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Y Explore Afterschool Programs include a recently reimagined curriculum that is innovative, learner-centered, and includes programmed activities, club activities, and imagination stations to align with the YMCA’s strategic plan goals for career awareness and skill building for grades K through 5.

Each month at Y Explore, monthly themes connect curriculum and club activities, tying everything together for a cohesive afterschool experience. Y Explore programs support language and literacy, particularly for K-3rd graders, as well as offering a focus on STEAM activities. Financial literacy programs are also included at all afterschool sites.

What You'll Find at Y Explore
group of Y Explore afterschool kids posing for a picture around their project
Y Explore participants at the East Lake Family YMCA working together on a project.

Engaging & Enhanced Curriculum

  • Monthly Themes
  • Imagination Station
  • Afterschool Clubs
  • Specialized Program Activities
  • Focus on Career Exploration 
  • Healthy Living Components & Activities
  • Power of 30/45 Homework Time
  • Curriculum developed in partnership with Mount Vernon Ventures, experts in design thinking and curriculum development.
An afterschool director taking a picture with afterschool kids after a project
Y Explore Participants at the Summit Family YMCA showing off their artwork.




 

 

 

 

Social Emotional Learning                          
The YMCA has partnered with WINGS for Kids to provide kids foundational life skills by integrating social emotional learning in all afterschool programs. 

Kids will learn the SEL core competencies which include self-awareness, management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. 

Learn more about the Y Words to Live By here

Evaluation For Continuous Growth 
In order to understand progress and build on success and growth for each child, evaluation is an important part of Y Explore. Our partners at Hello Insight work with us to evaluate outcomes for positive youth development. 

Caring & Quality Staff
Each Y Explore location is staffed 1:18 staff to child ratio. 



 

 Y Explore Afterschool and Clubs are sponsored by

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Afterschool Clubs

Y Explore offers afterschool clubs with a wide-range of focus areas for K-5 students. 

Center Stage - For Theatre & Drama Lovers
Civic Connections - Community Service Adventures
Cultural Crossroads - Culture & Diversity Club
Design Den - Exploring the Arts
Full STEAM Ahead - Focus on Everything STEAM
Outdoor Adventures - For Nature Exploration 
Page Turners - Focusing on Reading & Books
Top Score - Learn & Play Sports

Example of Monthly Afterschool Themes

Trade Jobs
Community & Citizenship 
Food & Agriculture
Countries Around the World 
Entrepreneurship
Innovation & Invention 
Animals of All Kinds
Sports & Athletics 
Exploring the Arts
Environmental Science & The Outdoors

HOW TO REGISTER 

To register for Y Explore Afterschool, please complete this TWO-STEP PROCESS: 

  1. CLICK HERE TO FIND THE PROGRAM NEAREST YOU & REGISTER ONLINE (Please note: To register for Afterschool Programs for remaining weeks in 2024, please contact your Y location. Online registration is only available for 2025 Afterschool Programs at this time.)
  2. Complete the registration packet for your location by clicking the button below. Print out the packet, fill it in, and return the packet to your location. If you do not have access to a printer, come to the Y and we'll print it out for you!

2025 - 2026 Returning Participant Registration Form Coming Soon
Access the English Form Here
Access the Spanish Form Here
 

Y Explore Programs help your child...

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Grow Their Desire to Learn
Through new activities, exciting afterschool clubs and interesting topics, learning becomes fun - something to get excited about.
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Gain Critical Thinking Skills
STEAM activities, study assistance and learning new healthy habits all help kids to enhance their cognitive powers at Y Explore!
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Enhance Social Emotional Skills
Focusing on social emotional learning, the Y helps kids understand how feelings affect behaviors and how to handle big feelings.
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Improve Motivation & Mastery
Building confidence and self-esteem helps motivate kids, improve school performance, and increase potential to attain academic success.

Y Explore Parent Testimonials

YMCA teacher helping student on laptop

"Y Explore is good at keeping a family fun environment for its members. my kid never wants to leave."

Y explore instructor looking over an experiment with Y explore participants

"Y Explore has helped my child with her social emotional needs. She has grown so much and is doing better at regulating her emotions!"

Y Explore participant using a tablet

"Y Explore is a safe place for my child to let energy out at and make friends."

Afterschool FAQs
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Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA
Keisha Scott - KeishaS@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-724-9622

Cowart Family YMCA
Lesjune Boatwright - LesjuneB@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-451-9622

Covington Family YMCA
Bethany Huff - BethanyH@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-787-3908

East Lake Family YMCA
Davonne Tillman - DavonneT@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-370-5640
Mariyln Latham - MarilynL@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-370-5640

Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA 
Isabelle Quant - IsabelleQ@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-663-3546
Mercedes Rivas - MercedesR@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-664-1220

Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA 
Maya Ferguson - MayaF@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-246-9622

McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA
Patra Hills - PatraH@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-977-5991

Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead 
Cydni White - CyndiW@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-350-9292

J.M. Tull Gwinnett Family YMCA 
Ashley Baker - AshleyB@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-963-1313
Leslie Pavez - LeslieP@ymcaatlanta.org  - 770-963-1313

The Villages at Carver Family YMCA
James Carroll - JamesC@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-635-9622

Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA 
Jamilah Brunson - JamilahB@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-523-9622

Summit Family YMCA
Nia Jean-Pierre - NiaJ@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-254-5944

Full-Time (3 or more days per week): $85.00
Part-Time (1-2 days per week): $45.00
Special Free/Reduced Lunch Full-Time Rate: $55.00
 

YMCA Branch: In our YMCA branch-based locations, the Y picks up from local elementary schools and transports back to the YMCA. Parents will pick up their children at the YMCA.

Onsite at Local Schools: The YMCA offers afterschool on-site at several school locations in participating school districts. 

Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA 
 

Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA Schools (program on site): 
Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary 
Palmetto Elementary 
Hapeville Elementary 
Brookview Elementary 
 

Buses to the Y from Schools: 
Cascade 
Continental Colony 
KIPP Strive Academy 
TAG 
Ethos Classical 
 

Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA 

Centennial Academy 
Buses to the Y From: 
Kipp Way Academy 

Cowart Family YMCA 

On-site at school: 

Dunwoody Springs Elementary 
High Point Elementary 
Lake Forest Elementary 
Woodland Elementary 
Ison Springs Elementary 
Heards Ferry Elementary 

Buses to the Y from school: 
Montgomery 
 

Covington Family YMCA 

Buses to the Y from: 
NCTS 
East Newton 
 

East Lake Family YMCA 

Program held at school: 
Ivy Prep Academy 
Toomer Elementary 

 

Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA 

Abbotts Hill Elementary School 
Barnwell Elementary School 
Birmingham Falls Elementary School 
Cogburn Woods Elementary School 
Creek View Elementary School 
Dolvin Elementary School 
Esther Jackson Elementary School 
Findley Oaks Elementary School 
Hembree Springs Elementary School 
Hillside Elementary School 
Lake Windward Elementary School 
Manning Oaks Elementary School 
Medlock Bridge Elementary School 
Mimosa Elementary School 
New Prospect Elementary School 
Northwood Elementary School 
Ocee Elementary School 
River Eves Elementary School 
Shakerag Elementary School 
State Bridge Crossing Elementary School 
Summit Hill Elementary School 
Sweet Apple Elementary School 
Vickery Mill Elementary School 
Wilson Creek Elementary School 
 

J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA 

Buses to Y from School: 
Cedar Hill 
Craig 
Jenkins 
Lawrenceville 
Pharr 
Simonton 
Starling 
Winn Holt 
 
Program Held at School: 
Mulberry 
Cooper 
 

Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA 

Buses to the Y From: 
Peachtree 
Simpson 
 
Programs Held at School: 
Graves Elementary 
Nesbit Elementary 
Stripling Elementary 
Baldwin Elementary 
 

Summit Family YMCA 

Buses to the Y from: 
Newnan Crossing Elementary 
Welch Elementary 
White Oak Elementary 
 

Villages at Carver Family YMCA 

Buses to the Y from: 
Dunbar Elementary 
Slater Elementary  
Dobb Elementary School 
Wesley International Academy 
Price Middle School 
KIPP Vision Academy 

Click here for a printable version of the locations list in English and Spanish.

YMCA Afterschool is a full-time program that offers afterschool care during the school year, Monday-Friday on school days from school dismissal until 6:30 pm.

The YMCA Afterschool program is offered to children grades K through 5th who attend a school in which the program is available.

All Afterschool registration can be done online by clicking the button at the top of this page, or by visiting ymcaatlanta.org/activity-finder. You can also register in- person at your YMCA.

Note: Registration for afterschool programs at the Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA is available online only.

Registering for Y Explore is a commitment from the first day of enrollment until the end of the school year. The first week or month payment and a deposit of $1.00 for each future month is required at the time of registration. A two-week written notice must be received at the YMCA branch in order to withdraw from the afterschool program.

Participants are only able to start on Mondays. You must be registered by noon the Friday before you would like your child to begin the Y Afterschool program.

Register Now

Payments can be made by auto draft or by invoice. Monthly tuition is based on number of weeks in the month.There is an option for monthly or weekly payments. All payments are due two weeks prior month/week tuition.

The YMCA acceptsVisa, Mastercard, AmericanExpress, and Discover for payments.

As a non-profit organization, the YMCA provides financial assistance to families in need, enabling them to participate in Y programs. Financial assistance is made possible through generous donations to the Why It Matters Annual Campaign by members, volunteers, staff and our community. However, financial assistance is limited and the amount of assistance is determined by family income and other factors.

The YMCA accepts third party payment from organizations that help families in need. An agreement must be in place between the designated organization and the YMCA prior to the child's start date in the program. If applying for CAPS, we recommend that you do so two months prior to your child's anticipated program start date. If you have applied and are awaiting a response from your CAPS Case Worker, please let your Afterschool Director know.

If your child qualifies for free or reduced school lunch, please provide documentation to the YMCA and your child's fee will be automatically reduced to $55.00 per week.

Please note that each family may only use one form of financial assistance.

  • Completed Registration Packet
  • Copy of your child’s Immunization Record. (Form 3231)
  • Parent/Guardian notification of child’s school of attending YMCA Explore Program

DEKALB COUNTY

East Lake Family YMCA’s Youth & Teen Development Center 
1765 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30317

Wade Walker Park Family YMCA
5605 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30088

COWETA COUNTY

Summit Family YMCA
1765 East Hwy 34, Newnan, GA 30265

FULTON COUNTY

Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA
2220 Campbellton Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30311

Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA 
555 Luckie Street, Atlanta, GA 30313

Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead 
1160 Moores Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30327

Cowart Family YMCA
3692 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319

Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA
3655 Preston Ridge Road, Alpharetta, GA 30005

The Villages at Carver Family YMCA 
1600 Pryor Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30315

GWINNETT COUNTY

J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA
2985 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30045

Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA
5600 W. Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

NEWTON COUNTY

Covington Family YMCA
2140 Newton Drive, Covington, GA 30014

Click here for a printable PDF with complete information to share in both English & Spanish.

Click here to view the 2022 - 2023 Y Explore impact report.

Click here to view the 2023 - 2024 Y Explore impact report.