Warm Springs has a new Thursday night tradition. Warm Springs Recreation has launched a youth flag football program at the Pi-Ume-Sha field, giving kids ages 8 and up a structured, fun, and safe outlet every week as the school year gets underway.

The program was announced during Tuesday's Native Aspirations Community Prevention Meeting, where tribal leaders and community members gather regularly to discuss youth wellness, programming, and prevention initiatives. Flag football was highlighted as a cornerstone activity for the fall season.

Game Schedule and Age Groups

Games run every Thursday at the Pi-Ume-Sha field, with two separate age brackets to keep play competitive and age-appropriate:

  • Ages 8–10: 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
  • Ages 10 and up: 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Each session features two 30-minute halves. The format keeps games moving and gives more players time on the field — a deliberate choice for a community program focused on participation over scorekeeping.

A Potluck to Bring It Home

At the end of the month, the program will wrap up its inaugural run with a community potluck dinner — a nod to the cultural tradition of gathering around food as much as around the game itself. Families, coaches, and community supporters are all encouraged to attend and contribute a dish.

The potluck reflects the broader spirit of the Native Aspirations program, which frames youth activities not just as athletics but as community-building opportunities that reinforce connection, identity, and belonging.

Part of a Wider Prevention Focus

Flag football joins a range of youth programming offered through Warm Springs Recreation and the Native Aspirations Community Prevention initiative, which is designed to give tribal youth positive, structured options after school. Research consistently shows that after-school programs reduce risk behaviors and improve academic outcomes — and tribal communities have long emphasized that culturally grounded activities carry additional protective benefits.

Programs like flag football give kids a reason to show up, a team to belong to, and adults in their corner — and that makes a real difference in this community.

Flag football has grown in popularity nationally at the youth level in recent years, in part because it offers the excitement and teamwork of football without the contact that raises injury concerns for younger players. It's also highly adaptable — easy to run with minimal equipment and flexible enough to accommodate varying skill levels.

How to Get Involved

Youth interested in participating can show up to the Pi-Ume-Sha field on any Thursday afternoon. No pre-registration is required, and the program is free for Warm Springs youth. Families with questions can contact Warm Springs Recreation directly for more information on equipment, rosters, and the end-of-month potluck.

With the 2026 school year now in full swing, Warm Springs Recreation officials say they're hopeful the Thursday program becomes a fixture in the community calendar — and a pipeline for the next generation of athletes and leaders.