Youth Programs

STORYWALK

Location: Downtown Park                                                                                                                                                                                    Sponsored by: Christiansburg Library and Christiansburg Recreation Department                                                                 Additional Information: This is a nationally known program that promotes reading and exercise in the outdoors for children.  A new book is put in the story boards each month. Come exercise, read and enjoy the fun!  

BEGINNING BATON 

Additional Information: Learn to twirl! Children will be taught the correct way to carry their baton and basic beginning twirls: such as the figure 8, flats, front hand spin, the salute, at attention and at ease. This is a great way to begin preparing for Flag Corp and Baton in middle and high school. Please bring a baton, the instructor has a limited amount.                    Minimum: 4 Maximum: 8

FREESTYLE KARATE  

Eligibility: Ages 6-12    Location: Christiansburg Recreation Center – Multi-Purpose Room 1   Additional Information: Students in this program will train in all facets of Martial Arts giving them a very broad base. The class incorporates the standard 10-belt ranking system, which students will have an opportunity to progress through while expanding their knowledge of Martial Arts. The student will develop a great foundation in formal Martial Arts training while being exposed to basic blocks, strikes, kicks and stances.  These skills encourage development not only of a strong physical foundation, but also of greater focus, discipline, and respect.  Social skills and partner interaction are also encouraged throughout this program.  Uniforms are not required. However, see the instructor at class if you would be interested in purchasing one.   Minimum:  4       Maximum: 8

YOUTH GYMNASTICS

*For information regarding classes and inclement weather, please contact VA Techniques at (540)381-5151 or visit their website at www.vatechniques.com

KINDER KANGAROOS           

Eligibility: Girls and Boys Ages 5 and in Kindergarten  Location: Virginia Techniques Gymnastics 1550 Roanoke Street, Suite C, Christiansburg  Additional Information: No Virginia Techniques membership fee required. Children should wear comfortable clothing, bare feet, no jewelry, and long hair should be pulled back. Class Description: Basic coordination, balance, strength, pattern recognition, and locomotor skills. These skills encourage development of fine and gross motor skills, core strength, reading, writing, and preschool readiness. Social skills and interaction are also encouraged through group games.

LEAPING LIZARDS GYMNASTICS          

Eligibility: Girls and Boys Ages 6 and up- 1st - 3rd grade Location: Virginia Techniques Gymnastics 1550 Roanoke Street, Suite C, Christiansburg  Additional Information: No Virginia Techniques membership fee required. Children should wear comfortable clothing, bare feet, no jewelry, and long hair should be pulled back. Class Description: Basic through intermediate gymnastics skills, coordination, agility, and balance are the main components of this class. Also expect increased self-esteem, confidence building and working through fears. An emphasis of developing strong and flexible bodies will be through repetitions of chin ups, rope climbs, splits, standing bridges, handstands and cartwheels. Students in this class will spend time perfecting their basic skills while learning safe progressions into more intermediate skills. All students will grow at their individual pace with encouragement and positive reinforcement.

KARTWHEELING KOALAS GYMNASTICS           

Eligibility: Girls 4th - 5th grade  Location: Virginia Techniques Gymnastics 1550 Roanoke Street, Suite C, Christiansburg  Additional Information: No Virginia Techniques membership fee required. Children should wear comfortable clothing, bare feet, no jewelry, and long hair should be pulled back. Class Description: Basic through intermediate gymnastics skills, coordination, agility, and balance are the main components of this class. Also expect increased self-esteem, confidence building and working through fears. An emphasis of developing strong and flexible bodies will be through repetitions of chin ups, rope climbs, splits, standing bridges, handstands and cartwheels. Students in this class will spend time perfecting their basic skills while learning safe progressions into more intermediate skills. All students will grow at their individual pace with encouragement and positive reinforcement.  

TUMBLING AND TRAMPOLINE BEGINNER            

Eligibility: Girls and Boys 1st grade and up   Location: Virginia Techniques Gymnastics 1550 Roanoke Street, Suite C, Christiansburg  Additional Information: No Virginia Techniques membership fee required. Children should wear comfortable clothing, bare feet, no jewelry, and long hair should be pulled back. Class Description: This class is designed to help any child learn how to flip! From boys to girls, cheerleaders to dancers, or just anyone who likes to go upside down, tumbling specific classes use aids such as skill cushions, incline mats, back handspring trainers, spring floors, trampolines, and foam pits. Children will focus on core body strength, coordination, flexibility, and body awareness to safely accelerate learning time. Experienced spotters are available to help athletes maintain, develop, and improve handspring and aerial skills. 

GYMNASTRIX             

Eligibility: Boys ages 6 - 8   Location: Virginia Techniques Gymnastics 1550 Roanoke Street, Suite C, Christiansburg               Additional Information: No Virginia Techniques membership fee required. Children should wear comfortable clothing, bare feet, no jewelry, and long hair should be pulled back. Class Description: This class is a boy's beginner gymnastic class. Class will include a variety of activities from: tumbling, bars, vault and strength and conditioning. 

MERIT BADGE PROGRAMS

The following activities are available for boys/girls ages 10-17 interested in improving their health, learning new skills and expanding their work.  This is also an introduction to Scouts BSA and starting a journey of earning badge requirements while having fun!  Once a scout submits a “blue card” (provided in each class) to the troop leader, the troop will purchase and award the badge.

 **Non-Scouts (boys and girls) are also welcome to sign up and learn new skills and topics through these programs as well as experience a part of the program.

PERSONAL MANAGMENT 

Location: Recreation Center – Classroom 1   Additional Information: It is never too early to start learning about money-matters. How to manage money is one of the more important skills to prepare for a responsible and happier adulthood. Financial terminology, planning, budgeting, and practical lessons along with time management skills will fill the day. Bring your own water bottle, lunch and snacks.   This is a partial merit badge with a requirement of logging 13-weeks of income and expenses.  There is no school on October 14 for Montgomery County Schools.    Minimum: 3          Maximum: 8

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE  

Location: Recreation Center – Classroom 1     Minimum: 3          Maximum: 6    Additional Information: Youth need to see their impact on the environment around them and how to learn to live sustainably. Learn about ecology, pollution, endangered species, invasive species, pollination while working on a project that will make a positive effect on the environment. This is an Eagle-Required Merit Badge. There is no schoool on January 4 for Montgomery County Schools.