Participating in a team sport doesn’t always mean playing soccer, football or baseball. If your child’s interests tend towards the road less traveled, here are some alternative sports options available in the desert.
Every four years we watch Olympic gymnasts soar through the air in disbelief. We often hear of faraway facilities in countries we can’t pronounce where boys and girls began their training. However, such a place exists in the Coachella Valley, known as PowerKids Center. Located in Palm Desert, the 14,000 square foot facility boasts Olympic equipment of all shapes and sizes, in-ground trampolines, tumble tracks, foam pits, and bars galore. There’s even a rock wall.
The center hosts classes of all gymnastic disciplines, including vault, bars, beam, and floor. Athletes from eighteen months old to seniors in high school participate in these classes. There is, guaranteed, a class for any discipline at any level.
PowerKids have different teams that compete at varying levels, some of which are competing in the Junior Olympics. There’s even an athlete pursuing collegiate gymnastics and another destined for the Olympics. Their gymnastics’ teams are ranked high in the nation. They compete all over southern California, with their higher-level teams competing throughout the nation. To accommodate a high level of performance and safety, PowerKids currently employs about twenty U.S. Olympic and Gymnastic safety certified instructors.
“The ‘power’ in PowerKids is not necessarily about brute strength and huge muscles. It’s more about empowering kids,” says Co-Owner and coach Alison Vaughn. The instructors aim to make every child feel special, to teach discipline, build character, create new friendships, have fun, and promote a family-oriented community.
For those interested in joining PowerKids, you are encouraged to check out the website and then call and speak with one of the coaches. Instructors perform an evaluation on each athlete to better place a child in the correct skill level and class. Due to the plethora of classes offered, instructors want to ensure that each child is receiving adequate attention to their athletic needs.
In addition, starting September 7th, PowerKids Center opens their facility on Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. These open gym sessions are for both members and guests alike. During this time, kids ages 5-12 have free reign over the Olympic facility. Coaches kick out the jams and watch kids test their strength, perform acrobatic stunts, and ultimately, have fun.
For more information please visit: http://www.powerkidscenter.com/
