Family Programs at YMCA of the Rockies - Estes Park

 To find the schedule of Family Programs available this week or next week, check out the Weekly Program Bulletin.

ANIMAL DETECTIVE- Learn to identify the animals in the Rocky Mountain area. Take a walk with us and look for clues they leave behind. Make a fun animal craft to take home. Ages 6-12; one hour.

ARCHERY- A basic beginning class where participants will learn safety rules and proper shooting techniques&plus, we'll have fun practicing skills. Ages 10 and up ONLY, one hour, $3.00/person fee.

BADMINTON- A fun-filled hour playing an old favorite. Ages 8 and up; one hour.

BASKETBALL MANIA -  Play several "hoops" games, such as HORSE, Around the World, Free Throw Challenge, or a rousing One-on-One. Ages 8 and up; one hour.

BEAVER WALK -  What an amazing engineer the beaver is! Enjoy a walk to beaver ponds and dams and learn about their lifestyle and habitat. Ages 5 and up; 1.5 hours.

BIBLE POINT WALK-  Enjoy gorgeous views on this hike (approx. two miles) overlooking the YMCA grounds and learn the history of this inspirational point. Ages 8 and up; 2 hours.

BINGO - Join us for an evening of fun and prizes at the Sweet Memorial Building. All ages, one hour.

BIRD BANDING (adult) - Join licensed bird bander Scott Rashid as he nets different species of birds, bands them, and tells bout their unique features. Ages 12 and up; 1.5 hours. (A children's bird program is also offered during certain summer weeks.)

BOCCE BALL - This game has been called outdoor bowling". Test your skills and have an enjoyable hour of competition. Ages 8 and up; one hour.

BUBBLES - Whatever your age, you'll have a great time blowing bubbles outside the Sweet building.All ages; 30 minutes.

BUGS, BUGS, BUGS - They aren't all creepy and crawly! Bugs can be fascinating! Walk with us and catch some bugs for everyone to look at. Then make a "buggy" craft to take home. Ages 6-10, one hour.

CHALK CRITTERS - Make your own sidewalk chalk in fun shapes and colors, then decorate our sidewalks with your artwork. Ages 4-8, one hour.

COMPETE & REPEAT - Games for kids, ages 8 - 12. Come outside with us and play races, relays, and different kinds of tag, nature games, etc. One hour.

CROQUET - A family favorite. Come and enjoy a round out on the lawn like old times! Ages 6 and up; one hour.

FAMILY RELAYS - Whether it's Dizzy Bat, Ball Drop, Ring Toss, or any other zany game, your family will love competing against other families&and the clock& to see which team comes out on top. All ages, 1-1.5 hours.

KICKBALL - Some outdoor kicking and running fun. Ages 8 and up; one hour.

MORAINE PARK WALK - A beautiful two-mile (round trip) walk into Rocky Mountain National Park. See river and mountain vistas in one of the loveliest settings you will find. Ages 8 and up; 2 hours.

NATURE GRAPHICS - Make your own picture from natural objects you will find outside. Place on sun-sensitive paper, you'll create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Ages 5 and up; one hour.

NATURE AND "UN-NATURE" - Learn about nature in the YMCA and Rocky Mt. National Park area and help find things that don't belong in our natural environment. Ages 4-8, one hour.

NIGHT HIKE - Experience "night life" the YMCA way. Join us for a walk on the Y grounds and learn about nocturnal animals and their special adaptations. You'll also have some fun personal experiences through different activities. Ages 8 and up; one hour.

PARACHUTE GAMES - Rise and fall with our big parachute as we play various games under, over and around the billowing parachute. Exhilarating fun! Ages 5 and up; 30 min.

PATHFINDERS - Learn to use a compass and do some basic orienteering through several games and challenging activities. Ages 8 and up; 1.5 hours.

PLAY DOUGH PICTIONARY - A new version of a family favorite. You will be amazed what you can make out of play dough! Ages 8 and up; one hour.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN TREE ART - Create a unique work of art with findings from trees and other natural items in our YMCA area. Ages 6-12, 1 hour.

SCAVENGER HUNT - All ages will enjoy this "hunt" on the YMCA grounds. It is a great way to see more of the Y and learn about this area, too. All ages; one hour.

SIMON SEZ - Games for kids, ages 4 - 8. Play Zookeeper; Duck, Duck, Goose; Red Rover, and other exciting outdoor games. One hour.

SOCCER - Join us for an enthusiastic hour of European "football". We may not be World Cup athletes, but we'll have a terrific time trying! Ages 8 and up; one hour.

STAR LAB - Our new portable planetarium is a must for guests with an interest in the sky and stars. Our programs include a journey into the current night sky, Greek Mythology, Native American star legends, and on clear nights, a short outside
session with a telescope. Ages 8 and up; 1.5-2hour; $3.00 fee or $50 per
group,(15+people.)

SURVIVAL - Here is a fun and educational way to learn the basic survival skills if you ever get lost in the woods. We will walk a short distance and enjoy several activities, including building shelters, learning to build a fire, and finding out what STOP means. Ages 8 and up; 1.5 hours.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE - A great hour of Frisbee team excitement - come and join us! Ages 8 and up; one hour.

VOLLEYBALL - We'll head to the courts for a light-hearted hour of fun with one of our favorite outdoor activities. Ages 8 and up; one hour.

WHAT'S THE WEATHER? - Do you know what makes the weather change? Is your weather the same as ours? Help us find out about the sun, clouds, rain, snow, and more as we learn why weather is different every day. Ages 4-7; one hour.