Welcome Back: Carousel Gymnastics Kicks Off the 2025–2026 Season
The school year has begun, and that means fresh routines, new schedules, and plenty of excitement inside the gym at Carousel Gymnastics. As summer winds down, our staff has been busy cleaning, organizing, and preparing lesson plans to welcome both returning and brand-new students when classes begin on September 8.
We’re thrilled to start another year of helping kids build skills, gain confidence, and discover just how much they can achieve.
This Year’s Theme: The Lion King
Every year at Carousel, we choose a theme that inspires our students and keeps learning fun. For 2025–2026, we’re diving into the world of The Lion King.
Why The Lion King? Because it’s a story about courage. One of our favorite lessons from the film is that bravery doesn’t mean the absence of fear—it means facing challenges in spite of it. As Rafiki says, “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.”
Throughout the year, our coaches will help students push past fears, tackle new skills, and celebrate the moments when they realize just how brave they can be.
Sunny Day Childcare Partnership
For families with children enrolled in Sunny Day Childcare in Waupaca, we have a convenient option to make gymnastics even easier. Carousel staff can walk your child over for classes during the day.
Here’s what families need to know:
- Please communicate with both Carousel and Sunny Day if your child needs to be walked over.
- Let staff know if you plan to pick up your child after class. If you’re running late, we’ll return your child to Sunny Day for safety.
- Be sure Sunny Day staff has a change of clothes ready for your child’s gymnastics or Ninja Zone class.
This partnership gives kids the chance to stay active and learn new skills before heading home for the evening.
Preparing Your Child for Class
To set your child up for success, a little preparation goes a long way.
- Dress Code: Students should wear comfortable workout clothes such as shorts, pants, t-shirts, or leotards. Sports bras alone are not appropriate for class. Jewelry, watches, and Fitbits should be left at home. Ninja Zone students at our Waupaca location will need the official Ninja uniform, available at theninjazone.store
- Hydration: Children in classes lasting 60 minutes or more should bring a water bottle.
- Arrival Time: Plan to arrive 10 minutes before class. Younger children especially benefit from this extra time to adjust, meet classmates, and start class without stress. Arriving late can make it harder for kids to participate fully.
We ask families to be mindful of lobby space. The Plover location in particular has limited seating, so only one parent should stay to watch when possible. Please remember: while the Plover facility is on a farm, the barn and animals are off-limits. Families are welcome to use the designated play area behind the gym.
Toddler Time Is Back
If you’ve got little ones, Toddler Time is the perfect way to burn off energy and explore the gym in a fun, safe environment.
- Waupaca Location: Every Thursday morning beginning September 11, with two sessions available—9:30–10:15 am and 11:15 am–12:00 pm. Cost is $5 per child, ages walking to 5 years. No pre-registration needed.
- Plover Location: Toddler Time will resume in October.
It’s a relaxed, playful way for children to climb, jump, and tumble while parents get to watch their progress.
Looking Ahead
We’re excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to see what our students accomplish. Whether it’s a child’s very first forward roll, a Ninja Zone breakthrough, or a returning gymnast taking on new challenges, every success in the gym builds both skill and confidence.
As we kick off this season, we’ll keep coming back to our theme: bravery. Because at Carousel Gymnastics, learning new skills is about more than gymnastics—it’s about giving kids the tools to face challenges in the gym, in school, and in life.
Want to learn more about class options, schedules, or how to get your child started?
Contact Carousel Gymnastics today, we’d love to welcome your family into the gym this fall.