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Off for Summer · Returns Monday, Aug 17

Kids Academy Real coaching. Real reps. Real fun.

Weekly after-school pickleball for kids 5–17. Real coaching, age-based pods, and the structure of a real sport program. School year, August through May.

Need pickleball this summer? See Kids Summer Camp →

Why ERA

A real sport program for your kid.

Not a free-for-all. Not a daycare. A coached, structured progression.

01

Certified pros

PPR/IPTPA certified coaches with experience teaching kids — not someone's older sibling.

02

Age-grouped classes

Three age brackets so 8-year-olds aren't drilling against high schoolers. Real progression at the right pace.

03

Indoor & safe

Climate-controlled, well-lit, supervised facility. No weather cancellations, no parking-lot wandering.

04

Real sportsmanship

We coach the game and the conduct. Calling lines honestly, shaking hands after a match, losing well.

Three Groups, Four Days

After-school pickleball, age-grouped.

Younger kids on Tuesday & Thursday. Older kids on Monday & Wednesday. All classes 4:30–6 PM.

Ages 5–9
Tue & Thu

Lil Dinkers

4:30–6 PM

First contact with the sport. Hand-eye coordination, paddle control, rules from zero, and a lot of fun games disguised as drills.

What They Learn
  • ·Paddle grip & ready position
  • ·Underhand serve, forehand groundstroke
  • ·Cooperative rallies, then mini matches
  • ·Court awareness & movement games
Enroll Lil Dinkers →
Most Enrolled
Ages 10–14
Mon & Wed

Junior Squad

4:30–6 PM

Real technique work for middle-school-age players. By the end of the season your kid will be holding their own against adults at open play.

What They Learn
  • ·Forehand & backhand groundstrokes
  • ·Serve variation, return depth
  • ·Dinking & the soft game intro
  • ·Doubles positioning & teamwork
Enroll Junior Squad →
Ages 15+
Mon & Wed

Varsity Squad

4:30–6 PM

Tournament-track and high-school-age players. Strategy, conditioning, mental game — prep for junior circuits and HS clubs.

What They Learn
  • ·Third-shot drops, drives, resets
  • ·Strategy: stacking, switching, signals
  • ·Match-pressure & mental toughness
  • ·Tournament prep when in season
Enroll Varsity Squad →

Junior & Varsity Squads run side-by-side on Mon & Wed in skill-based pods, so each kid is challenged at the right level. Standard enrollment is 2 classes per week.

A Typical Class

90 minutes. Structured. Active.

Every class follows the same structure so kids know what to expect. Predictability builds confidence; confidence builds skill.

  • ·4:30–6 PM — school pickup straight to ERA
  • ·1:8 coach-to-kid ratio — everyone gets reps and feedback
  • ·Same coach all season — real relationships, real progress tracking
  • ·End-of-season showcase — mini tournament for parents to watch
Sample 90 Minutes

A typical class

0:00
Warm-up & check-in

Dynamic stretches, paddle taps, brief huddle on what we're working on today.

0:10
Skill of the day

Coach demos one technique. Kids try, get individual corrections, repeat.

0:30
Drill rotation

Three stations: feed drill, partner drill, target drill. Rotate every 5 minutes.

0:55
Live play in pods

Skill-based pods do match play with the day's skill emphasized. Coach calls reps in real time.

1:25
Cool-down & recap

One-line summary, what to practice, a high five, a fist bump.

Season & Schedule

August through May.

Kids Academy runs through the school year. Summer is its own thing — see Kids Summer Camp.

Monday

4:30–6 PM

Junior Squad · 10–14
Varsity Squad · 15+

Tuesday

4:30–6 PM

Lil Dinkers · 5–9

Wednesday

4:30–6 PM

Junior Squad · 10–14
Varsity Squad · 15+

Thursday

4:30–6 PM

Lil Dinkers · 5–9

Same time slot every weekday — school pickup → ERA. Pick one day per week, or attend both of your group's days for double the reps.

Tuition

Pay by month or lock in the year.

2 classes per week, ~8 sessions per month. Members save on every option. Full-year enrollment saves ~15% vs paying month-to-month.

Group Monthly
Member / Non
Full Year
9 mo · lock-in
Lil Dinkers
Ages 5–9 · Tue & Thu
$95
$115 non-member
$749
$899 non-member
Junior Squad
Ages 10–14 · Mon & Wed
$125
$145 non-member
$949
$1,099 non-member
Varsity Squad
Ages 15+ · Mon & Wed
$125
$145 non-member
$949
$1,099 non-member
How You Save

Three ways to lower the price.

~15%
Full-Year Lock-In

Pay upfront for the school year, save up to $206

$20+
Member Pricing

$20-30/mo off with a family ERA membership

15%
Sibling Discount

15% off second child, 20% off third+

All paddles & balls included. Cancel anytime on monthly plans, no fees. Need-based scholarships available — we never want cost to be the reason a kid doesn't play. Reach out in confidence.

Parent FAQ

What parents ask first.

What if my kid has never played pickleball before? +
Perfect — that's exactly who all three groups are built for. Our coaches teach the rules, the swing, and the game from zero. Skill-based pods within each class mean a beginner isn't thrown in with kids who've been playing for years. By the third class your kid will be playing real points.
Do I need to stay during class? +
For Lil Dinkers (ages 5–9), we ask that a parent/guardian stay on-site — we have a comfortable lounge with seating. For Junior Squad (10–14) and Varsity Squad (15+), drop-off is fine. Either way, the facility is supervised at all times.
What does my kid need to bring? +
Athletic shoes (non-marking court shoes preferred), a water bottle, and athletic clothes they can move in. We provide paddles and balls. If your kid wants their own paddle eventually, we sell them at the desk and can recommend a kid-friendly option.
What if my kid misses a class? +
Life happens. Each enrollment includes 2 make-up classes per season — your kid can join a different age group's class to make up (with coach approval) or attend an extra weekend session when offered.
How are coaches vetted? +
All ERA Academy coaches are PPR or IPTPA certified, background-checked, and trained on youth-specific instruction. We don't outsource — coaches are core ERA staff who know your kid by name.
What about summer? +
Kids Academy doesn't run during summer break. Instead, we run Kids Summer Camp — week-long full-day camps, June through August. Different format, same coaches.
Can my kid try one class before committing? +
Yes. The first class is a $25 trial — if you enroll for the month or season afterward, we credit it back. Just contact us to set it up.

Give them a sport that travels.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America. Your kid can play it for the next 60 years.