Teen Programs

Teen Center is a fun and safe space for teens to socialize, exercise and have a positive interaction with peers and YMCA counselors. Teen Center is open to teens from local communities and offers activities such as sports, fitness, arts and discussion groups. Teen Centers encourage more than 6,500 teens ages 12-18 to interact in a safe and positive social setting.

Ages 12-18
Fridays 6-10 PM

This program provides club members with opportunities for leadership training, personal growth, community service, and social development. Young people meet on a weekly basis in a small group of peers and advisors to map out career and educational goals, seek information, and share experiences related to self-improvement.

Ages 13-18
Fridays 4:30-6 PM

The YMCA Youth and Government program will teach young people how laws are created and passed, and how to successfully champion issues teens think are important. Teens will learn how to debate and formulate winning arguments as an attorney or a legislator. After one year in the program, teens you will know more about politics and law than most adults. Through Youth and Government, teens can join other young people from YMCA’s and high schools from all over the State for a three day event in Albany, New York’s State Capital in March. Teens debate current state issues, participate in mock trials, and get to know future leaders. The Prospect Park YMCA has added the expertise of Howard Caretto, a YMCA Board Member and Attorney to help guide students through the bill writing process and assist in preparing for the State Youth and Government. 

Ages 14-18
Tuesdays 4:30-6 PM

By working alongside local political leaders, teens have the chance to see how political decisions are made, and learn how to become effective agents of change. Writing legal memoranda, resolutions, and press releases gives teens hands on experience, and exposure to how the democratic process impacts NYC communities.

Ages 13-18
Wednesdays 4:30-6 PM

YMCA Global Teens is a leadership development and service learning program that engages teens in a year-long empowering international experience culminating with a summer service abroad experience.

The Fitness Center is available to 12 to 17 year olds who are YMCA members, under the following conditions:

• Teens must complete a 60-min orientation prior to using the fitness areas. All teens must have a parental consent form on file prior to utilizing the facility.
• Required orientation courses must be completed.
• Teens must present ID cards and course completion cards to floor trainer on duty prior to working out.
• Teens may not bring guests under the age of 18 into the facility.

No exceptions to these policies will be made. We thank you for your cooperation.

Teens may use fitness areas at these designated times:

Monday-Friday: 2-7:30 PM
Saturday-Sunday: 2-8 PM

Teens can learn to swim, improve their skills, or join a youth swim team. Swimming programs are located at the Prospect Park YMCA and are not part of the Teen Center. 

Find a Swim Lesson

Become a certified lifeguard at the Prospect Park YMCA and help save lives.

Become a Lifeguard

Teens can learn to play a sport, develop make new friends, and become empowered in youth sports programs such as basketball, soccer and martial arts. Sports programs are not part of the Teen Center. 

Find a Sports Class

YMCA teen camps in all five boroughs are designed to immerse campers in fun activities that keep them active, learning, and engaged during the summer months. Teen campers participate in hands-on programming geared towards building self-confidence as well as activities designed to engage teens in developing educational and career goals. Campers go on field trips, and participate in swimming, dancing, singing, sports and more!

Find a Day Camp

Teens can participate in traditional sleepaway camps, adventure camps, and sports camps at YMCA Camp in Huguenot, New York, located 86 miles northwest of NYC between the Delaware Water Gap and the Catskill Mountains.

Camp Info