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New Canaan YMCA

Bouncing Bears Gymnastics

Bouncing Bears Gymnastics

Bouncing Bears Gymnastics

Where Our Community’s Kids Make Their First Friends

Movement is at the very core of how children develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, and of course, physically.  Our Bouncing Bears and Beyond movement education program provides children 12 months and older with a safe, fun, kid-oriented environment where we focus on the total well-being of each child.  Held in the Kid Zone, our unique children’s gym, we often hear life-long friendships are made in Bouncing Bears classes.

The Kid Zone gym is full of challenges for growing muscles and minds. Equipment is set up to enhance gross motor skills and is effectively utilized to keep kids productive throughout their entire class.  Through themed lesson plans, the students experience a variety of bouncing, tumbling, swinging, balancing, rhythm, and body awareness activities, with gymnastics skills developed along the way.

Toddler & Preschool Gymnastics (Ages 12 Months-5 Years)

bouncing bears preschool section

Parent-Child Toddler Classes:

Little Bears (Ages 12-23 Months, With Parent)

Big Bears (Ages 24-36 Months, With Parent)

Meet new friends at this fun-filled gym class for toddlers and parents! Playtime in our Kid Zone will foster your child’s coordination and motor development in swinging, balancing, climbing, running, jumping, rolling and more. The class is set up with exploration time and circle time, which includes the incorporation of songs and weekly themes using a variety of props such as puppets, ribbons, instruments, parachutes, and more. This program has plenty of action, music, and fun, while both kids and parents meet new friends!

 

Child-Only Preschool Classes:

Dynamos (Ages 3-5)

Your child will explore a wide variety of movement concepts and skills through the use of obstacle courses, skill stations, and a variety of games and activities! During our 45 minutes of fun, we will work on basic gymnastics skills (forward and backward roll) and progressions for more challenging skills (handstands and cartwheels), basic sequencing, staying with a group and following directions, as well as social interaction skills.

Tumblebears (Ages 3-5)

Our movement education program provides children with a safe, fun, kid-oriented environment where we focus on the total wellbeing of each child. Through themed lesson plans, the students experience a variety of bouncing, tumbling, swinging, balancing, rhythm, and body awareness activities, with gymnastics skills developed along the way.

MUSICAL BEARS (Ages 3-5)

Musical Bears is a lively preschool class fostering creativity, coordination, and a love for music in young minds. Utilizing our bouncing bears area, our program supplies an engaging and nurturing environment where children can explore a variety of music and the art of movement through playful activities.

Move & Groove Gymnastics Combination Class (Ages 3-5)

Have your little one move and groove in this energy-filled 60-minute combination class! The first 30 minutes focus on building rhythm connections to a variety of music and dance styles; exploring creativity and using our imagination and self-expression to build confidence. Each class finishes with 30 minutes of gymnastics, where we build fundamental movement skills. All classes start in the Mind Body Studio and end in the Kid Zone.

Bouncing Bears is a unique and integrated program that will challenge your child as he or she develops physically and socially. Your child will be exposed to activities that enhance flexibility, balance, rhythm, and motor skills. Age-appropriate classes incorporate music, dance, puppets, relays, games, gymnastics apparatus, skills stations, and creative obstacle courses. An emphasis is placed on community and socials skills, as well as the Y’s core values: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Hot Shots (Ages 4-5)

Each class incorporates a warm-up, obstacle course, skill & station practice, and group time utilizing fun games, relays, parachute, and more! With an increased attention span and improved strength and flexibility, progression of skills are acquired more easily. Combinations of skills are presented to improve their memory. Social skills, problem solving, and creative thinking are emphasized. Target skills: tuck, straddle, and straight jumps, run, jump, and roll, inverted hang on rings, hopping on one foot, cartwheels over block, and so much more!

Gym & Swim Combination Class (Ages 3-5)

This 90-minute combination class features two specialties in one class! In the first 45 minutes, children will develop their skills learning basic tumbling and preschool gymnastics through stations, circuits, and games. The second half of class features a 30-minute swim class taught by a YMCA swim instructor. Children will be accompanied by their gym instructor and MUST come prepared with their bathing suit on under their gym clothes. Drop off in Kid Zone/Pick up in the Forese Family Pool. Those interested in participating in only the gym portion of this class may do so, space permitting. Please contact Donna Carpenter at 203-920-1639 or by email.

Little Flips (Ages 3-5)

This structured class focuses on movement education and creative expression through the use of developmentally appropriate gymnastics skills. Our preschool program is a great way to improve your child’s self-confidence, flexibility, body-awareness, and listening skills.

School Age Gymnastics (Ages K-8+)

bouncing bears schoolage section

Child-Only School Age Classes:

Move & Groove Gymnastics (Ages K-8 years)

This 90-minute class features two specialties in one class! Each class features 45 minutes of aerobic exercise incorporating a mix of fun dance styles, followed by 45 minutes of structured gymnastics. All classes start in the Mind Body Studio and end in the Kid Zone.

Tap & Tumble (Ages K-8 years)

This one-hour combo class offers children the chance to build tumbling skills while also exploring tap movements as we work on rhythms and coordination. Tap Segment: 30 minutes of basic tap building to more complex moves (tap shoes required). Gymnastics Segment: 30 minutes of tumbling and gymnastics progressions.

Our recreational gymnastics program offers a variety of classes designed to be fun and challenging and that will enhance your child’s overall athletic ability. It is a great fit for kids who want to learn gymnastics skills, stay fit, build strength and flexibility but don’t want to commit to long hours in the gym or partake in competitions. It is our goal to help each and every gymnast enjoy the sport of gymnastics and discover their potential in a positive and encouraging environment. Please contact Donna Carpenter at 203-920-1639 or by email with any questions.

Kinderbears (Ages K-6.5 Years)

This class is designed as a bridge between our preschool and grade school programs for children who need more of a challenge and can follow directions. Students will work on tumbling skills similar to our Novas 1 school-age class and more equipment-specific skills, as well as fun games and activities each week.
Season: Fall, Winter, & Spring.

Novas: Level 1 Beginner (Ages K-7 Years) 

This class is for those ready for a structured format in our recreational gymnastics program. Our goal is to instill confidence and help children develop basic gymnastic moves that will help them improve involvement in all sports. This class is taught with a strong emphasis on tumbling and allows each child to develop at their own pace.
Seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring.

Novas: Level 2 Advanced Beginner (Ages 7+ Years, Some Experience) 

This 90-minute combination class features two specialties in one class! In the first 45 minutes, children will develop their skills learning basic Focus is on learning and improving basic skills including cartwheels, handstands, backbends, rolls, kick-overs, back handsprings, and bar & beam moves. We will challenge athletes individually to help improve their gymnastics skills.
Seasons: Fall, Winter &  Spring.

Supernovas: Level 3 Intermediate-Advanced (Ages 7+ Years, Experience Required) 

This structured class focuses on movement education and creative expression through the use of developmentally appropriate This intermediate-advanced class is for those who have mastered the basics, including back rolls, cartwheels, and handstands. We will focus on refinement and more difficult moves and combinations.
Seasons: Fall, Winter & Spring.

Move & Groove Gymnastics (Ages K-8 Years)

This 90-minute class features two specialties in one class! Each class features 45 minutes of aerobic exercise incorporating a mix of fun dance styles, followed by 45 minutes of structured gymnastics. All classes start in the Mind Body Studio.
Seasons: Fall, Winter & Spring.

Tap & Tumble (Ages K-8 Years)

Each class incorporates a warm-up, obstacle course, skill & station practice, and group time utilizing fun games, relays, parachute, and This one-hour combo class offers children the chance to explore tap movements as we work on rhythms and coordination, and tumbling. Tap Segment: 30 minutes of basic tap to more complex moves, with great music! Tap shoes required. Gymnastics Segment: 30 minutes of tumbling and gymnastics progressions.
Seasons: Fall & Winter.

Kinderbears (Ages K-6.5 years)

This class is designed as a bridge between our preschool and grade school programs for children who need more of a challenge and can follow directions. Students will work on tumbling skills and more equipment-specific skills, as well as fun games and activities each week.

Bouncing Bears Open Gym (Ages 4 and Under, Pre-K)

bouncing bears open gym section

Open Gym

Days & Hours:
Tuesdays: 5:30-6:30 pm
Wednesdays: 12:15-1:00 pm
Thursdays: 3:15 – 4:00 pm
Fridays: 11:30-12:15; 12:15-1:00 pm
Saturdays: 2:00-2:45 pm; 2:45-3:30 pm

*Open gym times are subject to change and will vary during vacation weeks.

Location: Kid Zone

Fee: Free with a Family Membership or when enrolled in a Bouncing Bears Gymnastics class | $20.00 for all others

Advance sign-up for Bouncing Bears Open Gym times is available online three days in advance through our membership portal.

Non-members and local Y reciprocity members must also purchase a day pass to participate in Bouncing Bears Open Gym.

Please note: For the safety of all, each Open Gym time is limited to 12 children on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents are required to stay and supervise play. Please pick up an Open Gym pass at the Front Desk.

For additional information and any questions about Bouncing Bears Open Gym, contact Mason Capozza, Youth Program Associate, by email.

Class Rules & Procedures

  • Only one parent allowed in parent/child classes.
  • All children in drop-off classes must bring a water bottle with name clearly marked.
  • Workout Attire: shorts and a t-shirt, sweats, or leotard (please note: no shoes, socks, tights, dresses, or jewelry).

Make-Up Policy

Missed classes due to illness may be made up in another class during the session, space permitting. Please schedule a make-up class in advance with your class instructor or by contacting Phil Prout at 203-920-1635 or by email. If a class is canceled by the Y due to inclement weather or an emergency, every effort will be made to offer a make-up class.

Please note: if a participant cannot attend the make-up class, no credit/refund will be issued.

Contact

For additional information and any questions, contact Phil Prout at 203-920-1635 or by email.

Online Registration & Program Brochures