QUINCY, ILL. -- It's safe to say 11-year-old Nathan Wilson loves sports.
"I play tackle football, I used to play baseball here and I do karate and I like to swim a lot here, too," Wilson said.
He has participated in the Quincy YMCA 's youth programs since he was 7.
"I like it because it helps me with my confidence and fitness," Wilson said.
"We want them to come in and learn how to do something and be able to either stay in the program because they enjoy it or take something from the program they can then use outside of that class," Quincy YMCA wellness director, Johanna Voss said.
The Y has more than a dozen youth programs ranging from karate to weight training.
"The younger you start them, you start to get them into that habit," Voss said. "Where it's a habit to get up and be active, to go to the YMCA to run around the gym, get involved in a youth sports program or take a youth class."
Those youth classes and programs also encourages kids to get out there socially.
"My favorite part is getting to meet new people because on my basketball team, I only knew one person," YMCA youth member A.J. Miller said.
"I got to meet a lot of new friends and it's a lot of fun here," YMCA swim team member, Madeline Miller said.
That's definitely a crucial part of the YMCA's youth program.
"Fitness is fun, it's not hard if you do something that you enjoy," Voss said.
Wilson is hearing that message loud and clear.
"I think this is a good thing for all the kids and definitely for me," Wilson said.
You can get a glimpse at the YMCA youth programs, here.
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