The Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA offers an array of youth sports and fitness programs. Kathy Hensler, healthy living director at the Y, said the programs aim to teach students about sports and physical fitness while emphasizing the importance of good character.

CRANBERRY TWP — Parents looking to get their children out of the house and active this summer need look no further than the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA, where youth sports and fitness programs will soon be starting up.

From youth boxing, weight training and organized sports programs to fitness and water safety classes for students with special needs, the YMCA is always working to expand its catalog of community classes and programs.

And this summer is no different.

Kathy Hensler, healthy living director at the YMCA, said the programs aim to teach students about sports and physical fitness while emphasizing the importance of good character and treating others with respect. Many start Monday and run throughout the summer.

“We have a lot of new youth programs for kids,” Hensler said.

This year, children can enroll in a weekly sports program, teaching participants organized sports from soccer and football to golf and hockey. Each week will focus on a different sport.

“(We'll) teach the basic skills and how to play the game,” Hensler said.

The YMCA has also recently added strength training and speed and agility classes for younger athletes to teach them the proper techniques and exercises to build their athletic abilities.

Hensler said instructors have already started seeing results in participants.

“We've had kids increase their vertical jump by six centimeters,” she said. “Which is a lot.”Trainers also track young athletes' physical growth to identify their strengths and the best ways to develop their abilities.Finally, this month will see the start to the Rose E. Schneider's youth boxing program.The class seeks to teach participants the fundamentals of boxing and instill in them both physical and emotional discipline.“(Participants) will get boxing gloves with entry fees in the class ... and learn to control their anxiety with the value of martial arts and boxing techniques,” Hensler said.She added how programs and course offerings at the YMCA all seek to promote the physical, emotional and spiritual health of participants.New programs are always being added at the YMCA, Hensler said, with many coming at the request of parents and instructors.“We try to understand what the community wants and the community needs,” Hensler said. “We have people ask us for classes or programs.”The YMCA also offers classes for students with special needs and works with numerous organizations to understand what students want and how to gear programs to suit their needs.Classes are open to anyone who wants to enroll.Details and enrollment information can be found at rose.bcfymca.org or by phone at 724-452-9122.

Parents looking to get their children out of the house and active this summer need look no further than the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA, where youth sports and fitness programs will soon be starting up.