Young Athletes
Young Athletes Program (YAP)
Balance 180 Sports & Gymnastics Academy, with the help of its community, introduces the first Young Athletes Program (YAP) to Alachua County. The Young Athletes Program (YAP) is an innovative and adaptive sports program for children with intellectual disabilities and their peers who are between the ages of 2 and 7. The goal of YAP is to introduce these children to the world of sports and help develop their motor, cognitive, social, adaptive and communications skills in an inclusive environment. This program is not currently meeting due to COVID, but we hope to be back in action soon.
Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Started by the Special Olympics, YAP was designed to meet the specific physical and developmental needs of young children, and offer their families the opportunity to share the success of their future athlete. Completion of this program consistently results in children showing great improvement in their basic motor skills such as walking, balancing, jumping, trapping, throwing, striking and many more. Besides fine motor skills, both children with and without intellectual disabilities learn to be respectful peers and are always encouraged to cheer each other on during training sessions.
We are so excited to bring YAP to Alachua County!
Email balance180YAPcoordinator@gmail.com for more information or to reserve your child’s spot!
Email balance180volunteers@gmail.com for more information about volunteering!