Youth Aerial Arts in Norfolk, VA
Big adventures start with a little courage (and a lot of time in the air)!
From their very first climb to skills they never imagined they could master, our Youth Aerial Arts Program gives students ages 8–16 a place to build strength, confidence, and friendships while learning something a little out of the ordinary.
Whether your child is ready to commit to an 8-week session or wants to give aerial arts a try with a drop-in class, there's a place for them at Railroad Aerial Arts!
Ages 8+ • Beginner Friendly • Small Class Sizes • No Experience Needed
youth program
Forget the same old extracurriculars! Aerial arts gives your child the chance to try something exciting, build confidence, and discover what they're capable of.
Between climbing silks, spinning in hoops, and swinging on trapezes, they're having fun while developing strength, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
Whether your child is a complete beginner or has aerial experience, our instructors help them learn at their own pace and celebrate every accomplishment along the way.
Ready to Give It a Try? Take 25% Off!
We're making that first flight a little easier! Fill out the form to learn more about our Youth Aerial Arts Program and get 25% off your child's first drop-in class. It's the perfect opportunity to see what all the excitement is about before committing to an 8-week session.
not your average after-school activity!
more than learning to Fly
Aerial gives kids a fun way to challenge themselves, try new things, and discover what they're capable of.
build strength
Build strength and body awareness through age-appropriate aerial skills, conditioning, and movement.
improve coordination
Develop balance, flexibility, coordination, and control while learning new ways to move.
grow confidence
Celebrate accomplishments, overcome challenges, and build confidence with every new skill.
find their thing
Explore a creative, challenging activity that gives your child something to look forward to each week.
four ways to find their wings!
Silks, sling, hoop, or trapeze? Each apparatus brings its own challenges, exciting skills, and opportunities for a little upside-down fun! Whether your child is climbing, spinning, swinging, or trying something completely new, there's plenty to explore and maybe even a new favorite to discover.
Swing, spin, and strike poses in a fabric hammock.
Balance, spin, and discover new shapes on a suspended hoop.
Climb, wrap, and explore new heights on flowing fabric.
Swing, hang, and master exciting tricks on a suspended bar.
There's More Than One Way to Fly
Whether your child is ready to dive into a full session or just wants to give aerial a try, there's a place for them to start!
8-week youth sessions
Our 8-week sessions give students consistent time to build skills, gain confidence, and progress alongside the same group of aerialists.
Students ages 12–16 can choose from beginner and intermediate sessions focused on silks, sling, hoop, or trapeze. Our younger aerialists, ages 8–11, have their own dedicated session where they'll explore all four apparatuses over eight weeks.
youth drop-in classes
Not quite ready for an 8-week commitment? Our youth drop-in classes are open to ages 8–16 and offer a fun, flexible way to experience aerial arts!
These beginner-friendly classes give students a chance to get in the air, learn new skills, and discover what aerial is all about, with no previous experience required.
your next adventure starts here!
| Day | Class | Ages |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Beginner Silks | 12–16 |
| Tuesday | Intermediate Silks | 12–16 |
| Wednesday | Beginner Sling | 12–16 |
| Thursday | Intermediate Sling | 12–16 |
| Friday | Beginner Hoop & Trapeze | 12–16 |
| TBD | Aerial Explorers | 8–11 |
Our 8-week sessions give students the chance to build skills, make friends, and see just how far they can fly! With consistent instruction, hands-on practice, and new challenges along the way, students can grow their confidence week after week.
Our Young Aerialists (ages 12–16) can choose from beginner and intermediate sessions focused on silks, sling, hoop, and trapeze, building on their skills as they work toward new goals. Meanwhile, our Mini Aerialists (ages 8–11) get a little bit of everything, exploring all four apparatuses over eight weeks while discovering new favorites and developing a strong foundation for their aerial journey.
Ready to get your child in the air? Check out our upcoming 8-week sessions and take advantage of early registration pricing to save $22! Each session has limited spots, so be sure to register before your preferred session fills up.
pick your session, save your spot!
young aerialists | Ages 12–16
mini aerialists | Ages 8–11
not ready for an 8-week commitment?
Not sure if an 8-week session is the right fit? Our youth drop-in classes give your child the chance to try aerial arts without committing to a full session. Whether they're brand new to aerial or just looking for a little extra time in the air, drop-ins are a great way to get started, explore a new apparatus, or keep practicing their skills.
And if it's their first youth drop-in class, they can get 25% off by filling out the form above!
upcoming drop in classes
Depending on their class or session, students can explore:
Silks • Sling • Hoop • Trapeze
Classes combine warm-ups, conditioning, skill-building, time on the apparatus, and cool-downs. Students are encouraged to learn at their own pace while building the strength, technique, and confidence to keep progressing.
It's about learning cool aerial skills, but it's also about discovering what they can do when they keep trying.
Climb.
Spin.
Create.
Grow.
meet our youth program coordinator
arika brown
Arika has been a professional performer and aerial instructor for 12 years. When she isn’t in the air, Arika is an avid hand balancer, flow artist, stilt walker, and balloon twister.
Most days you’ll find her spinning & teaching on sling or lyra - though she has a well known habit of collecting apparatuses like shiny trinkets. If it hangs from a rig point or she can hang from it, she’s spinning on it.
Aerial Arts can be a place to run to for a lot of people, Arika being one of those. Aerial Arts has saved her life more times than she can count. You can see that passion and light in her teaching and performances.
questions? we’ve got answers
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Our youth aerial program welcomes students ages 8–16! Mini Aerialists is designed for ages 8–11, while Young Aerialists is for ages 12–16. Each program is tailored to its age group, so your child can learn and grow alongside students at a similar stage.
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Mini Aerialists (ages 8–11) explore silks, sling, hoop, and trapeze throughout their 8-week session, giving them a chance to experience a little bit of everything!
Young Aerialists (ages 12–16) can choose classes focused on a specific apparatus, including beginner and intermediate options. This gives students the opportunity to develop their skills and progress at their own pace.
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No! Our beginner classes and sessions are designed for students who are completely new to aerial.
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Both are great ways to get started! Our drop-in classes are open to ages 8–16 and are perfect if your child wants to give aerial a try before committing. If they're ready to attend regularly, build their skills, and get to know their fellow aerialists, an 8-week session gives them the opportunity to progress week by week.
There's no need to take a drop-in before joining a beginner 8-week session, so choose whichever works best for your child and your schedule!
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Yes! Your child can join an 8-week session during the first two weeks, as long as space is still available. The full session price still applies, even if your child joins after the start date.
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Your child should wear leggings and a shirt that covers they midriff, back, and armpits. They can wear socks, but if they are taking a silk or sling class, we recommend grippy socks.
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Yes! In the past, all parents have been respectful of the space, the instructor, and the other participants so parents are encouraged to watch.
If we see disrespect toward the space, the instructor, and the other participants, then we reserve the right to close classes to parents.
You are encouraged to take pictures and videos of your child as long as other children are not in the background or you have permission from the other child and their parent.
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We completely understand that things happen, unfortunately we don’t have a way to offer make up classes right now.