PICK UP A SKILL
When school is over and you get some free time, what do you do?
What's Easy
Being a spectator in someone else’s life on your phone.
What's Rewarding
Trying new things and making memories.
What's Easy
Unintentionally scrolling on your phone for hours.
What's Rewarding
Learning a skill you always wanted to master.
When you step out of your comfort zone and take those positive risks, you’ll grow and become a better version of yourself.
If you’re in Kentucky and you want to break out of your routine by chasing a new goal, check out these organizations that are ready to help you.
Northern Kentucky Youth Athletics
This nonprofit is dedicated to providing opportunities for middle school students to play the following sports: basketball, baseball, cheerleading, football, flag football, indoor flag football, and wrestling. Visit their site to learn more:
Sports of all Sorts
Located in Florence, this nonprofit focuses on providing a variety of team sports across their facilities for kids and teens ages 3-18. Visit their website to see all their offerings!
Northern Kentucky Youth Football League
This organization has multiple chapters throughout Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Gallatin, Pendleton & Grant counties to allow kids 5-12 to play football in a fun and safe environment.
Limestone KY YMCA
Located in Maysville, this YMCA offers a variety of sports for teens, such as basketball and pickleball, but it’s also a great place to work out and strengthen your body. To learn more, visit their website:
Creative House of Art & Design
This nonprofit is dedicated to Located in Covington, this organization offers creative art classes and summer camps for youth ages 5-15 for a low cost.
Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center:
Located in Covington, this center hosts ceramics, cooking, painting, drawing, and other types of artistic workshops for kids and teens. Whether you want to learn how to make delicious meals or learn how to make a charcoal portrait, you can visit this site to learn more!
Crestview Hills Board & Brush:
Get crafty with woodworking at Board and Brush! This organization hosts workshops to teach you how to turn wood signs into quality home decor. Whether you want to have a party with friends or attend a virtual workshop, this will be a unique experience to try!
Local library systems:
Whether you live in Boone or Kenton County, your libraries are a great place to learn a new skill or try a new event! If you’re not sure where the closest library is, use this tool to find yours!
Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road – Erlanger
If you’re in Erlanger, you can earn badges while challenging yourself with new adventures as a Girl Scout! Joining a troupe will allow you to grow as a leader and experience new activities like visiting animal shelters, camping, or selling their iconic cookies!
Future Farmers of America (FFA)
This student-led organization promotes the education and development of youth in Kentucky who are interested in farming and agriculture. Click the link below to find a chapter near you:
Morehead Parks and Recreation’s League Sports:
If you’re interested in joining a sports league and being part of a team, you can check out Morehead’s local sports opportunities.
The Appalachian Center for The Arts
Immerse yourself in the world of theater and acting by taking an improv class or singing your heart out at a musical lesson. Located in Pikeville, this organization will let you step up on stage and shine!
Appalachian Artisan Center
Located in Hindman, this organization offers ceramics, blacksmithing, and luthiery workshops for everyone to try.
FIRST Robotics:
This organization allows kids and teens to try robotics through a series of competitions.
Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road
If you’re in Ashland, you can earn badges while challenging yourself with new adventures as a Girl Scout! Joining a troupe will allow you to grow as a leader and experience new activities like visiting animal shelters, camping, or selling their iconic cookies!
Future Farmers of America (FFA)
This student-led organization promotes the education and development of youth in Kentucky who are interested in farming and agriculture. Click this link to find a chapter near you:
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA):
This is a national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education in public and private schools. Members have the opportunity to take part in events designed to offer career preparation and exploration. Statewide organization.
YMCA of Central Kentucky
With four different branches in Lexington and one in Frankfort, you can find activities like basketball, soccer, flag football, martial arts, and more when you join this gym! To learn more about other athletic opportunities and events for kids and teens, visit their website.
Appalachian Arts Alliance:
This organization in Hazard offers a variety of workshops, camps, and lessons that allows kids and teens to try artistic activities like music, dance, painting, and others.
Lexington Tennis Club
Visit one of the biggest indoor tennis facilities in the country and play with your friends! You can also sign up and try other fitness activities, like yoga or working with weights.
Central Kentucky Hockey
This organization provides youth ice hockey programs for kids and teens of all ages and skill levels in Lexington and the greater Central Kentucky region.
Stars Gym and Cheer
Try cheer, tumbling, or even a ninja course at this fun location in Paris!
Legacy All Sports
Visit the largest recreational gym in Central Kentucky and leap into the exciting world of gymnastics! This facility is located in Lexington and will provide you with thrilling new skills
Elizabethtown Sports Park
This organization allows youth to join leagues for different youth sports.
Dunbar Community Center
Located in Lexington, Dunbar Community Center offers a weight room, exercise rooms, game rooms, an Esports lounge and flexible event spaces.
Art Center of the Bluegrass
Expand your mind and your skills by taking an exciting art class! Whether it’s ceramics, painting, or a new craft, you’ll have a great time here. The Art Center is located in Danville.
Kentucky Classic Arts at Centre Square
Located in Lebanon, this organization allows students to enrich themselves with knowledge of music, theater, and dance.
Uniting Voices Lexington
Uniting Voices Lexington is a vocal ensemble for youth in grades 6 through 12 across the city and the wider Bluegrass region.
Paint Spot
Located in Louisville, this ceramic painting studio allows you to book a class for a low cost and enjoy some relaxing crafting time!
Headquarters Archery Range
If you’d like to try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow, you can check out this facility located on the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources campus in Frankfort.
Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America
Located in Louisville, you can sign up for your local Boy Scouts troop and learn about adventure, friendship, and services while developing cool, new skills!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass:
Find a mentor in your area who can inspire you to be your best self and learn more about yourself! You’ll be paired with a “Big” who’ll work 1:1 with you by supporting you and teaching you important lessons. Their home office is in Lexington, but they serve 14 counties in Kentucky.
Champion Force Athletics
This cheerleading program is dedicated to providing affordable and high quality classes to young girls in Kentucky. Visit their website to see if there’s a location near you.
Southern Kentucky Soccer Club
This organization in Bowling Green is dedicated to providing a positive soccer experience for kids ages 2-18. You can sign up to participate in a recreational league or a more competitive one, depending on what you wish to do.
Bowling Green Parks and Recreation
This local government office offers different athletic leagues and facilities for youth to participate in their town.
Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center
TThis organization allows youth to get involved in the arts through community theater productions, classes, and summer camps.
Arts for All Kentucky
Located in Murray, this organization focuses on making arts accessible for people with disabilities
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
This is a national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education in public and private schools. Members have the opportunity to take part in events designed to offer career preparation and exploration. Statewide organization.
4-H Kentucky:
4-H is an organization focused on "learning by doing" to help kids and teens build confidence, life skills, and responsibility. Through hands-on projects in agriculture, science (STEM), health, and community service, you’ll learn to use your Head, Heart, Hands, and Health to lead and thrive.
Future Farmers of America (FFA)
This student-led organization promotes the education and development of youth in Kentucky who are interested in farming and agriculture. Click the link below to find a chapter near you:
MAKE Paducah
This creative studio offers special workshops and classes for kids and teens to get crafty with skills like painting, crocheting, and drawing for low fees.
Owensboro Youth Hockey Association
They offer a variety of programs, including one for high school students who wish to play hockey at the local level, but also want to reach the national level.
Girls Inc. Sporting Chance
This program in Owensboro helps girls build a foundation for enjoying sports, adventure and physical activity throughout their lives.
Light of Chance’s Breathe
This program located in Owensboro and Madisonville offers classes like culinary arts, creative writing, and music at low costs for teens.
Western Kentucky University’s String Academy
This program offers high-quality instruction for violin and viola for youth ages 5 –18. It’ll allow you to participate in solo recitals, group concerts, public performances, and master classes by world-renowned artists.
Kentucky Quiz Bowl Alliance
If you know random trivia facts and have a competitive side, you’ll love trying Quiz Bowl. This competitive, buzzer-based academic quiz game where teams of students answer questions on topics like literature, history, science, and pop culture to score points. You can connect with other students like yourself and get involved in local competitions!
4-H Youth Development in Carlisle County
Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity through a variety of activities. Visit their website to learn about what opportunities you can get involved in!
Kentucky Chess Association
If you’d like to start playing, or you’re a pro, this site allows you to check out local chess clubs in Western Kentucky.
Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana Pennyroyal PLC
Earn bagdes while you challenge yourself with new adventures as a Girl Scout! Joining a troupe will allow you to grow as a leader and experience new activities like visiting animal shelters, camping, or selling their iconic cookies!
Future Farmers of America (FFA)
This student-led organization promotes the education and development of youth in Kentucky who are interested in farming and agriculture. Click this link to find a chapter near you: