Marion County has a whole lot of opportunities for youngsters, from toddlers to teens, to stay busy and active after school and beyond. From sports and dance to music and more, this is just a handful of extracurricular offerings to check out.
Written and compiled by Karin Fabry-Cushenbery
Gymnastics / Dance
Balcony Sports
Balcony offers both recreational and preschool gymnastics for youngsters beginning at age 18 months. Tumble Buddies is designed for kids 18 months to 4 years who are accompanied by a guardian. Tumblebees is for ages 3 to 4 without a guardian. Kinderbees begins to teach the newest gymnastics proper technique and skills, and beginner gymnastics is open to boys and girls and is geared toward developing flexibility, strength, agility and more. Beginner tumbling covers the basics of tumbling and is ideal for dancers, cheerleaders and more. Finally, girl’s beginner gymnastics is a level-based system that allows the gymnast to master various skills and rise through the levels of the sport. Balcony Sports also offers dance and karate classes for children. For details and registration information, visit balconysports.com.
The Dance Company
The Dance Company offers a complete selection of dance classes for those just beginning to seasoned dancers. For the youngest set, the Creative Movement class is for 2 and 3 year olds, Tutu Tots Ballet is the perfect starting point for your young ballerina and the Tutu Tots Combo Class is open to kids 4 through 6 years old. Also available are ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, pointe, acrobatics and modern. The Company is home to The Dance Collective, an elite competition team. For class descriptions and registration information, visit dancycompanyocala.com.
Premier Dance of Ocala
Formerly known as Mary Ellen School of Dance, Premier Dance of Ocala offers a complete selection of dance genres. If your 1 to 2 year old is ready to dance, the Future Stars Mommy & Me class is where to start. TinyTot will introduce ballet and tap to 3 to 6 year olds, and the Combo Classes allow students to select two styles of dance to focus on (ballet, tap, jazz or lyrical). If your youngster just can’t decide, the open class changes genres each week, introducing the students to different styles of choreography and technique. Premier Dance also offers classes in contemporary, classical ballet/pointe, tap, jazz, jazz/funk and hip hop styles of dance. PDO also offers a competition team for kids between the ages of 3 and 18. The group performs at local events and travels to regional and national competitions throughout the state. For details on classes and more, visit premierdanceofocala.com.
Sports
I9 Sports
I9 Sports is the nation’s largest multi-sport youth sports provider. The organization offers a variety of sports, including flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball and more. Nationwide, there are more than 4 million kids involved in i9 Sports. For details on local offerings, visit i9sports.com.
Start Smart T-ball League
This league offered by the City of Ocala is for kids ages 5 and 6 and takes place at Jervey Gantt Park from 6-7pm September 4 through October 18. The cost is $65 per child, and the program introduces your youngster to the ins and outs of T-ball. Visit ocalafl.gov/recpark for more information.
Ocala Rotary Sportsplex
Run by Marion County Parks and Recreation, the Rotary Sportsplex offers T-ball and baseball for kids between the ages of 4 and 15. The facility has eight youth baseball fields and three high-school regulation fields. T-ball is for ages 4 and 5, Rookies includes ages 6 through 8, Minors are 9 and 10 year olds, and Majors are 11 and 12. The Babe Ruth League is for teens ages 13 through 15. Fall sign ups and evaluations (T-ball doesn’t have evals) take place in August, and the season runs through November. To register or for more information, visit ocalarotarysportsplex.sportngin.com.
Robinson Baseball Academy Indoor Training Facility
Former professional baseball player Bennie Robinson offers one-on-one hitting lessons for both baseball and softball players in RBA’s indoor training facility near Forest High School, as well as pitching lessons with both current and former professional baseball players. Find Robinson Baseball Academy on Facebook for more information. RBA also offers various travel baseball teams, ranging from 11u to a 16u showcase team in the fall. For more information, contact RBA at (352) 421-5953.
The Hitting Academy
Located on Baseline Road, The Hitting Academy offers baseball hitting and pitching lessons, plus indoor batting cages that offer automatic pitching machines for baseball and fastpitch softball, as well as L screens for soft toss. The bullpen allows players to practice pitching at distances of 46 to 60 feet. Private lessons include Right View Pro video analysis and the Hittrax baseball/softball simulator to create an interactive learning experience. Visit the hittingacademyocala.com.
Shocker Park
Shocker Park is a non-profit, volunteer-based girls youth fast pitch softball facility and league. Team ages include 6-8U, 10U, 12U and 14-16U. Ages 8 and under use a pitching machine. For registration information, visit shockeparkocala.com.
Ocala Little League
Established in 2021, Ocala Little League is a youth baseball organization geared toward kids between the ages of 4 and 15. Registration is currently open for the fall season, which runs from August 16 to November 18. Divisions include T-Ball (4 through 6), Rookie Machine Pitch (6 through 8), Minors (8 through 10), Majors (10 through 12) and Juniors (12 through 15). Travel within the district is required when the season is active. For registration and more information, visit ocalalittleleague.org.
Wrigley Baseball and Softball Association
Located in Citra in northern Marion County, Wrigley Field houses multiple fields for both baseball and softball. Baseball divisions include T-ball, Rookie, Minors, Majors and Babe Ruth, and softball teams start at 6u and work their way up. Registration for the fall season is open, and details and more information can be found by visiting their Facebook page or wrigleybaseball.com.
Belleview Youth Baseball
Fall registration is open through mid-August for Belleview Youth Baseball. Divisions include T-ball, Rookies, Minors, Majors and Babe Ruth. Up-to-date information can be found on the group’s Facebook page.
Big Sun Youth Soccer League & Ocala Premier Soccer
The BSYSL offers soccer opportunities for kids ages 3 and up, plus both recreational and competitive play. Recreational play programs include U4 to U18, and the SunLights Program is a recreation program geared toward youth 18 and under who are mentally, emotionally or physically challenged. Follow along on social media for details, or visit bigsunsoccer.com.
Youth Tennis
The Ocala Tennis Association offers a variety of opportunities for kids and teens to engage in tennis at all levels. For more information, visit ocalatennisassociation.com.
Science/STEAM
IHMC Science Saturdays
The first Saturday of each month during the school year is all about science, STEM and fun. This free, hands-on program for kids in grades three to six is led each month by an IHMC scientist or researcher, and past topics have included things like bridges, computer game design, 3-D printing, lemon batteries, coding and more. Pre-registration is required and opens two weeks before each scheduled meet. For details and to register, visit ihmc.us/life/science_Saturdays/.
Homeschool STEAM Team
Homeschool kids between the ages of 5 and 17 will develop leadership and teamwork skills as they learn through STEAM lessons that enhance their knowledge base and promote physical fitness. This group meets Wednesdays from 10am to 2pm and costs $20 per month per person. Visit ocalafl.gov/recpark for more details.
Martial Arts
Florida Martial Arts and Fitness Center After School Program
The Center offers pickup at most local schools and provides a character-building environment that includes both educational opportunities and karate instruction. For details, visit martialarts4ocala.com.
Extreme Taekowndo Center After School Program
Students enrolled in the after-school pickup program enjoy daily Taekwondo classes and are provided homework help and a healthy snack. Pickup is available from Oakcrest, Madison Street, Ward Highlands, Fessenden and Ocala Springs Elementary schools, plus Fort King and Howard Middle. For more information, visit https://extremetkdcenter.wixsite.com/extremetkd/programs.
The Martial Arts Center of Ocala
The Center specializes in martial arts for kids ages 3 on up through teens. The Center has two Ocala locations, one on Maricamp Road and one on SW 27th Avenue. Details can be found at themacocala.com.
Ocala Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy
The Academy’s after-school program offers pickup services from Saddlewood, Hammet-Bowen and Ina A. Colen Academy elementary schools and Liberty Middle School. Their “success through hard work” attitude is carried throughout homework help and Jiu Jitsu lessons, plus plenty of fun times. Uniforms are included. Follow along on Facebook for updates, or visit bjjocala.com.
Ocala Karate Dojo After School Program
Pickup is offered from select local schools, and the program includes homework help, fitness, karate and self-defense classes, movies and fun. For details, visit fun4ocalakids.com.
Ong’s Taekwondo After School Program
Learn self-defense and Taekwondo at Ong’s Taekwondo’s after-school program. Ong’s picks up from select local schools as well. Homework help, snack and fun are also included. To enroll or get details, visit ongstaekwondo.com.
Music Lessons
School of Music – First Baptist Church Ocala
The fall music session begins August 14 and continues through December 16. The church has been providing local music lessons since 1997, and areas of study include cello, bass, percussion, saxophone, violin, piccolo, piano and voice. Thirty-, 45- and 60-minute lessons are available. Details can be found at fbcocala.org/school-of-music.
Community Music Conservatory – Reilly Arts Center
Join other music lovers for both individual and group music lessons in affiliation with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. According to the Conservatory’s website, “Our course offerings aim to provide more than the traditionally taught instrumental and musical techniques. We aim to create opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds to experience music education in an inclusive environment, build a musical community, and encourage participation in the arts!”
Group lessons include violin and viola classes for those in grades two through eight. Registration begins August 22. Students can also sign up for Steel Pan & Percussion Ensemble. Kids ages 5 through 8 can also sign up for Suzuki Cello Pre-twinkle Class, which begins September 6. Beginning Band is available for kids in grades four to eight, and the fall session begins on August 14. Private lessons are also available at a cost of $100 per month for four monthly sessions. Lessons are available in piano, cello, viola/violin, French horn, guitar/bass, clarinet/saxophone, drum/percussion and flute, and soon, classes will be available in low brass, trombone, baritone, euphonium and tuba. The center offers a variety of instrument rentals as well.
The Community Music Conservatory also offers Kindermusik classes for the youngest music lovers, including a Mommy & Me class for ages 1 and 2 and Young Musician Level 1 lessons for ages 4.5 through 7. Mommy & Me classes are $96 for four weeks of classes, and the Young Musician lessons are $372 for 15 classes. Register online for any of the Conservatory’s classes at reillyartscenter.com/community-conservatory.
Parramore Music
Parramore Music is a family-owned and -operated music store that first opened its doors in Ocala in 1975. Today, the store offers a large selection of pianos, guitars and amps, plus all the accessories you need. The center also offers lessons and connects students with teachers who specialize in piano, guitar, violin, trumpet, drum, flute, voice, trombone and saxophone. Visit parramoremusic.com for details.
Guitar Center
Guitar Center offers expert instruction in piano, drums, guitar, bass, vocals, DJing and more, and lessons are open to all ages and skill levels. Find out more at guitarcenter.com.
The Music Factory, LLC
Whether you’re brand-new to an instrument or want to perfect the skills you’ve already learned, the instructors at The Music Factory, LLC offer on-on-one music lessons tailored to each student’s individual needs. Elementary, middle and high school music lovers are invited to partake in classes in banjo, drums, piano, guitar, mandolin and voice. For more details, visit the Factory’s Facebook page.
A Better Music Lesson
A Better Music Lesson offers complete guitar, piano and voice lessons. With more than 25 years of music education experience, A Better Music Lesson offers classes from beginner to advanced level beginning at age 7. Musical instruments, both acoustic and electric, are on-site, so no need to bring your own. More information can be found at abettermusiclesson.com.
Capitano Music Studio
Capitano Music Studio and GayLyn Capitano specialize in piano instruction. With worldwide accolades and advanced degrees in music and piano performance, GayLyn is dedicated to inspiring a life-long love of music in her students. Classes are offered for students ages 4 and up, and Capitano Music Studio also prepares advanced students for college auditions and entrance tests. For details, visit capitanomusicstudio.com.
Community School of the Arts at College of Central Florida
College-level faculty provide both private and group lessons for kids in grades kindergarten through 12th at the college. Lessons are held in the Dassance Fine Arts Center. The cost is $25 per 30-minute lesson. To find out about available instruments and class availability, visit cf.edu and search for the Community School of the Arts.
Art
Chelsea Art Center
The newly opened Chelsea Art Center in Chelsea Plaza offers a variety of classes and art programs with local art professionals for both youth and adults. For updated class offerings, visit chelseaartcenter.com.
Performing Arts
Ocala Civic Theatre
If your youngster is a drama queen or king, the Ocala Civic Theatre may be the perfect place for them! The staff offers after-school training in both production and performance aspects of theater to kids between the ages of 5 and 18, including classes in acting, singing and dancing. Both group lessons and private coaching are available, and virtual classes may also be available. For registration information, visit ocalacivictheatre.com.
Photo by John Jernigan
Mentorship Programs
Ocala-Marion Mentorship Program & Ocala Public Safety Mentoring Program
Two mentorship programs in Marion County are making a difference in the lives of local teens and young adults. The Ocala-Marion Mentorship Program and the Ocala Public Safety Mentoring Program with Ocala Police Department provide young people with insight and training into careers in fire rescue and police work.
“The program is a tremendous opportunity to experience hands on law enforcement activities in a fun learning environment with minimal commitment. Law enforcement officers are the primary instructors in the program,” says Major Steve Cuppy. “Our hope is to inspire young people to pursue a career in public safety. The program provides all the opportunities to see law enforcement up close and ask any questions about the profession. We recognize not everyone may want to pursue law enforcement as a career, but the program provides a positive, safe learning experience that will expose young people to law enforcement officers and the tasks associated with law enforcement.”
More information on the Ocala-Marion Mentorship Program, which allows students to work with Ocala Fire Rescue and Marion County Fire Rescue, can be found at ocalafire.org/mentor. Details on the Ocala Public Safety Mentorship Program can be found by contacting Major Cuppy at [email protected] or (352) 427-3298.
After-School Programs
E.D. Croskey FUNtastic After School Program
Open to ages 5 through 12, this program at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center offers everything from outdoor sports and homework help to arts and crafts and hands-on experiments. The program runs from 2:30-6pm and costs $100 per month. Visit ocalafl.gov/recpark for more information.