Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board - Recreation Plus

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Recreation Centers

Working parents searching for an affordable quality school-age childcare program need look no further! The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board offers Recreation Plus+ for children in grades kindergarten through 6th grade at neighborhood recreation centers.

Rec Plus+ focuses on three goals:
1. Provides parents with affordable recreation based school-age care in local park centers.
2. Enables children to experience positive benefits of a balanced recreation program.
3. Provides a safe environment for children that promotes healthy physical and social development.

Children can join the program any time during the school year, based on space.

Program Components
Rec Plus+ operates before and after school, school release days and during the summer, depending on the site.  Activities include games and sports, arts and crafts, homework help, field trips and nutritious snacks. Snack costs are included. Children must bring a bag lunch to daylong programs and kindergarten programs that run over lunchtime. Rec Plus+ programs are:

• Before School: 6:30- 9:30 a.m. Emphasis is on informal self-directed play. (Bottineau only - 6:30-10 a.m.)
• Kindergarten: Available at Matthews and runs from the end of morning school kindergarten until the end of the school day. Teacher-initiated programs and structured self-directed activities are emphasized.
• After School Early Release: 1:30-6 p.m. with opportunities for children to participate in two park classes per day.
• After School: 2-6 p.m. with opportunities for children to participate in two park classes per day.
• School Release Days: Available at Lynnhurst, Hiawatha, Matthews, Pershing and Waite; 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Enrollment is optional on a first-come first-serve basis. Day long recreation programs with occasional field trips are planned.
• Summer: 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Includes swim lessons, at least one field trip per week, and options to participate in two park classes per day. Information on the summer program coming in early 2009.

Fees are based on choice of program. Partial scholarships can be requested by qualified Minneapolis residents upon availability.

Parents should contact their desired Rec Plus+ site for space availability and complete registration information. Non-Minneapolis Residents pay a 50 percent higher leadership fee than Minneapolis residents.

For more information or site locations please call at 612-230-6400 or e-mail recplus@minneapolisparks.org.