Waukee Parks and Recreation organizes a variety of youth programs. View the registration site for more information. Programs can fill up quickly, so do not delay signing up!

Sports & Fitness

Youth Soccer Clinic

This three-class clinic teaches the fundamentals of soccer including basic rules, dribbling, passing and throw-ins. Shin guards and cleats can be worn but are not necessary. Parents/guardians are encouraged to stay and watch. This is a great precursor to the Introduction to Soccer program. View dates, costs and register here.

Introduction to Soccer

Introduction to Soccer, sponsored by Clover & Hive, is designed to teach kids the basics of soccer while having fun. Game play will be 4 vs. 4 with four quarters of eight minutes continuous clock with no goalie. Teams will consist of seven or eight players with plenty of playing time for each player. View dates, costs and register here.

Pickleball Clinic - Family/Beginner

This clinic, run by the Des Moines Metro Pickleball Club, is an exciting way to learn about the quickly growing sport of Pickleball. Participants 14 and older with any skill level are welcome to attend. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the sport and how to play. All equipment will be provided at the clinic. It is free to attend. View dates and register here. 

Pickleball Classes

The Parks & Recreation Department is partnering with Life Time Tennis to offer pickleball classes. Learn from trained professionals as they provide experienced advice. Classes will focus on teaching introductory lessons and skills for kids ages 7-18. View dates and register here. 

Mini Sluggers T-Ball

Mini Sluggers T-Ball, sponsored by Summit Homes, will run for six weeks with separate leagues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Mini Sluggers gives kids the opportunity to participate in a summer t-ball league while teaching them basic fundamentals through practice and games. Foam bats and balls must be used in this league and will be provided for each team. Teams will be formed at random. View dates, costs and register here. Volunteer coaches are needed! Email Jacob Perkins if interested.

Parent and Child Blastball

Is your child too young for Mini Sluggers? This is an early chance for him or her to learn about baseball and softball with the comfort of you as their partner. Each participant will complete drills with a parent/guardian. View dates, costs and register here.

Fall Girls Recreational Softball League

Girls in 1st through 7th grades for the 2023-2024 school year are eligible to play in the Fall league. The league will be a shortened eight-game season. Games will be played on Monday and Thursday nights. Practices will begin at the end of August with games beginning in September. Teams will be formed at random. View dates, costs and register here. Volunteer coaches are needed! Email Jacob Perkins if interested.

Fall Softball Camp

Fall Softball Camp offers a unique perspective about softball with high-quality coaching from Northwest High’s head varsity softball coach Carrie Eby and Northwest High School softball players! Participants must bring their own glove, helmet and bat. Practices will cover throwing progressions, infield/outfield drills, hitting drills, base-running and confidence development. View dates, costs and register here.

Future Aces Golf Camp

The Future Aces Camp is designed to set up each child with an athletic foundation that will help accelerate their enjoyment of golf. We will provide a fun environment with game based learning of the fundamentals of golf. If golfers don't have their own clubs, various clubs will be available to borrow during camp, but we cannot guarantee the right size/club face for each individual. View dates, costs and register here.

Youth Golf Clinic & Camp

The Youth Golf Clinics and Camps are for golfers of all skill levels. Participants will be divided up into small groups based on age and experience level. We will learn the fundamentals of golf in a fun and challenging environment along with games and contests. View dates, costs and register here.

Little Ninjas and Karate

Kids will learn the basic fundamentals of taekwondo and karate. Classes focus on the proper use of martial arts, self-respect, self-discipline, and coordination of mind and body. The instructor Dickey Renshi has more than 30 years of martial arts teaching experience. He is an elementary teacher and three-time inductee into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. View dates, costs and register here.

Kids Yoga with Earth Om Yoga

Move! Breathe! Stretch! Grow! Students will practice breathing, stretching and moving their bodies in mindful and playful ways as they learn basic yoga poses from a certified kids yoga instructor and former elementary school teacher. This class is fun for students who are new to yoga and those with experience. Students should bring a yoga mat or beach towel and a water bottle. View dates, costs and register here.

Life Time Tennis: Tennis Classes

The Parks & Recreation Department is partnering with Life Time Tennis to offer tennis classes. Both morning and evening times, as well as youth and adult classes will be offered. Life Time Tennis has a number of trained professionals to run the classes and provide experienced advice. Classes will range from beginner lessons to more advanced tennis strategies for kids ages 3-18 years old. View dates, costs and register here.

Camps

All-Star Sports Camp

This half-day camp is perfect for any sports enthusiast. Each day, participants will be engaged in activities including soccer, flag football, disc golf, kickball, capture the flag, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, lacrosse, yoga and other classic physical education activities. Sessions are available for kids ages 5-10. View dates, costs and register here.

Art in the Park 

It’s time to get artistic! Artists will create a variety of age-appropriate masterpieces to take home daily. Participants will also focus on a group public art piece to be installed at a City building. We may get messy, so artists should wear appropriate clothing. Sessions are open to kids ages 5-10. View dates, costs and register here.

Youth in the Parks

This week-long service learning camp gives students in 5th through 10th grade a chance to learn about community betterment by volunteering at various locations in Waukee and surrounding areas. The camp consists of morning volunteer activities, while the afternoons are filled with fun field trips. Campers will need to bring a sack lunch each day for this all-day camp, and they will be notified prior to the start of camp of daily activities so they can dress appropriately. Participants will be transported by Parks & Recreation staff. View dates, costs and register here.

Super Snackers

Waukee’s next top chef might be in your own house — let us help you find out! Chefs will learn new, fun and healthy summer snack ideas they can make any time of the year. At the end of each class, each chef will be able to sample their creations and may be able to teach you a thing or two! Please notify the Parks & Recreation Department of any known food allergies when registering for this class. Sessions are open to kids ages 7-13. View dates, costs and register here.

Splish Splash Camp

Cool off this summer and travel to two Des Moines Metro Area aquatic centers. Make sure to pack sunscreen, a towel, goggles and snack money. Participants will be transported by Parks & Recreation staff during the camp. This camp is for kids ages 8-13 years old. View dates, costs and register here.

Explore the Outdoors and More

Get away from the electronics and back into nature! This camp will include nature play in different parks and creek beds, activities that help children relate with natural elements and a field trip to the Kuehn Conservation Center. Enjoy an exciting week of nature, fun and learning. Campers will be notified prior to the start of camp of daily activities so they can dress appropriately. Participants will be transported by Parks & Recreation staff during the camp. Children 5-6 years old will be required to bring a booster seat. View dates, costs and register here.

Summer Fun Camp

Join us for an action-packed week of summer fun. Participants in this camp will enjoy four days of field trips with destinations including an aquatic center, indoor and outdoor activity centers, and much more! The other day will be spent playing games and activities. Campers will be notified prior to the start of camp of Monday’s activity and will get to collectively vote on the remaining camp schedule. Participants will be transported by Parks & Recreation staff during camp. View dates, costs and register here.

Summer Celebration Day Camp

It’s the end of summer but there is still so much to celebrate! This all-day camp will provide exciting activities for kids including field trips to various entertainment venues, outdoor play, arts and crafts and more. Please pack a sack lunch and a water bottle; afternoon snacks will be provided. Campers will be notified prior to the start of camp of daily activities so they can dress appropriately. Camp will be held for kids 5-12 years old. Participants will be transported by Parks & Recreation staff during the camp. Children 5-6 years old will be required to bring a booster seat. View dates, costs and register here.

Tween Yoga Camp for Girls with Earth Om Yoga

The tween years can be stressful years for girls as they navigate changes in their lives. Tween Yoga Camp will help 10-12 year-old girls develop confidence through movement. They will practice breathing techniques that can be lifelong tools to help with relaxation and stress relief. Yoga games and crafts are also included. Students need to provide a yoga mat or beach towel and a water bottle. View dates, costs and register here.

Safety City

Each summer, the Waukee Police Department hosts Safety City - a week-long course for STUDENTS ENTERING KINDERGARTEN. Learn about safety from police officers and volunteer youth mentors. A miniature city is used to teach students about street safety, seat belts, when to call 911, respect for authority, bullying and more. Safety City incorporates classroom time, hands-on practice and a field trip to the Public Safety Building. A short graduation ceremony is held at the end of the week as well. Students get a bicycle helmet and a t-shirt. For questions regarding Safety City, please call 515-978-7979. View dates, costs and register here.

Camp Brainiac

Camp Brainiac is a weeklong day camp for kids ages 6-12 that is run exclusively by Iowa licensed teachers. Brainiac campers will be immersed in fun STEM-based experiential learning. Over the years, campers have gone on adventures ranging from the wizarding world to exploring the magic powers found in plants to putting on detective hats to solve mysteries. Enjoy a week of eye-opening exploration and fun. View dates, costs and register here.

Brenton Arboretum: Outdoor Summer Camps

Boasting over 140 acres of rolling hills, streams, prairies, ponds and wetlands, Brenton Arboretum offers a scenic and educational escape, including more than 2,200 different trees and shrubs. Numerous trails, ponds, streams, trees and prairies make the arboretum one of the best outdoor classrooms in Central Iowa. It’s the perfect place to engage all senses while learning about the natural world. Several sessions will help kids explor different aspects of nature. Campers will need to bring water bottle, sunscreen and bug spray. Campers are also required to wear closed toed shoes that can get dirty. An adult must accompany the camper each day. One adult (18 and older) per family. View dates, costs and register here.

Youth Activities

Storywalk

Take an adventure with a story this spring and summer! The Waukee Public Library and the Parks & Recreation Department have joined together to promote literature and exercise. Enjoy a different book each month displayed along the Heart of the Warrior Trail between 6th Street and the intersection of Ashworth Drive and Warrior Lane.

Tumbling Tots 1 & 2

These 30-minute programs are designed for little gymnasts to learn and increase basic tumbling motions in a group environment. It emphasizes balance and coordination through tumbling moves, exercises and songs. Children must be the required age prior to the start of the session. A parent or guardian must accompany 2- and 3-year-olds. Sessions are available for kids ages 2-5 years old. View dates, costs and register here.

Red Cross Babysitting Training

Attend the American Red Cross Babysitting Certification class to gain experience by practicing life-saving babysitting skills on manikins and partners. This is a great class for those getting ready to start babysitting on their own or for those who will be in charge of younger siblings for short periods of time. Participants must be 11 years old or older and will need to bring a sack lunch. Each participant will receive a Babysitter’s Training Handbook and a starter kit. Sessions are available for kids ages 11 and older. View dates, costs and register here.

Sunflower Fine Art

Sunflower Fine Art studio is owned by professional artist Tingting S. Beck. Her art has been honored at various professional art competitions, and she has taught art classes for nearly a decade. Youth will learn the basic concepts of drawing three-dimensional objects on two-dimensional paper, and then they will move on to drawing still life objects. Classes are available for kids ages 6-17 years old. View dates, costs and register here.

Studio Bea Dance: 2 to Move

Studio Bea Dance’s 30-minute introductory class is designed for parents and their little dancer to bond and have fun. Dancers will gain confidence and improve social and gross motor skills, all while using their imagination to learn and explore dance and movement. Children ages 18 months through 3 years old are invited to participate in this program. View dates, costs and register here.

Bike With Cops

The Waukee Police Department’s annual “Bike With Cops” event invites Waukee Community School District students in grades 2nd-6th to enjoy a safety talk, two-mile bike ride and lunch with Waukee police officers! This bike ride is for experienced riders only; no training wheels, please. Helmets are required. View dates, costs and register here.

Home Alone Awareness

Thinking of letting your child stay home alone this summer? Make sure they are equipped with ways to stay safe! This class is taught by members of the Waukee Police and Fire Departments. They will provide educational tools and safety tips as they make kids aware of potential dangers in and around your home. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Class are for kids in grades K-5th. View dates, costs and register here.

ISU Extension & Outreach: STEM Adventure

Explore key STEM concepts all day long like engineering, coding, physics, science, and so much more! We will experience hands-on activities and see how the world works around us! Discover your STEM interests and practice literacy during this fun filled day. View dates, costs and register here.

Special Needs Activities

Can Play

Can Play Sports is an organization aiming to increase the positive impacts on youth through the growth and evolution of adaptive and no-cost sports programs. Every child CAN PLAY. Can Play Sports provides play opportunities for children with physical, cognitive, social, mental, financial or other barriers. Programs include superhero training, fitness, group games, music/movement and seasonal sports. Participants will also work on social skills development and have lots of fun. For more info email info@canplaysports.org.

Miracle League: Spring Season

Join the Parks & Recreation Department for our Miracle League baseball season. Miracle League is a nationwide organization that creates opportunities for youth with special needs to play baseball for free. The league will be held on Saturday mornings at Waukee’s Triumph Park on the Greater Iowa Credit Union Field. Each game consists of two innings and community volunteers serve as “buddies” to assist the players throughout the game. It is free to participate. View dates and register here. Community volunteers are needed! To volunteer, complete this form. Find more information about the Greater Iowa Credit Union Miracle League Field at Triumph Park here.