2021 After School Youth Program
For school-age children ages 5-18
Free Youth Programming
Monday-Thursday 3-7 pm; Friday 3-6 pm;
Registration Options:
Use your phone to check out the QR code to register above
OR CLICK here to Register
In addition, please review the 2021 program options, policies & procedures BEFORE registering. We are excited to actually SEE you in person soon!
Social Distancing Guidelines
Following the social distancing guidelines set forth by the CDC, there will be some changes in the operations of the youth program for the safety of our youth, their families, and our staff. For your safety, upon entering the facility all students:
Must have previously registered for the program including signing a waiver regarding COVID-19.
Must have temperature taken 1st thing upon entering building.
Must practice social distancing (6 ft apart).
Must wear a mask.
** NOTE: Masks may be removed during any physical recreation but please continue to practice social distancing.
FREE After School Fun!
Kids’ Café
Nutritious balanced meal cooked on site (in partnership with Community Harvest Food Bank),
Homework Help/Enrichment
STEAM
Science, technology, engineering, art and math practiced in a variety of fun projects and activities.
CYC Fit/Nutrition
A variety of staff led interactive youth appropriate fitness challenges and games.
Character Building
Youth go through a variety of topics dealing with trust, respect, responsibility, self-image, behavior and many more including doing community service projects to show/grow care and citizenship.
Art
Show Time
Youth participate in self-expression activities, via dance, instruments, writing, singing etc.
Game & Recreation Time
Youth will learn rules to various games and have the opportunity to show what they have learned as well as teach games they know.
Virtual Programs
We also offer virtual programming for all youth/ families. A link is sent out weekly to those who have registered.
Upcoming Special Events
Fort Wayne Derby Girls
At Jennings Recreation Center we offer plenty of opportunities for activities of all sorts!
Enjoy our newly remodeled Fitness Studio. We have added fresh paint and duraflex flooring that is resilient and provides a safe environment for multi-functional, plyometric and group exercise activities.
A big congratulations to the Jennings Center Fitness & Wellness crew! The ladies participated in the 9th annual Saint Francis Formula for Life Walk/Run. It was the first time many of the ladies participated in a run/walk and they all finished! If you'd like to learn how to get involved with JC Fitness and Wellness, contact Chantell Davis at 427-5966.
JC Fitness Studio
JC Fitness Studio is located inside the Jennings Recreation Center at 1330 McCulloch St.
Class: Total Body Fusion
Classes are FREE and all fitness levels are welcome. Call Chantell Davis at 427-5966 for more information and to reserve your spot.
Social distancing guidelines followed.
Hope Books
Katie Dorsey has a passion for reading and giving back to the community. Katie will be at select special events throughout the year at Jennings, Cooper, and Weisser Youth Centers distributing FREE books. Thank you Katie for sharing your love of reading to others. To find out more about Katie and her organization Hope Books read below.
Katie Dorsey started Hope Books in March 2015. It started as a challenge to create a take a book, leave a book box. After seeing how many children came into Community Harvest Food Bank she decided that was where she wanted to place her box. The program evolved from there to include Boys and Girls Club, The Urban League and several Community Centers in downtown Fort Wayne, along with various other locations. Nearly all of the new and gently used books are donated. Since March 2015 she has given away over 7000 books to kids in our community who may not have the opportunity to own a book otherwise. Katie says, "My favorite part of this program is seeing the children's face light up when I hand them a book and tell them it is theirs to keep. It reminds me why I do this. Through Hope Books kids will grow a passion for books and learning that will help them succeed in the future. " You can find out more about what Katie is doing through Hope Books by visiting HopeBooksFW.blogspot.com or find her on Facebook at HopeBooksFW.
Team Read
Team Read is a group from ACPL that comes to Jennings one time a week for an hour (as well as visits other centers and some playgrounds). Team Read employees read to and with the children as well as listen to them read and play games with them.
Gardening
Basic gardening skills are being taught to the youth by Lynda Heavrin, Manager of Landscape & Horticulture. The students have an outside area where they have planted various plants to take care of and watch grow. The students will be able to harvest these herbs, fruit and vegetables and make dishes at the center as well as possibly take them home and use them for their own families. If you would like to see a list of the plants the youth are growing, check out the following: Jennings Center Plants
WBNA Game
Thank you to the Indiana Fever, Jr. NBA and NRPA for making a trip possible for 47 youth to attend a recent WBNA game (Indianapolis Fever vs. LA Sparks). The youth and adult chaperones had a wonderful time-even though it was a very late night!!
