What should my child wear for gymnastics? 

Children should wear lycra or cotton shorts/leggings and a properly sized T-shirt. All long hair needs to be up in a ponytail. No jewelry and no shoes or socks. Bare feet only in the gym please. There are washrooms with stalls but no dedicated changerooms. We have small lockers, coat hooks, and shelves in the lobby for gymnasts to store their belongings in. Barefeet in the gym please. No outside footwear in the gym. No food or drink in the gym. ABSOLUTELY NO GUM. Trail Gymnastics has a number of brand new and previously loved gym suits for sale in our lobby. Although not a necessity– special gymnastic suits are available. There’s no need to spend a lot of money if your gymnast is just starting out.

 What activities does my child do in class? 

Each program is designed for a particular age group, their physical and mental ability at each age. Throughout a session, children will learn gymnastic skills on the beam, bars, floor, vault, and trampoline particular to the level and age of the child. There are skills that cannot be learned until the gymnast reaches specific ages due to growth. Remember that kids can only learn what they actively want to learn. Parents can have expectations that do not match their gymnasts abilities, and that’s okay, but we will encourage and never force kids to do anything they are not comfortable with. 

 How do I know which program or level to register my child? 

• Parent and Tot: Ages 2-3 and accompanied by an adult helper, parent, grandparent, etc. 

• Preschool: Ages 3-5 for independent preschool aged children. Independence in the bathrooms is also mandatory for this program. Your independent child should be able to take direction and participate in the game and warm up. Runners are hard for the coaches to handle when there are 10-15 kids in the gym.

• COED Recreational: Ages 5-12. These classes are for the beginner and intermediate gymnast where we focus on learning spatial awareness, body control, basic skills, confidence, focus, and strength. 

• Advanced Recreational: Ages 6-8. Female gymnasts only, and they must have completed at least one session of our one hour coed recreational.  Skills, a solid handstand and cartwheel, strength, confidence and focus are required for advanced programming in this age group; email info@trailgymnastics.ca to inquire if your gymnast is ready to advance.

• Advanced Recreational: Ages 9-12. Female gymnasts only, and they must have completed at least one session of our one hour coed recreational.  Skills, a solid handstand and cartwheel, strength, confidence, and focus are required for advanced programming; email info@trailgymnastics.ca to inquire if your gymnast is ready to advance.

• High School Recreational: Ages 12-18. This program is designed for high school aged girls who would like to do gymnastics for fun . No previous experience is necessary and gymnasts are encouraged to learn new skills through progressions and develop athletic abilities while fostering a supportive, team environment.

 How many kids are in a class? 

All classes at Trail Gymnastics fall within the guidelines laid out by Gymnastics Canada. Our younger programs are a ratio of 1:6 and the older groups are 1:8. 

Why do the prices vary per program and session? 

The rates depend on the time length of the class (ie. 45 mins vs. 1 hr) and the # of classes in the session (which is based on the # of weeks in the session). Prices can vary depending on the day of the week due to cancellations for holidays, long weekends, etc. 

If I miss a class, can I get a credit or do a make-up lesson?

If you miss a class, we do not give credits or offer make-up lessons. Your registration fee pays for a class spot for the entire session regardless of attendance.

 What if a class is cancelled for an unforeseen event?

There have been occasions when the gym has been closed due to power outages and other unforeseen events. Generally, however, TGC does NOT close for bad weather, but if you have concerns, please phone us. If the gym is closed it will be posted on our website, Instagram, and Facebook pages. We will also try to notify you via email. If TGC cancels a class your account will be credited for the missed class. 

 What happens if I register my child and they don’t like it? 

We are aware that gymnastics is not for all children. Our coaches will do our best to ensure your child enjoys their class. Should the class not be a good fit, you can choose to withdraw from the program. If, before the first class date, we are notified that your child is withdrawing from their program, a full refund will be given. If, within the first two weeks of classes, your child chooses not to continue a refund will be issued minus the classes attended and the non-refundable Gymnastics BC Membership Fee. No other refunds will be issued unless a prolonged medical condition and/or injury occurs and they are no longer able to participate. Trail Gymnastics will require a doctor’s note from your child’s physician stating that they are unable to participate. The nature of the medical condition/injury must be stated in the doctor’s note. If your child would like to return to gymnastics once they have recovered, we will require a doctor’s note stating that it is safe to do so.

Late/Leaving Early

If you are running late for class, knock on the Gymnastics windows along the sidewalk and someone will come to the door for you. If you need to take your child out of class early, please make sure that you let the coach or office team know, and then knock when you are here to get them.

What is involved in moving into the Competitive Program 

Competitive programs are invitational programs only, meaning that movement of a child into these programs is not automatic at a certain age or level. If you are interested in a competitive program, please email nicola@trailgymnastics.ca.

Parents please do not enter the gym– unless you are in a child participation class with your child, or you need to purchase apparel. Viewing weeks are scheduled in each session and we do not have open viewing for any after school programs. Preschool classes have open viewing due to the nature of toddlers and preschoolers sometimes needing their parents to help them. There is a no filming policy in place at the gym, no phones on the floor in any program, and please restrict photos to ONLY your child. There are kids that cannot have their photos taken for any reason.

Cleaning: 

We vacuum the carpets twice weekly, and disinfect three times weekly using Vital Oxide and a Vital Clean Cobalt Fogger (https://www.vitalclean.ca/). At least twice per year we shampoo the carpets. We do routine cleaning weekly and run two industrial air scrubbers to handle the excess chalk dust. 

Diverse Ability Children: 

If you have a child living with a disability that requires any type of accommodation to participate in our classes, we are happy to work with you to provide customized accommodations that are best suited to their needs. Please reach out to our staff at info@trailgymnastics.ca to discuss how we can best support your child’s needs.

Lost and Found:

All items left behind will be kept in the Lost and Found bin. During viewing weeks, the items will be displayed in the bleachers to give parents a chance to collect their missing items. After that period of time, all items will be donated to the local thrift store. The lost and found lives in the lobby and we encourage kids to check it weekly.

 Emergency Fire Lane:

Emergencies happen when you least expect it. We always need to be prepared to keep our athletes safe. You can help by NEVER parking in the Fire/EMERGENCY Lane (by the picnic tables). It puts our children at risk. When you are dropping off or picking up your children, please remember the safety rules apply and please don’t speed in the parking lot. LET’S ALL DO OUR PART TO KEEP OUR FIRE LANE CLEAR AND FREE AT ALL TIMES. We are on a ONE WAY street. Do not race in the wrong way if you are running late, take the time to go around the block properly. Metered street parking is available in the area but will fill up during community events, such as Silver City Days and Spooktacular, and when The Bailey is running a show in the theatre. Parking is paid Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm and costs $0.50/hour.

What if there is an emergency evacuation at Trail Gymnastics Club

If there is a need to evacuate Trail Gymnastics Club, our coaches and staff will lead the children in classes to the nearest emergency exit. They will go directly to the meeting area in the parking lot across the street. If the weather is poor the children will be led to the Colander restaurant. Depending on the reason for evacuation, classes may resume or the parents will be called to come pick up their child if they are not at the club. Please put your cell number on your Uplifter account so that you can always be reached.

What does my annual membership cover? 

The annual membership fee provides coverage from September 1st to August 31st each season and is non refundable. The following is a breakdown of what it pays for the 2025-2026 Recreational season.

• Gymnastics BC Registration and Insurance Fee $59

• Zone1Gymnastics Fee $6

• Gymnastics Canada Registration Fee $8

• TGS Administrative Fee $37 

 Potential Financial Assistance for Sport:  

Parents can apply directly to these possible funding sources for support: 

● Athletics 4 Kids: LINK 

● JumpStart: LINK 

● KidSport™: LINK

Trail Gymnastics is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We strongly recommend that all children’s clothing is labelled and valuables be kept with their parents or stay at home.

What are your coaches’ qualifications?

All of our coaches have completed the National Coaching Certification Program for Artistic Gymnastics. Most are trained in Emergency First Aid and CPR/AED, and at all times, at least one fully certified first aid attendant is in the gym, coaches over the age of 15 have their Respect in Sport and all coaches have their Safe Sport certificate, Fundamental Movement Skills training, and have been successfully evaluated within the Making Ethical Decisions program.

How are your coaches trained to prevent any inappropriate behavior?

At TGC, we take Safety very seriously and continue to train and develop our coaches and leaders to make everyone aware and conscious about the important role we play shaping the lives of children and youth.

All coaches are required to receive certification in the following:

• Making Ethical Decisions

• Respect in Sport

• Police Record Checks (for all those over 18)

• Safe Sport

All coaches are encouraged to take the following:

• Commit 2 Kids – an online certification by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.

• Respect in the Workplace – all TGC staff receive training on this topic that is applicable with all relationships in the gym.

As part of our initiatives, we utilize the following:

• Code of Conduct

Coaches – The National Coaching Certification Program™ (NCCP) Code of Ethics provides ethical standards that reflect the core values of the coaching profession in Canada, and guides sport coaches to make balanced decisions to achieve personal, participant and team goals. The NCCP Code of Ethics applies to every coach in Canada—from the first-time coach to the head coach of a national team. The NCCP Code of Ethics is used to guide the conduct in sport that stipulates acceptable and non-acceptable behaviors and associated repercussions.

Athletes – The Athlete Code of Conduct provides a framework for behavioral expectations from athletes and a clear understanding of TGC’s underlying principles of respect, effort, and attitude.

When athletes are participating in competitions, training, team activities or traveling to or from any activity sanctioned by Gymnastics BC (GBC), athletes must follow GBC’s standards and expectations.

How do I contact my Program Coordinator or Coach?

Our coaches and coordinators welcome your interest in your child’s program and progress. If you have a problem, please talk to your child’s coach first, at the end of the class is best. If the issue is still unresolved, please talk to the administrator, info@trailgymnastics.ca, who will arrange a meeting. If, after the meeting, you feel the issue still needs attention, please contact our Head Coach, nicola@trailgymnastics.ca or Board of Directors, board@trailgymnastics.ca.

To arrange a meeting with a coach, please phone the office. You can contact your program coordinator via email from the ABOUT/STAFF & BOARD section of our website. Our office can also forward messages via email for you.

If the problem is administrative, please talk to our office staff, who will direct you to the appropriate person.

How do you control/enforce that your coaches/leaders follow all your safety procedures to ensure child and youth safety and prevention of abuse of any kind?

We have an open and honest policy with our TGC staff to ensure we all feel comfortable about talking about any real, perceived, or vulnerable situations with our participants (of any age).

• Floor Supervisors – at all times, the gym has a person in charge of ensuring the safety of participants.

• Employee Training, Feedback, Mentorship and One on One Support – at TGC we are committed to our staff’s growth and development. We provide yearly group training sessions, a personal staff development meeting, a series of either mentorship sessions or one to one support as needed, as well as a procedure for any infractions of behavior.

• Performance Review – each coach has an individual meeting with a coordinator to discuss any issues pertinent to their roles, including any behavior issues, twice per year.