportunity for our local youth to learn a new activity or share their skills, but above all enjoy themselves in an active and socially-engaged way.
Activities will be supervised by volunteers with full vulnerable sector and police background checks. All youth are required to sign-in and provide a parent’s phone number on each date. Any participant that is behaving aggressively or inappropriately will be asked to leave and not return for the remainder of the summer programming.
How it works
Youth will meet volunteers at that day’s facility meeting spot (in schedule below) and volunteers will go over the day’s activity, should an explanation be needed.
Programming is 3 hours per date and youth are welcome to come a little later or leave early. Our volunteers will match up youth to enjoy activities together.
Pizza to be served around 3 pm depending on how activities are going. Unfortunately, the TGCA can not accommodate food allergies and sensitivities. Please bring a snack if you can’t eat pizza. Jugs of water will also be provided.
Please note that depending on how many people participate, there may be a wait time for our limited facilities (courts, bowling lanes etc). Volunteers will do their best to cycle people through and encourage youth to join in with others.
Changerooms are available if youth want to change or shower. Volunteers can direct them to the changerooms.
Click a date to see programming details
Come and bowl and meet some new friends! Participants will be encouraged to team up for either singles or doubles matches, depending on turnout. Meet volunteers at the bowling alley on the lower floor of the south building of the TGCA. All activity equipment is provided for bowling.
Learn more about how to 5-pin bowl here
Wallyball is like volleyball but it’s in a racquetball court and you bounce the ball off the walls! Fun right? Meet volunteers at the racquetball viewing area (down the stairs to the lower floor in the south building). All activity equipment is provided for Wallyball, however indoor gym shoes are required in the racquetball courts.
Learn more about Wallyball here
Play some basketball with other youths on our court with 2 regulation height nets. Depending on the turnout that day, activities could include games of HORSE, 3 on 3, or full court matches. Meet volunteers in the main floor lobby in the south building. All equipment will be provided. Please wear indoor gym shoes.
It’s like soccer but different! Futsal is played with a smaller ball that has less bounce than a regular soccer ball. The rules are adjusted slightly to create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing. Meet volunteers in the main floor lobby and bring your inside gym shoes.
Learn more about Futsal here
Bring a friend or join in on a lively game of either badminton or pickleball! Meet volunteers in the main floor lobby. Badminton participants will need their own racquets. Pickleball equipment is provided. 2 courts of badminton and 2 courts of pickleball will be setup. Singles or doubles can be played in each court.
Learn more about Pickleball here
Learn some of the finer points of drawing the components of the face. Ryan Nordlund, of Planet Youth Calgary, will take the class through the various parts of the face and then each participant will draw their own. All supplies provided for this programming. Meet volunteers in the main floor lobby in the south building.
Bring your favourite tabletop game to the TGCA for an afternoon of strategy and laughs. The TGCA has board games and puzzles available as well. Meet volunteers at the main floor lobby in the south building and bring a friend!
Show off your gaming skills at 6 different gaming stations or learn a new game! Games offered are Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Fortnite, and Rocket League. Meet e-sports YMCA volunteers in the Thorncliffe Room off the main floor lobby. All equipment provided.
Planet Youth is a primary prevention model designed to act on the root causes that contribute to substance use and mental health challenges among young people. Planet Youth is in Calgary communities to create social environments that support resilience and well-being for young people. Find more organisational info at www.planetyouthcalgary.ca. The TGCA is a proud community partner in the Planet Youth Calgary pilot in Thorncliffe and Huntington Hills.
If you have any questions about this program, please email the TGCA programming and community engagement coordintor, Vanessa, v.gillard@tgcacalgary.com or call the TGCA office, 403-274-6840, ext. 100.