100% FREE YOUTH SPORTS, MENTORSHIP, & LIFE SKILLS, & OPPORTUNITIES
Today's Youth
Tomorrow's Leader's
Rockford Youth, Sports and Mentoring is dedicated to providing children and teenagers with positive, safe and meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, explore and prepare for their futures.
Our program goes far beyond sports.
Through athletics, mentorship, hands-on life-skills classes, educational opportunities, outdoor adventures, career preparation and new experiences, we want every young person who enters our program to discover something they enjoy, develop confidence and know that there are adults and a community supporting their success.
100% FREE FOR PARTICIPATING YOUTH
We believe a family’s financial situation should never determine whether a child gets an opportunity to participate, learn or discover something new.
Our goal is to provide our programs to participating youth 100% FREE OF CHARGE.
That means our goal is:
• No registration fees
• No program fees
• No participation fees
• No child excluded simply because their family cannot afford an opportunity
SOMETHING FOR EVERY AGE
GRADES 1–3
Soccer & Youth Development
Our developmental soccer program introduces children to soccer while building confidence, teamwork, sportsmanship and fundamental athletic skills.
GRADES 4–5
Flag Football & Youth Development
Our co-ed developmental flag football program teaches football fundamentals, teamwork, leadership, sportsmanship and confidence in a positive environment.
GRADES 6–8
Explore & Build
Hands-on opportunities including cooking, nutrition, introductory auto mechanics, arts and crafts, outdoor exploration, practical life skills and more.
GRADES 9–12
Ready for Life
Financial literacy, résumé development, job interview preparation, career exploration, college exploration, virtual college tours, trades and apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, leadership, nature and outdoor experiences, and practical adult-readiness skills.
BEYOND THE PROGRAM
We want young people to experience places, careers and opportunities they may never have experienced before.
As resources, transportation, partnerships and appropriate supervision allow, participants may have opportunities to experience:
• Camping trips
• Hiking and outdoor adventures
• Fishing
• Museums
• Shedd Aquarium
• Zoos
• Nature and conservation centers
• Science and technology experiences
• College campus visits
• Career-site visits
• Sporting events
• Cultural experiences
• Community service projects
• Educational field trips
• Other opportunities throughout Rockford, Chicago and surrounding communities
Sometimes seeing something new is all it takes for a young person to discover a new interest, career or dream.
SAFETY COMES FIRST
The safety and well-being of every participating child is one of our highest priorities.
Volunteers who will work directly with children are required to successfully complete applicable background screening and program safety requirements before being approved to serve in youth-facing roles.
Coaches, mentors and volunteers are also expected to follow program safety policies, appropriate adult-youth boundaries and our code of conduct.
Our goal is to provide families with an environment where children can learn, participate and develop under responsible adult supervision.
EVERY CHILD DESERVES AN OPPORTUNITY.
We aren’t simply building sports teams.
We’re building confidence.
We’re teaching life skills.
We’re creating experiences.
We’re introducing possibilities.
We’re developing future leaders.
We’re building community.
MORE THAN A GAME. A BRIGHTER TOMORROW.
SIGN UP TODAY — PARTICIPATION IS FREE
CONTACT US
Mr. Marko
Program Director
Rockford Youth, Sports & Mentoring
Phone: 779-513-2404
Email: 815YOUTH@RYSMROCKFORD.ORG
Address: 5970 E. State St., Unit 6, Rockford, IL 61108