First Throws & New Discs: AYDG, and the Summer Students, Bring Youth Disc Golf to Signal Hill

On Saturday, August 1st, a local park transformed into an outdoor training ground for the next generation of disc golfers. Hosted by the Signal Hill Community Association (SHCA), the Youth Disc Golf in the Park event brought neighborhood kids together for an active morning of skill-building, fresh air, and fun.

Equipped with brand-new discs to take home, participants ranging from ages 5 to 12 learned the fundamentals of disc golf—from grip and stance to control and distance. Guided by our dedicated summer students and instructor, the youth had a great time learning all about disc golf. 

Direct from the Course: Summer Student Reflections

The heart of the event came down to the mentorship between our summer students and the young participants. Here is what our students had to say about their experience on the course:

Eva's Takeaway:

"Teaching kids ranging from 5 to 12 meant adapting my approach on the fly for different skill levels. When we discovered our disc golf basket was missing its center pole, we pivoted the lesson plan so the kids could still practice targeting without missing a beat. Working through those small hitches—and staying patient with high-energy beginners—really built my confidence as an instructor. Seeing the kids light up as they mastered their throws made every adjustment worth it."

Samantha’s Takeaway: 

"Since this was my first time teaching kids, I was pretty nervous about how to keep them engaged. But as soon as the first group arrived, their eagerness to learn took over. Even with our improvised basket setup, the session became genuinely fun. By the second round, we had a larger group, the energy was fantastic, and all the initial anxiety vanished. Seeing their excitement reminded me of playing sports as a kid—it truly felt like passing the torch."

Community Support in Motion

Events like this highlight the impact of community-focused outdoor recreation. Beyond learning a new sport, local youth gained confidence, made new neighborhood friends, and left with the equipment and knowledge needed to keep playing all summer long in Calgary's park spaces.

A huge thank you to PDGA Canada for supporting our summer student program. You can also see more on the Signal Hill Community Association Blog.