The Athens YMCA Youth and Athletics Internship Program allows UGA students to serve as coaches, providing unique experiences for those interested in education, youth programs, recreation, and other areas of working with children. The YMCA is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Athens YMCA Youth and Athletics Program enrolls over 300 youth participants each quarter.
Purpose: To enable students to serve as youth and athletic program coaches, gaining valuable leadership experience in working with children.
Sponsor: Office of University Experiential Learning
EL Area: Internship
Interns are responsible for maintaining a sincere interest in providing each participating child with a positive program experience under the direct supervision of the Youth and Family Programs Director and Athletic Director. Interns plan, lead, and implement a variety of activities for children in both small and large group settings and are responsible for the general safety, development, growth, and skill achievement of the participants in their group. Interns provide recreational experiences for participants that focus on the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
“I started working at the YMCA after my freshman year at UGA and it completely changed my college experience. I worked at Camp Kelley and in the youth and athletic programs during the year. The Y is now my full-time job and I can’t imagine being anywhere else!”
– Jordan Osborne, Senior Program Director & UGA Class of 2020
