Martial Arts, Fencing & Karate

2025 KABOOM Family Favorites First Place: Overnight Camp, Family Membership & Youth Organization

2025 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: After School Program, Summer Camp, Places to Splash or Swim and Sports Program

The YMCA of Greenville offers classes and activities for children throughout the year at five locations – Caine Halter Family YMCA (downtown Greenville), Eastside Family YMCA (Taylors), Prisma Health Family YMCA (Simpsonville),  YMCA Judson and the George I. Theisen Family YMCA (Travelers Rest). Classes and sports leagues are available to members and non-members.

Basketball: Did you know that basketball was invented at the YMCA? The love for basketball remains at the Y where each player is met at their skill level. Children, ages 4-14, can sign up for summer and winter basketball leagues or try it out for a week in one of our Summer Day Camps 

Soccer: Soccer’s simple rules are a great way to introduce children to sports. The YMCA of Greenville offers spring and fall soccer leagues or kids can try it out for a week in one of our Summer Day Camps. Teams are available for children ages 3-14.

Swim: The YMCA of Greenville offers swim lessons for anyone six months or older. Classes are progressive and build off each individual’s skills and are available throughout the day. For more advanced swimmers, the YMCA has Swim Academy, a specialized program that teaches the basics of swim team and competitive swimming and helps advanced swimmers hone their skills.

T Ball: The YMCA of Greenville’s T-ball program is designed to be a developmental league for the youngest players. Children ages 3-7 will learn the necessary skills they need to master before moving on to play coach’s pitch, travel baseball or travel softball.

Cross Country:  For kids ages 5-14. Participants will build confidence and endurance each time they complete the running trail. Offered at the Prisma Health Family Y in Simpsonville.

Flag Football: Spring and Fall Flag Football is open to children ages 4-14. Participants learn football fundamentals such as footwork, ball control, passing and teamwork.  The Y also offers an all-girls Flag Football option!

Volleyball: Did you know that volleyball was also invented at the YMCA? This popular indoor sport is offered to ages 8-16 twice a year at select branches at the YMCA of Greenville. Kids can also try it out for a week in one of our Summer Day Camps.

Dance: Seasonal dance classes are offered at the Prisma Health Family YMCA in Simpsonville, and throughout the year via Carolina Dance Collaborative at several other YMCA of Greenville locations.

Adventure Guides and Trailblazers: Parent/Child pairs are grouped into circles of others and their surrounding community.  Circles meet on their own for different events and activities on a regular basis and the program as a whole offers events open to all circles throughout the season.  Events include two weekend camps out at YMCA Camp Greenville, pinewood derby race, a chili cook-off and a father-daughter semi-formal Valentines Dance.

Offers karate classes for kids, teens, and adults in 2 locations: Lyman and Taylors.

Kazoku Karate provides a safe environment for children and adults alike to develop physical skills, mental strength and health, build character, discipline, and values through the practice of traditional Karate do Wado Ryu Style.

Kazoku Karate

Offers:  Karate skills classes for all ages with an emphasis on fun and safety, guidance and expertise. Classes for ages 4 and up. Free classes available to determine your child’s interest.

Offers: A variety of martial arts classes for ages 4 and up and all skill levels. The instructors focus on building character and self control along with simple self defense appropriate for children. A free trial class is available.

Offers: Karate classes, self defense training and afterschool enrichment programs at several satellite locations around the upstate teaching the basics of karate and Japanese language skills to help advance to the next level.

Offers: Martial arts classes for ages 4 through adult.

Offers: Recreational and competitive fencing class for a variety of ages and skill levels covering footwork, blade work, tactics and rules of fencing to develop coordination, speed, discipline, balance and endurance. Private lessons are available.

Offers:  Kid, adult and family martial arts classes and life skills with professional instruction. Free trial period is available. Children’s classes start at age 5.