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Afterschool Registration is Now Open

Y Explore logo

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

delta, kaiser permanente and pwc logos

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

Monthly Afterschool Themes

August - Trade Jobs
September - Community & Citizenship 
October - Food & Agriculture
November - Countries Around the World 
December - Entrepreneurship
January - Innovation & Invention 
February - Animals of All Kinds
March - Sports & Athletics 
April - Exploring the Arts
May - 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
  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!

Returning Participant Registration Form
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
Nazeema Sims - NazeemaS@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 
Toshiba Butler - ToshibaB@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-663-3546
Rasul Yamungu - RasulY@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-663-3547
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
Shadae Shamapande - ShadaeS@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-977-5991

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

South Dekalb Family YMCA
Lola Henderson - LolaH@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-987-3500

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
Tatyana Ferguson - TatyanaF@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-635-9622

Wade Walker Park Family YMCA
Jamal Greene - JamalG@ymcaatlanta.org - 678-781-9622

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

Summit Family YMCA
Andrea Black - AndreaB@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 and Walter Young Family 
Buses to the Y from:
Bunche Middle Cascade
Continental Colony Deerwood
Finch
L.O. Kimberly Rise
TAG
Young Middle

On-Site at School:
Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary 
Palmetto Elementary
Parklane Elementary 
Hapeville Elementary 
Brookview Elementary

 

Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA 
Buses to the Y from:
Centennial Academy

On-Site at School:
MA Jones

 

Cowart Family YMCA 
Buses to Y from:
Montgomery Elementary

On-Site at School:
Dunwoody Springs Elementary 
High Point Elementary
Lake Forest Elementary 
Woodland Elementary 
Spalding Elementary
Ison Springs Elementary 
Heards Ferry Elementary

 

Covington Family YMCA 
Buses to Y from:
NCTS
East Newton Elementary

 

East Lake Family YMCA 
On-Site at School:
Ivy Prep Academy

 

Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA 
On-Site at School:
Abbotts Hill Elementary 
Barnwell Elementary
Birmingham Falls Elementary 
Cogburn Woods Elementary 
Creek View Elementary 
Dolvin Elementary
Esther Jackson Elementary 
Findley Oaks Elementary
Hembree Springs Elementary 
Hillside Elementary
Lake Windward
Manning Oaks Elementary 
Medlock Bridge Elementary 
Mimosa Elementary
New Prospect Elementary
Northwood Elementary 
Ocee Elementary
River Eves Elementary 
Shakerag Elementary
State Bridge Crossing Elementary 
Summit Hill Elementary
Sweet Apple Elementary 
Vickery Mill Elementary 
Wilson Creek Elementary

 

J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA 
Buses to Y from:
Cedar Hill Elementary 
Craig Elementary
Jenkins Elementary
Lawrenceville Elementary 
Pharr Elementary
Simonton Elementary 
Starling Elementary 
Winn Holt Elementary 

On-Site at School:
Benefield Elementary 
Mulberry Elementary 
Cooper Elementary

 

Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA 
Buses to Y from:
Simpson Elementary 
Peachtree Elementary 
North Metro Academy 

On-Site at School: 
Graves Elementary
Nesbit Elementary
Stripling Elementary 
Baldwin Elementary

 

Summit Family YMCA 
Buses to the Y from: 
Jefferson Parkway Elementary 
Newnan Crossing Elementary 
Welch Elementary
White Oak Elementary 

On-Site at School: 
Liberty Tech Charter

Villages at Carver Family YMCA
Buses to the Y from
Dunbar Elementary
Wesley International Academy 
Slater Elementary

Wade Walker Park Family YMCA 
Buses to the Y from:
Allgood Elementary
Champion Theme Middle 
Dunaire Elementary
Pine Ridge Elementary 
Princeton Elementary 
Redan Elementary
Redan Middle 
Rockbridge Elementary
Shadow Rock Elementary 
Stephenson Middle
Stone Mountain Elementary 
Wynbrook Elementary

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.