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Temple Guard
Temple Guard Drill Team
Building Leaders. Inspiring Confidence. Strengthening Futures.
Temple Guard is more than a drill team—it’s a youth leadership and mentoring program that helps young people develop confidence, discipline and a strong sense of purpose in a supportive, encouraging environment.
Open to youth in kindergarten through 12th grade throughout York County, Temple Guard combines precision marching, drum line, teamwork and leadership development with meaningful mentorship. Participants are challenged to work hard, support one another and develop skills that help them succeed at home, in school and in their communities.
For more than 20 years, Temple Guard has provided young people with caring adult mentors who encourage them to set high expectations, make positive choices and become leaders who serve others.
Program Highlights
- Open to youth in grades K–12
- No cost to participate
- Caring adult mentors and positive role models
- Leadership and character development
- Precision marching and drum line performances
- Opportunities to perform at community events and travel to new experiences
- A welcoming environment where every participant is encouraged to grow
What Participants Gain
Temple Guard helps young people develop:
- Confidence and self-discipline
- Leadership and teamwork skills
- Respect for themselves and others
- Responsibility and accountability
- Positive decision-making skills
- Strong study habits and educational goals
- Pride in serving their community
What to Expect
Participants meet regularly throughout the year to practice marching, drum line routines and teamwork while building relationships with mentors and peers. In addition to rehearsals, participants have opportunities to perform throughout the community, participate in service projects and experience educational trips that broaden their perspectives and encourage personal growth.
Is Temple Guard Right for My Child?
Temple Guard welcomes young people of all backgrounds and experience levels. Whether your child is looking to build confidence, make new friends, develop leadership skills or simply be part of something meaningful, they’ll find encouragement, structure and support every step of the way.
Questions? Contact Program Director Mike Smith ([email protected]) to learn more about joining Temple Guard.
Lancaster
What is Temple Guard?
Temple Guard Drill Team is an inspirational youth program that has continued to grow over the past 20 years. This mentoring program is based on the discipline and focus that trains youth in grades K-12 in military-style boot camp marching and dance to the accompaniment of drum line.
The programs mission is to serve as a mentor for youth of all ages, genders, races, religions and economic backgrounds. Our purpose is to enrich participants’ lives by teaching respect for one another and elders in and around their neighborhood; to be leaders, not followers; to set a higher standard of living as a role model for others in the community and in school; and to settle for no less than a passing grade in all subjects. This is achieved by:
- Building character through military-style boot camp marching with structured discipline (push-ups, running laps, etc)
- Providing positive male and female role models
- Teaching responsibility classes dealing with problem solving and decision making regarding issues such as: manners, saying “NO” to drugs/alcohol, healthy dating and sexuality, peer pressure, etc.
- Creating a positive scholastic attitude that leads to passing grades
- Enhancing individual leadership skills
- Encouraging community involvement
- Providing trips outside of the city, giving experiences that the youth otherwise might never have the opportunity to experience
The program meets every Monday and Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. at The Mix- 520 North Street Lancaster 17602. The program runs with The Mix’s school year programming and will start back in October and be off on half days and other days based on the School District of Lancaster’s school calendar for 2025-2026.
We will start on October 20th for programming for the 2025-2026 school year!
Program Director: Mike T. Smith
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/12/25 | 7/31/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
08/12/25 - 07/31/26
|
Register Closes 07/31/2026 |
York
What is Temple Guard?
YMCA of the Roses (York Branch) Temple Guard Drill Team is an inspirational youth program that has continued to grow over the past 20 years. This mentoring program is based on the discipline and focus that trains youth in grades K-12 in military-style boot camp marching and dance to the accompaniment of drum line.
The programs mission is to serve as a mentor for youth of all ages, genders, races, religions and economic backgrounds. Our purpose is to enrich participants’ lives by teaching respect for one another and elders in and around their neighborhood; to be leaders, not followers; to set a higher standard of living as a role model for others in the community and in school; and to settle for no less than a passing grade in all subjects. This is achieved by:
- Building character through military-style boot camp marching with structured discipline (push-ups, running laps, etc)
- Providing positive male and female role models
- Teaching responsibility classes dealing with problem solving and decision making regarding issues such as: manners, saying “NO” to drugs/alcohol, healthy dating and sexuality, peer pressure, etc.
- Creating a positive scholastic attitude that leads to passing grades
- Enhancing individual leadership skills
- Encouraging community involvement
- Providing trips outside of the city, giving experiences that the youth otherwise might never have the opportunity to experience
Program Director: Mike Smith
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/25/23 | 7/31/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
09/01/25 - 08/31/26
Tu,Th
|
Register |
