The BGC Niagara believes child and youth participation in recreation and leisure activities builds confidence, self-esteem and broadens their range of skills and knowledge.
Working with community program partners, BGC offers a wide variety of skill-building programs in arts, dance, and sports in a low-cost participation model. By participating in diverse activities, taught by qualified staff dedicated to helping every child find their talents, children can develop introductory and intermediate skills with the opportunity to access community linkages to continue at higher levels.
Please note that registration is online only on Active
Online Spring Registration is Now Open!
If you need financial assistance for your child’s aquatics or recreation programs there are several programs that may be able to help.
Jumpstart
https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/pages/individual-child-grants
Please note that registration is online only on Active
Sports and Recreation
Note that some or all of these programs may be offered during each seasonal session.
Mini Mover
(18 months – 3 years) Parent participation required.
Cooperative games and fun can never start too young. A program focused on being physically active and working together for both child and parent.
Little Movers
(3- 5 years) Parent participation required.
Cooperative games and fun can never start too young. A program focused on being physically active and working together for both youth and parents.
Jitterbugs
(18 months – 3 yrs.) Parent participation required.
Our starter dance class where children and parents dance together and learn how to have some fun to the rhythm of the music. Designed to get children to enjoy music, you will find the parents having as much fun and learning as much as the children. Come on over and get in the groove.
Jr. Dance
(3-5 yrs.)
This program is an introduction to the world of dance for your child. Children will explore the fundamentals of dance in a safe and nurturing environment. This program focuses on movement, co-ordination, and spatial awareness. The emphasis of the program is on having fun.
Dance
(6 – 8 yrs.)
This program is an introduction to the world of dance for your child. Children will explore the fundamentals of dance in a safe and nurturing environment. This program focuses on movement, coordination, and spatial awareness. The emphasis of the program is on having fun.
Hip Hop Dance
(8-12 years)
Learn the fundamentals of Hip Hop and find the funky dancer within! This high-energy class improves physical fitness, rhythm, movement, and self-confidence.
Tiny Tumblers
(18 months – 3 yrs.) Parent participation required.
Our starter gymnastics class, parent, and child are together in a fun-filled environment. Taught by qualified gymnastics instructors this very basic gymnastics course teaches about how to move and some knowledge of pint-sized gymnastic equipment.
Jr. Gymnastics
(3- 5 years) Parent participation required.
These recreational gymnastics classes are designed to teach children the basics of the sport with an emphasis on skill-building and fun. Certified instructors will be working with the children on coordination, balance, and flexibility while keeping safety in mind. Children will participate in the following disciplines: floor, and low beam.
Senior Gymnastics
(6-12 years)
These recreational gymnastics classes are designed to teach children the basics of the sport with an emphasis on skill-building and fun. Certified instructors will be working with the children on co-ordination, balance, and flexibility while keeping safety in mind. Children will participate in the following disciplines: floor and low beam.
Martial Arts – Beginner /Advanced
(7-12 years) Class is combined and each child will be evaluated by an instructor.
Instructors from United Family Martial Arts conduct classes in a disciplined and safe environment. Children will learn a combination of self-defense techniques, personal safety, and protection. Physical fitness and fun are incorporated into the classes taught by qualified instructors.
Try Sport
(3-5 years)
A fun opportunity to try out popular sporting options! This twelve-week program introduces youth to soccer, basketball, floor hockey, and others while encouraging teamwork, good sportsmanship, and participation. A great way to discover your new favourite sport!
Basketball
(7 –10 years)
Make friends and have fun playing basketball while learning skills, coordination, and sportsmanship. Drills, activities, and games will help to develop skills and ability.
Soccer
(7-10 years)
Have fun learning the fundamentals of soccer. Classes will include games, skills, and drills designed to help develop coordination, teamwork, and ability.
Kitchen Creations
(6–12 years)
1-Hour Kitchen Creations Classes
This condensed version of the program focuses on core learning outcomes and simple recipes. Designed as introductory-level or single-skill experiences. They focus on preparing simple, minimal-prep recipes or pre-planned dishes where some ingredients may already be prepared.
What’s Included:
- A brief discussion on the lesson theme (e.g., “Cultural Foods,” “Food Marketing,” or “Nutritious Choices”)
- Safety and hygiene instruction
- One moderate-prep recipe
- Core hands-on cooking activity (condensed steps or staff-assisted prep)
- Quick group tasting and clean-up
- Reflection or evaluation at the end of the session
1.5-Hour Kitchen Creations Classes
This version offers the complete delivery of the program. Longer sessions allow for deeper exploration of culinary skills, teamwork, and more complex recipes involving full cooking or baking processes.
What’s Included:
- Complex or multi-step recipes
- Group cooking with rotations, measurements, and hygiene
- More opportunities for skill-building and mentorship
- Kitchen science, meal planning, or budgeting discussions
- Promotes deeper food literacy, cultural understanding, and confidence in the kitchen
- Supports broader outcomes like youth voice, healthy eating habits, and cultural pride
- Reflection or evaluation at the end of class
Ninja
(6-9 years)
Our Ninja classes will develop physical fitness and character traits as the students learn new skills in a fun and safe environment. Ninja Classes are obstacle course run training with aspects of gymnastics, tumbling, and physical fitness. Ninjas will have fun while working on focus and concentration, agility, balance, spatial awareness, perseverance, Confidence and so much more!
Cheerleading
(6-9 years)
Our cheerleading classes will give participants a taste of the sport of Cheer. Classes will combine jumps, tumbling, stunting, motions (dance) and so much more! The athletes will work towards learning a fun and challenging routine and performing it for friends and family at the end of the session.
Make a Little Noise
(3-5 years)
Building on your little one’s natural love of music, each week participants will explore new sounds, rhythms, and tempos designed to boost creativity and unlock the imagination. Sing songs, basic instruments, and even a little dancing is all part of the fun! Parents are welcome to participate.
Make a Little Mess
(3-5 years)
Finger paint, slime, and homemade Play-Doh. If your budding artist doesn’t mind getting a little dirty, then this is the program for them! Each week, a new medium will be introduced, designed to enhance fine motor skills, imagination, and creativity! Getting a little messy isn’t just allowed, it’s encouraged!
Be Creative
(6-12 years)
Kids are encouraged to ‘be themselves’ in an environment that is relaxed, creative, and fun, allowing young artists the freedom to explore their potential. Weekly activities will introduce a variety of arts, crafts, and drama exercises.
EJ Freeland Community Centre
Individual Fitness
Our fitness space consists of a variety of strength equipment, free weights and cardio equipment including treadmills, rowers, cross trainers, upright and recumbent bikes and arc trainers. The fitness space is open to those 15 years of age or older with the purchase of a centre pass during all operational hours.
Group Fitness
Group Fitness programs are held at the EJ Freeland Community Centre and are available to the community by registering in advance. For registration please visit: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/bgcniagara/Home
or contact 905-871-2592 ext. 222.
Adults and youth 15 years of age or older are permitted to register for group fitness classes.
Pricing & Duration
Group fitness classes are offered for a four-week duration. Each class, depending on the type, lasts between 45 minutes and one hour. Each class block will be priced according to the number of classes.
Cardio Mix
Get ready to sweat, move and feel amazing! This upbeat class blends heart-pumping cardio with strength-building exercises using a stepper and dumbbells. You’ll boost endurance, burn calories, and tone your entire body – all in one fun, energizing workout!
Strength
Boost your endurance and build total-body strength in this high-energy class that combines heart pumping cardio with powerful strength moves. Using a small stepper, mini-barbells, and dumbbells, you’ll sculpt muscle, burn calories and leave feeling strong and energized!
Gentle Fit
This class is designed specifically for the mature adult or those who are new to exercise. This low-impact class focuses on improving strength, balance and in a safe and supportive environment. Using light weights – mini barbells and dumbbells, you’ll build muscle, boost energy and enhance everyday movement – all at a comfortable pace that meets you where you are. As with all Group Fitness classes, we encourage all participants to challenge themselves by being mindful of the individual’s unique fitness level and health profile.
FUNctional Fitness
Build real-world strength and endurance that supports your everyday life! You’ll do this by practicing essential movements that you encounter everyday: squatting, pulling, pushing, bending, climbing, and walking. More than just movement patterns though, this engaging, informative and supportive class puts the “FUN” in FUNctional fitness! All experience and ability levels welcome.
Cycle Fit
It’s the most fun you’ll have on two wheels without leaving the gym! This class will take you on a physical, emotional and musical journey designed to improve your cardiovascular endurance and mental fortitude, through varied interval training. Get ready to climb, sprint, hover and push through exciting challenges with friends! Be sure to bring water and a towel. It might get sweaty! All experience and ability levels welcome.
Power Zone
Step into the ultimate full-body workout! This high-intensity class combines heart-pounding cardio and total-body strength with a mix of intervals, EMOMs, AMRAPs and more! Every session is designed to push your limits, build power and boost endurance – leaving you stronger, faster and fitter than ever.
IMPROVE your Mobility
Are you often injured? Is movement restricted in certain parts of your body? With mobility training, you’ll practice exercises designed to help you move better, with less restrictions! This class combines elements of balance, strength, endurance, coordination and flexibility, to IMPROVE your Mobility! All experience and ability levels welcome.
Explore the Outdoors
Ready to move, laugh and enjoy the sunshine? This class is designed to get you moving in fun, creative ways while enjoying the beauty of our outdoor surroundings! We’ll use traditional fitness equipment alongside existing natural resources, to create our own outdoor playground! Be sure to bring your water, sunscreen and enthusiasm. All experience and ability levels welcome.
Please bring a yoga mat, a towel or blanket, water, and dress in comfortable clothes. Participants are usually barefoot in the movement portion of class.
Adult Recreation
BGC Niagara offers Pickleball at the Niagara Falls location and the EJ Freeland Community Centre in Fort Erie from September to June – note there is no pickleball in July or August.