Programs

From 3:00-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, we host an open gym at the Urban Youth Academy for anyone to utilize the indoor field, cages, and weight room.

The Youth Elite Training Program is an opportunity for the Intermediate to Advanced players ages 9-18 to continue developing their overall skills for baseball. Players will gain instruction in hitting, fielding, throwing, and baserunning.

Fastpitch Softball Programming offers comprehensive opportunities to grow and develop in many facets of softball, such as hitting, defense, pitching, and catching. All our programs are built for Beginner to Advanced levels and allow athletes to learn at their own pace. These programs are offered to athletes ages 7-18.

The Urban Youth Academy hosts the Royals RBI divisions of T-ball, Machine, and Player pitch to increase and promote greater inclusion and participation of youth with diverse backgrounds while encouraging academic achievement.

Strength and conditioning programs are offered at various times throughout the year. The programs include introductory levels focused on teaching age-appropriate exercises as well as more advanced programs focused on improving speed, power, and overall strength.

The Urban Youth Academy is committed to connecting baseball, softball, and education through meaningful school partnerships. Crown Schools programming strengthens student engagement, provides teachers with resources, and introduces families to UYA opportunities. This school visits plan outlines our strategy to deliver high-impact programming inside schools, align with literacy and physical education goals, and build stronger connections between students, families, and the Academy.

Our educational workshops connect sport to real-world lessons that prepare students for success beyond the classroom. Developed in partnership with schools such as MCC and community organizations, these workshops focus on financial literacy, STEM, college preparedness and more. Each session is interactive and designed to help students build life skills, discover new interests, and strengthen their educational journey.

Camp Invention is an exciting, hands-on summer experience where creativity, curiosity, and innovation come to life! Designed for children in kindergarten through 6th grade, the camp encourages kids to explore STEM concepts through engaging challenges, teamwork, and imaginative problem-solving. Campers design, build, and test their own inventions while developing critical thinking, confidence, and collaboration skills. Led by trained educators, Camp Invention inspires a lifelong love of learning by showing kids that their ideas can change the world—one invention at a time.

The Urban Youth Academy partners with Youth Lead KC to host two annual events designed to prepare high school students for college, careers, and beyond: the College & Trade Expo and the Career & Business Expo. The College & Trade Expo connects sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Missouri and Kansas with colleges, trade schools, and career organizations, giving students the tools and guidance to explore post-secondary opportunities and plan their next steps. The Career & Business Expo introduces students to local businesses, professionals, and industries, highlighting career pathways, entrepreneurship, and workforce skills, while helping them build meaningful connections to support their future success.

The Urban Youth Academy in partnership with Youth Lead KC, welcomes high school students from Kansas City Public Schools and Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. The visit features a full tour of the UYA, team-building activities, and an introduction to baseball and softball through skill-based drills and whiffle ball games. Students enjoy fun, active experiences while building leadership, collaboration, and the fundamentals of the game.

The Turn the Page KC Festival of Reading is a free, community-centered literacy celebration hosted biannually at the Urban Youth Academy in partnership with Turn the Page KC. Held each fall and spring, the festival brings families together for a day of learning and fun, featuring free books for children, live story readings by local authors, music, games, and hands-on activities. The event connects families with literacy resources and support that encourage reading at home, all with the goal of helping more children develop a love for reading and reach grade-level literacy by third grade.

TeamSmile is an annual event hosted by the Urban Youth Academy that provides free dental treatment, preventive care, and oral health education to children in the Independence School District. In partnership with TeamSmile and local dental professionals, kids receive essential services including screenings, cleanings, and treatments in a fun, supportive environment—helping create positive dental experiences and instill lifelong healthy habits.

Parents Learn, Kids Play is a monthly program hosted at the Urban Youth Academy in partnership with Children’s Mercy, designed to support families through education and resources. While children enjoy programming, parents participate in interactive sessions focused on health, child development, and family well-being. Each session provides practical tools, guidance, and community resources to empower parents and strengthen their families in a welcoming, supportive environment.