When Buket Campbell’s kids were younger, they flourished in the inviting and energetic atmosphere they experienced at The Little Gym. Buket remembers loving the environment that gave her kids a positive experience as well as a head-start in motor-skills and socialization beginning at an exceptionally young age. A few years ago, she and her husband, Shane, wanted to bring that same experience to local families. So they partnered with Krystal Gunn and opened The Little Gym Roanoke, recreating the same environment where their children thrived.
“I was always asking how I could make a difference in the community and in the lives of children, wanting to help change their lives in a positive way. After some research, we knew that opening The Little Gym would be a wonderful thing,” shares Buket. “We wanted kids to have a place where they feel comfortable to be themselves because when kids feel safe and accepted, they learn.”
The Little Gym offers a variety of classes and activities for kids up through 12 years of age. Through the activities, kids have structured play and instructional time in a nurturing environment where they have the freedom to make mistakes and have fun as they work to master skills. Getting kids moving is also a great way to help them learn to channel energy into positive physical activity that will establish a lifetime pattern of wellness and being physically active.
“Kids are always busy little humans, and they are always doing something because they are ready to learn,” says Buket. “At The Little Gym, we break learning down to three different dimensions: physical, emotional, and social. Most of our classes are based on exploration, because with exploring, you have to move around, and you burn some of their endless energy. It's wonderful for their developing muscles and helps them build confidence.”
Babies as young as 4 months old benefit from the wide-open spaces and many activities that not only build strength and flexibility but also provide kids and their parents with the opportunity to interact with people experiencing the same stage of life.
As children grow, the activities and skills mastered become more complex. Gymnastics classes cater to kids from 4 months old to 12 years old and focus on the fundamentals of gymnastics for all skill levels. Children are grouped by age with parent/child classes available for younger children. Learning gymnastics fundamentals not only helps children build their core strength, but it also improves balance, enhances coordination skills, and engages the brain in a way that helps kids concentrate on tasks.
During summer and holiday breaks, The Little Gym hosts half-day themed camps that provide a great place for kids to go and have fun while not in school. Camps offer a perfect opportunity for kids to expend energy in a supervised environment while parents balance their normal work schedules.
The Little Gym also offers Birthday Party packages guaranteed to keep kids engaged while they celebrate each birthday milestone. Special Parent Survival Nights give parents a local, safe place for their kids to go so that they can enjoy a date night or simply time to run errands.
“We try to do Parent Survival Nights on Friday nights, and it’s the perfect amount of time, especially for younger kids,” explains Buket. “During those three hours, we have snacks, do crafts, and then have gym time.”
In addition to providing fun, physically challenging activities for kids, The Little Gym plays an important role in the local community by serving as a hub for relationship building. The indoor, climate-controlled space provides a consistent place for kids to try new things and make new friends. Because kids are organized in groups, even those who are shy tend to feel comfortable interacting with coaches and other kids. Parents who spend time together in the viewing room benefit from the time together as well and over the years, many new friendships have developed among families.
A big part of the atmosphere at The Little Gym can be attributed to the knowledgeable and friendly team who work with the kids each day. In addition to coaching the kids in physical skills development, the team strives to create a place where the kids can have a great experience. “When the students get to us, they might be having a bad day or maybe something happened at school,” shares Buket. “Even if they only have one hour with us, we want them to leave feeling loved and with fun memories of their time with us.”
The Little Gym Roanoke is located at 600 E. Byron Nelson Blvd in Roanoke. For more information on class schedules and upcoming special events, visit www.thelittlegym.com/texas-roanoke or 817-492-1294. Also, follow @TheLittleGymRoanoke on Facebook.