The Salvation Army’s after-school programs are designed to inspire and challenge. For instance, the Cedar Rapids Salvation Army recently opened a new computer lab at its C Avenue headquarters as part of its after-school programs. The lab provides academic support, homework help, and enrichment opportunities to kids who otherwise have no access to computers. And The Salvation Army of North Texas, through its after-school programs, strikes the perfect balance of learning and having fun. In addition to providing homework assistance and tutoring, the staff also encourages kids to engage in art, music, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), martial arts, sports, and culinary arts. 

Healthy minds and healthy bodies are both crucial elements of youth development. Our no-fee and low-cost after-school programs offer children a chance to play sports and learn athletic skills. Our exciting after-school sports programs inspire a love for health and fitness while teaching teamwork and leadership skills that build healthy, positive relationships with peers. Consider the Seattle White Center after-school program. Best described as an action-packed game where fun meets growth, The White Center organizes youth sports leagues for basketball and futsal, a fast-paced soccer game played on the gym floor with a low-bounce ball and smaller goals. The kids have a blast and learn the essentials of teamwork and other skills that will stay with them for a lifetime. 

Our youth community after-school programs provide freedom for children to experience music and art education in supportive no-cost or low-cost environments. We encourage curiosity and exploration through creativity in the arts. The classes and programs vary by location, but we offer everything from choir, band, and dancing to drawing, writing, and acting. For example, in Oregon, when area schools could no longer afford arts programming, The Gresham Corps Youth Center recognized the need and created an after-school music program. From choirs to instrument training, activities, and lessons, students develop an early love for and appreciation of the fine arts that will serve them their whole lives.   

Beyond the activities and academics, our after-school programs foster a sense of community and belonging. Through our after-school pgrams, each Salvation Army community center is dedicated to equipping young parents with the skills needed to support and sustain their children’s educational needs. 

One very special example is the “Fatherhood in Action” program at The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division in Chicago. Fatherhood in Action provides job training and placement assistance to young fathers. The program helps participants build a stronger sense of character and social responsibility and learn life and co-parenting skills that help them become better dads. With the success of the program, The Salvation Army extended it to the Cook County Jail, offering to help fathers build better relationships.

There is a reason summer camps are so popular in America: they offer an amazing array of benefits to children and families alike. The Salvation Army’s network of free summer camps allows kids of all ages, despite their family’s income level, to have a safe, fun, unforgettable summer camp experience and enjoy outdoor recreation, educational activities, and hands-on projects.

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