Youth Sports in Columbia

Register now for fall recreational soccer with South Carolina United FC! Make new friends, learn new skills, and have lots of fun! Open to all children ages 3 to 16. Season starts in September. Visit SCUFC.com to learn more. Click here to register today!

Special Offer for Kidding Around Families!  Use the promo code KIDDINGAROUND to get your first two swim lessons free when you enroll in lessons!

Goldfish Swim School is now in Lexington! Goldfish Swim School is South Carolina’s premier learn-to-swim program offering indoor, year-round swim instruction to children ages 4 months to 12 years-old in a safe, fun and family-friendly setting with highly trained instructors, small class sizes and shiver-free 90-degree pools. Goldfish offers perpetual lessons and families can enroll at any time. Goldfish Swim School highlights include flexible class times, free make-up lessons and a proven, confidence-building curriculum.

Top Questions Parents Ask About Goldfish Swim School

When can we start? Anytime, Goldfish offers perpetual enrollment so you don’t have to wait for a new session to begin. A free swim assessment is available to place your child in the right class.
What programs are available? Mini (4–35 months), Junior (3–4 years), Glider (4–12 years), Pro (4–12 years), and Swim Force (5–12 years) for those ready for swim team. Family Swim and Jump Start Clinics also available.
What should my child bring? Just a swimsuit and a towel. Reusable swim diapers are required for children who are not yet potty-trained.

For more information, please visit the Goldfish Swim School Lexington website.

Richland County Recreation Commission offers a full-day Summer Mania camp at multiple locations for ages 5-16 that is designed to meet the physical, creative and social needs of kids. A variety of activities are offered including recreational activities, games, arts and crafts, and conservation activities. Camp is offered Mondays – Fridays.

Dates: June – August 
Ages: 5 – 16 
Price: $70 – $125
Full and Half day available

Classes: Recreational youth sports available include track, basketball, tennis, flag football, soccer, and more. Youth programs begin at age 3.

Classes: Carolina Playmakers works with aspiring baseball players to improve their skills and player development. Private lessons are 60-90 minutes in length. Lessons focus on hitting, pitching, speed, and more.

ReCreation Athletics is a youth sports training & recreation club serving kids and teens of all ages with camps, after-school programs, and multi-sport development. Contact them to learn specific age offerings and enrollment details.

Congaree Rapid FC’s Junior Academy develops U8–U12 players with fun, technical training and game play, bridging recreation and competitive play focused on skill growth.

They offer both recreational and competitive soccer programs and have multiple facilities around Columbia.

YMCA of Columbia offers youth sports, after school programs, summer camps, and more. Youth sports include basketball, soccer, volleyball, football, and tennis.

There are sports, games, crafts, swimming and lots more fun to be found at summer camps at the YMCA of Columbia.

• Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, 900 Lake Carolina Drive, Columbia (Includes camps for preschoolers, traditional camp, teen camps and specialty camps)
• Northwest Family YMCA, 1501 Kennerly Road, Irmo, SC (Offers traditional camps)
• Downtown YMCA, 1447 Hampton Street, Columbia (Offers traditional camps)

After School: Offered at three branches and the Y-Club, including transporation from school.

• Jeep Rogers Family YMCA — Afterschool (ages 4–12)
• Northwest Family YMCA — Afterschool (grades 4K–5th) + Tech Club (grades 6–8)
• Downtown YMCA — Y-Club at Sports & Skate Station USA (Lexington One partnership)
• Y-Club at Select Richland One Schools (run through the YMCA, not at a branch facility) — at AC Moore, Brennen, Carver Lyon, Caughman Road, Logan, Rosewood, and South Kilbourne schools.

Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission offer a variety of programs across 4 Columbia Parks: Crooked Creek, Melvin, Mungo, Saluda Shoals and Seven Oaks Parks.  Sports rotate seasonally but include soccer, basketball, martial arts, Racquet sports, and dance just to name a few.

Classes: Offers a multitude of youth sports programs, including Dixie Youth Baseball, Youth Football, Youth Softball, Youth Soccer, Youth Basketball, Lacrosse, Track and Field, BMX, Cross Country, Wrestling, Girls Youth Volleyball, Summer Basketball, Cross Country, Little Tikes Sports Programs, Family Junior Golf Program

They also offer after-school programs, summer camps, and recreational leagues across many athletic activities. Contact them to learn age groups and registration details.

Classes: A Basketball specific training facility that offers training groups for youth ages 6 and older that are based on skill level to improve basketball skills through confidence building, fitness training, strength and conditioning, speed and agility, sport-specific training, and massage therapy.

Classes are offered in 1-hour increments,

Carolina Rogue offers soccer starting ages 3+, with fun foundational play through local rec (ages ~7–14) and a nationally competitive travel club. Older teams (U12–U14+) hold tryouts for placement and advancement.

Classes: Offers private volleyball lessons to ages 13 – 18 years old.

Check out their website for more information and programs that they offer.

Classes: Offers multiple leagues, including youth soccer, youth baseball, youth flag football, and adult soccer.

Youth soccer is offered in early fall and early spring
Youth baseball also has t-ball, coaches pitch, and kids pitch divisions
Youth flag football is offered for K5 – 8th grade.

The City of Columbia Parks & Recreation offers an after school program for children ages 5-12. The program offers recreational activities, academic enrichment, and more. Find a list of their locations on their website.

The City also offers classes inyouth sports.

USYF Affiliated futsal training program

Classes: Multi-season soccer program that offers mini (ages 2 – 3 years old), classic (3 – 5), and premier (school aged) soccer programs.

Classes: Youth soccer programs based on skill and age. Programs are available for ages 2 through 6th grade.

Elite Soccer Training is offered at: