National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics

For families in Eugene, Oregon, seeking an exceptional environment where their youngest members can thrive physically, mentally, and socially, the National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics (NAAG) offers a truly remarkable preschool program. Established in 1973 by Olympic trailblazers Dick Mulvihill and Linda Metheny-Mulvihill, NAAG has a long-standing legacy of not only training world-class gymnasts but also of nurturing healthy, confident, and well-rounded children from their earliest years. While widely renowned for its competitive gymnastics teams, it's the dedicated preschool programs that truly shine for the local community, providing a foundation of movement, coordination, and positive learning behaviors that can last a lifetime. This isn't just about learning cartwheels; it's about fostering body awareness, spatial understanding, strength, flexibility, and balance, all within an engaging and fun atmosphere. NAAG understands that early childhood movement education plays a crucial role in developing neurological pathways, even contributing to reading readiness and improved attention spans. Our philosophy, "Where Fitness is Fun and Confidence Grows," perfectly encapsulates our approach to preparing children for successful experiences, both in and out of the gym, making us a trusted partner for parents across Oregon.

The National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics is deeply committed to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where every child feels like a champion. We believe in building strong foundations, not just in gymnastics skills, but in character and self-esteem, setting our youngest participants on a path to lifelong success and enjoyment of physical activity.

The National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics is conveniently situated at 1205 Oak Patch Rd, Eugene, OR 97402, USA. This location offers excellent accessibility for families residing in Eugene and the surrounding areas of Oregon. The facility is easily reachable by car, with ample parking available on-site, making drop-offs and pick-ups for busy parents as smooth as possible. Its position within Eugene ensures it is well-connected to main thoroughfares, allowing for straightforward navigation from various neighborhoods across the city. Being a dedicated gymnastics facility, the location is purpose-built to safely accommodate active children and all the specialized equipment needed for a comprehensive program. The ease of access to NAAG means that integrating a valuable preschool movement program into your child's weekly schedule is convenient and stress-free. The local setting allows us to be a true community resource, welcoming families from all corners of Eugene to experience the benefits of early childhood gymnastics in a state-of-the-art and secure environment.

The National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics offers a range of specifically designed programs tailored for preschool-aged children, focusing on foundational movement skills, physical development, and social-emotional growth.

• Gyminicricket University (Ages 2-6): This comprehensive program serves preschoolers from walking age up to six years old. It encompasses several sub-classes designed to match different developmental stages and skill levels, ensuring that each child receives appropriate instruction and challenges.

• WIGGLE WORMS: ZERO TO HEROES (Parent/Child Class): Specifically for boys and girls from walking age up to 3 years. This class emphasizes parent-child interaction while introducing key concepts such as taking turns, sharing, listening, and following directions. Through obstacle courses and fun activities, children develop motor skills, social-emotional growth, and begin to explore movement in a structured yet playful setting. This class helps build a foundation for more independent learning.

• GYMBUGS: It's all me! I'm 3!: Designed for three-year-olds who are ready to engage more independently. This program introduces physical activities that engage imagination while developing motor strength, coordination, and the fundamentals of gymnastics. Children in this class learn how to stay with a group, follow directions, and develop a sense of independence.

• GYMINICRICKETS: I'm 4! And Ready for more / Coming alive at 5!: These classes focus on continuous growth in movement fundamentals for four and five-year-olds. They offer more opportunities to develop coordination, strength, spatial awareness, and body control. Children begin to understand multi-step instructions and learn more advanced progressions and skills, including basic gymnastics elements like handstands, cartwheels, rolls, bridges, and pullovers. The goal is to create excitement for trying new things.

• FIREFLYS / MIGHTY MIGHTS (Intermediate & Advanced Preschool Classes): These are invitation-only classes for girls and boys who have demonstrated readiness for more advanced preschool gymnastics training, providing a pathway for continued skill development within the preschool age range.

• Open Gym Times for Preschool Ages: The Academy offers dedicated open gym sessions for preschool-aged children (walking to 5 years old). These sessions provide a less structured environment for children to explore the gym equipment, practice skills, and simply have fun. An adult must accompany children, with a maximum of two children per adult. These are popular for casual play and exploration.

The National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics provides a truly unique and beneficial experience for preschool-aged children, marked by several key features and highlights.

• Positive and Caring Coaching Environment: A consistent theme in parent reviews is the quality of the coaches. Parents frequently commend the staff for being "amazing," "really passionate about what they do," and genuinely "care about the kids in their classes." This nurturing approach fosters a positive learning environment where children feel encouraged and supported, which is crucial for early development.

• Foundational Skill Development: The programs are expertly designed to teach fundamental motor skills, including body awareness, spatial awareness, strength, flexibility, and balance. These are not just gymnastics skills but crucial components for overall physical fitness and coordination that benefit children for a lifetime.

• Focus on Social and Emotional Growth: Beyond physical development, classes emphasize critical social skills such as taking turns, sharing, listening, and following directions within a group. This holistic approach prepares children for successful experiences in school and other social settings, contributing to longer attention spans and improved communication skills.

• Clean and Child-Proofed Facility: Parents praise the "Great facility, clean, child proofed really well!" This commitment to a safe and hygienic environment provides peace of mind for parents, knowing their children are learning and playing in a well-maintained space equipped for young explorers.

• Responsive Management: In instances where concerns arise, such as the open gym safety issue highlighted in a review, the Academy demonstrates a proactive and effective approach to problem-solving. The prompt response and resolution ("they immediately responded and solved the issue. Love that they listen!") indicate a commitment to customer satisfaction and safety, which builds trust with families.

• USA Gymnastics Safety Certified Coaches: All teachers at NAAG are USA Gymnastics Safety Certified, ensuring that instruction is delivered with the highest standards of safety and professionalism. This certification ensures that coaches are trained to safely bring out the best in each child, emphasizing proper technique and injury prevention.

• Variety of Age-Appropriate Programs: The detailed Gyminicricket University structure, with classes like "Wiggle Worms," "Gymbugs," and "Gyminicrickets," demonstrates a thoughtful progression tailored to different developmental stages of preschoolers. This ensures that content is engaging and appropriately challenging for each age group.

For inquiries regarding our preschool programs, class schedules, or to speak with our dedicated team, please use the following contact information:

Address: 1205 Oak Patch Rd, Eugene, OR 97402, USA

Phone: (541) 344-2002

Mobile Phone: +1 541-344-2002

We encourage prospective families to reach out to learn more about how the National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics can contribute to your child's early development and provide a fun, engaging, and safe introduction to movement and fitness. Our staff is ready to answer your questions and help you find the perfect program for your little one.

For families across Oregon, particularly those in and around Eugene, the National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics stands out as an exceptionally suitable choice for preschool-aged children. Its long-standing reputation, combined with overwhelmingly positive feedback about the caring and passionate coaches, creates an environment where young children genuinely flourish. The structured yet fun programs are specifically designed to foster not only physical development—improving coordination, strength, and balance—but also crucial social skills like listening and sharing, which are vital for school readiness. The dedication to safety, evident in both the well-maintained, child-proofed facility and the USA Gymnastics Safety Certified coaches, provides immense peace of mind for parents. Furthermore, the Academy's responsiveness to feedback demonstrates a strong commitment to its community and continuous improvement. For locals seeking a place where their toddlers and preschoolers can build confidence, develop essential motor skills, and cultivate a lifelong love for fitness in a supportive and engaging setting, the National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics is an unparalleled resource right here in Eugene. It’s a place where every child is truly considered a champion, making it an ideal choice for your little one's formative years.

National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics

1205 Oak Patch Rd, Eugene, OR 97402, USA