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
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.
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
Afterschool Clubs
Afterschool Clubs
Y Explore offers afterschool clubs with a wide-range of focus areas for K-5 students.
Service and Leadership Club
Art and Expression Club
STEAM Club
Wellness and Movement Club
... and more to come!
Example of Monthly Afterschool Themes
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:
- CLICK HERE TO FIND THE PROGRAM NEAREST YOU & REGISTER ONLINE (Please note: To register for Afterschool Programs for remaining weeks in 2025, please contact your Y location. Online registration is only available for 2026-2027 Afterschool Programs at this time.)
- 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!
2026 - 2027 English Afterschool participant registration form:
Access the English Form Here
Y Explore Programs help your child...
Grow Their Desire to Learn
Through new activities, exciting afterschool clubs and interesting topics, learning becomes fun - something to get excited about.
Gain Critical Thinking Skills
STEAM activities, study assistance and learning new healthy habits all help kids to enhance their cognitive powers at Y Explore!
Enhance Social Emotional Skills
Focusing on social emotional learning, the Y helps kids understand how feelings affect behaviors and how to handle big feelings.
Improve Motivation & Mastery
Building confidence and self-esteem helps motivate kids, improve school performance, and increase potential to attain academic success.
Afterschool FAQs
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Afterschool Directors Contact Information
Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA
Keisha Scott - KeishaS@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-724-9622
Cowart Family YMCA
Adeline Adams - AdelineA@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-451-9622
Isabelle Genut - IsabelleG@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-451-9622
Covington Family YMCA
Bethany Huff - BethanyH@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-787-3908
East Lake Family YMCA
Rachel Dabney - Rachel.Dabney@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-370-5698
Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA
Isabelle Quant - IsabelleQ@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-664-1220
Mercedes Rivas - MercedesR@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-664-1220
Mason Borders - MasonB@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
Daniel Jones - DanielJ@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
Jamal Neason - JamalN@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-635-9622
Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA
Robert Wright - RobertWr@ymcaatlanta.org - 404-523-9622
Summit Family YMCA
Nia Jean-Pierre - NiaJ@ymcaatlanta.org - 770-254-5944
Afterschool Parent Handbook
Weekly Rates
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
Type of Afterschool Locations
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.
Y Explore Locations
Click here for a printable version of the locations list in English.
Y Explore Hours
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.*
*Please note, some locations close at 6:00 PM. Contact your Program Director for site specific information.
Ages
The YMCA Afterschool program is offered to children grades K through 5th who attend a school in which the program is available.
How to Register
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. 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.
Payment Methods
Payments can be made by Debit Card, ACH transfer, Check (at branch), and Credit Card (A 3% fee applies to all credit card payments. This fee helps offset processing costs and is not charged by your credit card company).
Monthly tuition is based on the number of weeks in the month and is due on the first of the month. There is also an option for weekly payments. Weekly payments will be processed the Friday before the week of service.
Financial Assistance
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.
Before first day of attending afterschool, all students must provide...
- Completed Registration Packet
- Copy of your child’s Immunization Record. (Form 3231)
- Parent/Guardian notification of child’s school of attending YMCA Explore Program
YMCA locations that offer Afterschool BY COUNTY
DEKALB COUNTY
East Lake Family YMCA’s Youth & Teen Development Center
1765 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30317
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
Looking for information in Spanish or want a flyer to share with friends?
Click here for a printable PDF with complete information to share in both English.
Y Explore Impact Reports
Click here to view the 2022 - 2023 Y Explore impact report.
Click here to view the 2023 - 2024 Y Explore impact report.