ParkTalk Podcast: In-House Routines - Naperville Park District Gymnastics

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Episode Description:

The Naperville Park District offers a wide-array of gymnastics programs for the community, but the Winter In-House Gymnastics Teams offer a unique opportunity for gymnasts to experience the sport in a competition setting. Current Gymnastics Coordinator Kara Gagan and former Gymnastics Coordinator Karen Schmidt join the ParkTalk Podcast to talk about the in-house competition program and the sport of gymnastics.

Quotes from the Episode:

What was the driving force to add the in-house team program?

We had parents reach out and ask if we were ever going to start a competitive team. When you go on to a competitive team, you’re looking at 12 hours a week. That’s a huge commitment. The kids that come into our recreational program are here because they love the sport and want to be involved, but they don’t want to put that amount of time into it. We decided it would be nice to give them the opportunity to be competitive. – Karen Schmidt

How do coaches focus on an individual’s progress while emphasizing sportsmanship?

The way I like to explain the in-house program to parents is this is kind of an introduction to a friendly competition. They are competing, they learn how to compete, they get a ribbon in each event. The girls do a really good job when they are sitting on the side cheering for their teammate when they are competing. They’re all for each other and they’re all in the same boat. – Kara Gagan

How does the in-house gymnastics team benefit athletes?

Gymnastics in general teaches a lot of discipline, perseverance, strength and balance, body awareness – I feel like all of that you can use in every other sport. – Kara Gagan

They get a total confidence boost. They come out for that first competition and you don’t know how it’s going to go. By the third competition, the amount of self-confidence and self-esteem they have acquired is amazing and they carry that forward. – Karen Schmidt