Recreation centers are great places to find activities for children to do after school. These community centers often provide a large variety of after-school clubs, sports and volunteer opportunities free of charge or at a low price.
After-school activities at rec centers give kids a safe place to go after school if their parents are still at work or need to run errands, as well as programs that help them pursue their passions in arts, sports, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and more.
Old Firehouse Center @ McLean Community Center – McLean, VA
Open 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-midnight Friday, 9 a.m.-midnight Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday
McLean Community Center is home to the Old Firehouse Center (OFC), a dedicated recreational facility for tweens and teens in Fairfax County. The center has an after-school program that picks kids up from local schools and transports them to the center, where they can take part in themed clubs and receive assistance with their homework. The program even offers pet therapy — therapy animals and their handlers visit the OFC every third Friday of the month.
Outside of its after-school program, the OFC is a great “third space” for tweens and teens in general. It has arcade games and a dance floor, regularly hosts activities for the local community and even holds field trips. mcleancenter.org
Shaw Community Center – Washington, D.C.
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Shaw Community Center houses the only D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) Out of School Time Program (OSTP) in the Shaw neighborhood. Because of the area’s rich Black history, its programming has a focus on aiding at-risk and minority youths through activities and events that reflect their lived experiences and the neighborhood’s diverse culture. Its after-school offerings use a STEAM (STEM with arts) approach, but with a focus on the humanities and helping children develop a strong cultural identity. shawcommunity.org
George M. Ferris, Jr. Clubhouse 6 – D.C.
Open 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
George M. Ferris Jr. Clubhouse 6’s after-school program, Project BE GREAT, is a free program for members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. Members in grades one through 12 can head to the clubhouse after school to participate in a large variety of Boys & Girls Clubs activities and special events held by the clubhouse’s community partners. The club also holds full-day camps during the summer, winter and spring break and when schools are closed for teacher conferences. bgcgw.org/clubs/george-ferris-jr-clubhouse-6
FBR Club @ THEARC – D.C.
Open for programming 3:30-7:30 p.m. weekdays for ages 12 and younger, 3:30-9:30 p.m. weekdays for teens and 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. during the summer, except Saturday and Sunday
The FBR Club aims to help at-risk youth by giving them a safe place to go after school, reducing the chances of them getting into trouble or ending up in a bad situation. In addition to serving as a place to do homework and work on school assignments, the club also offers a variety of different activities for kids aged 6 to 18. Some of the programs available include the Keystone community service club, the Money Matters financial education program and the Diplomas 2 Degrees college preparatory program.
The club also offers a summer camp program with built-in educational components, aiming to reduce learning loss during the summer and keep kids engaged even outside of school. It also includes plenty of sports and arts related offerings, as well as a weekly field trip. bgcgw.org/clubs/fbr-club-thearc
Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, D.C. – D.C.
Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
You don’t have to be Jewish to attend programs at the Edlavitch JCC. The community center offers a traditional after-school program every day, where kids can take part in organized activities and free play. Additionally, there are specialized classes available every day of the week, focusing on subjects like creative writing, American Sign Language, robotics and mad science. There are also several sports offerings for more active kids, such as karate, ballet and gymnastics. Swim lessons are offered every day.
The EDJCC also hosts day-long camps on days when there is no school, so parents who have to work on those days have a safe, fun place where their children can spend the day until they are able to be picked up later. edcjcc.org/programs/after-school
