EXCITING NEWS FOR MARION COUNTY TEENS! 🚨
FREE ACCESS TO THE REC CENTER
🎉 Starting August 18, 2025 🎉
We’ve got BIG news — the Marion Family YMCA Rec Center will be 100% FREE for ALL teens in Marion County — no YMCA membership required!
Location: 240 West Church Street
Contact: 740-725-9622, ext. 200
6th -12th Grade
Hours (Starting Aug 18):
Monday – Friday | 2:30 PM – 7:00 PM
What’s at the Rec?
• Full-size Gymnasium
• Teen Lounge
• Art/Maker Space Room
• Tech Lab
How to Register:
• Stop by the Rec Center
• OR download the Guest/Participant Form
➤ Form must be signed by a legal guardian
✔️ Marion City Schools will also provide forms to families at Grant & Harding!
After-School Transportation Provided
By Marion City Schools from:
• Grant Middle School
• Harding High School
Teens must arrange their own ride home and may leave the Rec Center at any time.
Snacks Provided – Thanks to MCS, free snacks will be available every day!
Want to use the main YMCA on Barks Road?
You’ll need a Youth Membership ($16/month).
But for the Rec Center only — no membership needed!
AUGUST ACTIVITY SCHEDULE AT THE REC
LEGO EDUCATION BRICQ MOTION PRIME
Build and code amazing robotics designs with LEGO®Education SPIKE?
Essential STEAM curriculum. With the help of our knowledgeable instructor, you will brainstorm and develop creative solutions through trial and error while working as a team to create and code our
very own LEGO robotics design. We will explore crazy carnival games, quirky creations, and even make our own pinball machine with lights and sounds, all while pushing our creativity to new heights.
“LEGO® Education SPIKE Essential STEAM curriculum units for elementary are designed around playful narrative-based problem-solving with relatable themes that can develop young students into
independent STEAM thinkers.”
Wednesdays
6:00pm-7:00pm
September 3 - October 8(6 Weeks)
Grades 6-8
Members: $40.00
Non-Members: $50.00
TEEN ART NIGHTS AT THE REC CENTER
Get Creative, Get Connected, Have Fun!
Grades 6–12
Join us for hands-on art projects designed just for teens! All sessions run from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Marion Family YMCA Rec Center. Whether you're into painting, crafting, or designing, there's something for everyone!
Stress Balls
August 19 & 20
Make and decorate your own squishy stress-relief balls.
FREE
SEPTEMBER:
MELTING CRAYON ART September 9th & 10th (Tuesday-Wednesday) $3.00
SLIME September 16th & 17th (Tuesday-Wednesday) Free
BUBBLE ART September 23th & 24th (Tuesday-Wednesday) Free
OCTOBER:
CLAY PUMPKINS /LEAF’S October 7th-8th (Tuesday-Wednesday) $3.00
MASON JAR PAINTING October 14th-15th (Tuesday-Wednesday) Free
POTION MAKING October 8th 5:30-6:30 PM Free
Have you ever dreamed of creating magical potions like those found in your favorite books or movies, then this course is for you. With easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step guides, you will learn how to concoct potions that range from love potions to vampire blood.Event is free but space is limited. Registration required
ZOMBIE BARBIE AND KEN DOLLS October 22nd Free
Tweens and Teens will get their hands dirty using paint, scissors, glitter and other supplies to create their own horrifying Zombie creations. You don’t want to miss out on this creepy and absolutely ridiculous activity!
Event is free but space is limited. Registration required
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS SUGAR SKULL October 29th Free
Learn the rich history of Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead while decorating your own unique sugar skull.
NOVEMBER:
STRING PULL PAINTING November 4th -5th (Tuesday-Wednesday) Free
PAINTING CD’S November 12th -13th (Wednesday-Thursday) $3.00
HOMEMADE MAGNETS November 18th -19th (Tuesday-Wednesday) Free
DIY HOLIDAY GNOME November 11th $3.00
Learn how to make your own soft, jolly gnome for the holidays.
DECEMBER:
TIE DYE (Christmas theme) December 2nd -3rd (Tuesday-Wednesday) $3.00
CROC CHARMS October 21st-22nd (Tuesday-Wednesday) $3.00
GINGERBREAD HOUSE ORAMENTS - December 9th $3.00
Painting a Christmas Ceramic 22nd -23rd (Tuesday-Wednesday) FREE
MADDEN 24 GAMING TOURNAMENT
September 18th 5:00-7:00 PM
Are you ready for some video game football?
All gamers, Grades 6-12, are invited to participate in a Madden Tournament on Thursday, September 18 from 5:00-7:00 PM
Head-to-head games will be played on the PS5 and will feature single elimination games with 3 minutes quarters.
Prizes awarded to top three contenders.
Tournament is free but space is limited.
Registration required.
MARIO KART & DELUXE TOURNAMENT
September 25th 5:00-7:00 PM
Start your engines, it's time to race! Join us for a FREE Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tournament. Show off your skills and compete against other players to see who the ultimate champion is! Tournament for grades 6-12.
The tournament format will be single elimination. Participants will race 1 cup series (4 races total) per round from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The top 2 scoring players from each round will advance to the next match. The final round of the tournament will be held for the top 4 players in each group.
Prizes awarded to top three racers.
Tournament is free but space is limited. Registration required.
Location:
Marion Family YMCA Rec Center
Grades 6–12 only
Sign up early — space is limited!
Bring a friend and enjoy creating something awesome together!
For Teens in Grades 6–12 | FREE Event
Join us at the Marion Family YMCA Rec & Resource Center every Third Thursday of the month for a night just for teens! Whether you’re into sports, gaming, art, or just hanging out with friends, there’s
something for everyone. And best of all—it’s totally FREE!
Play basketball in our full-court gym
Compete in gaming contests or explore 3-D printing
in the Tech Lab
Get creative in the art room
Chill in the teen lounge
Join in on themed activities
Where: 240 W Church Street, Marion
When: Every Third Thursday |
1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Cost: FREE
No registration required
New guests must bring a waiver signed by a legal guardian. You can
download the waiver or pick one
up at the Y or Rec Center
2025 Third Thursday Themes:
· August 21: 🎒 Back to School Bash
· September 18: 🍔 BBQ Bash
· October 16: 🍁 Fall Fest
Bring your friends and make new ones—we’ll see you there!
