Come Out and Play!
130 years, and counting…
Since 1887, Trail Blazers’ programs have served young people, helping them to develop essential skills and values that enable them to step into the world ready to thrive. We are excited to return to the PS 118 community, with a re-imagined program program design, focused on the right mix of play, challenge and exciting contents from community partners.
We believe in the importance of…
Trail Blazers is aligned with PS 118’s values:
Ultimately creating an engaging, and empowering experience for our campers!
Our Approach
Over one hundred thirty years is a long time to perfect the art of youth development. Formal metrics confirm what anecdotal reports have always shown us: building strong social and emotional foundations sets children up for true long-term success.
Every Trail Blazers program is designed with the same five building blocks – research-backed strategies, seamlessly woven into each day’s plan:
This approach – which looks different every day, within every program, and for every group – delivers a uniquely powerful youth development experience.
Trail Blazers @ PS118
For an overview of how our after school programs are structured, please visit the School Programs page.
Dismissal Procedures: Pick up starts at 5:00pm at the entrance on 8th street. Please make sure you are masked and prepared to show ID during pick up. Pick up concludes at 5.30.
Grades Served: K – 5th Grade
Program Options
5 days a week
2 days a week (Monday & Tuesday)
2 days a week (Wednesday & Thursday)
Parent Pick up Time: 5:00pm – 5:30pm
Core Components
Each day students participate in community circles, sunrise, free play and sunset.
Our sunrise meeting takes place at the start of every program, and serves as an opportunity to frame the day. During Sunrise, each group sits together in a circle, sets/revisits group and personal goals, and reviews the schedule together.
During unstructured play group leaders are engaged with their students but not leading activities. During this time, group leaders encourage exploration, curiosity, and creativity.
Sunset closes the day. Students and group leaders will end their day with songs, games, and a reflection of the day’s challenges and successes.
Inquiry Based Environmental Science (Science Explorers)
Delivered by our team members or partner content providers, groups gather to participate in daily content sessions. Content rotates from semester to semester.
Site Director: TBD
Phone: 212-529-5113 ext.2
Email: info@trailblazers.org
Trail Blazers After School programs include Environmental Adventure, Art and other recreational and play-focused content guided by our group leaders.
Additional partner providers confirmed for 2023-34 are: Brooklyn Seeds, Chess NYC, Cinema Kidz and more to come!
Tuition for the 2023-24 School Season:
5 Days a Week Option (Per Semester)
FULL FEE – $3100
2 Days a Week Option (Per Semester)
FULL FEE – $1555
An additional 5% admin fee is applied to all enrollments
Sibling discounts of 10% are automatically processed during enrollment, when completed in the same order. This discount applies to the 2nd+ child enrolled.
Additional scholarships are available on a limited basis for qualifying families to further reduce the cost, made possible by a scholarship fund created by Trail Blazers and the PS118 PTA. – Contact info@trailblazers.org for more information
Please familiarize yourself with our Terms and Conditions, which includes our participation waiver. These documents will also be available on your ACTIVE enrollment portal.
If you have have any questions, please contact our office.
Our programs follow guidance set forth by the Department of Education for operation of after school programs in public school building, supplemented with our own safety precuations.
Ready to register?
In the enrollment portal you can filter by your school, to only show those enrollment options.
If you have have any questions, please contact our office.
What Our Parents say
“We love Trail Blazers because they spend time getting to know the children. I’ve seen counselors playing with the children, which changes how they respond and makes them excited for after school. Thank you for loving my son and being a part of our family for the last 3 years!”
~ Parent,
“Trail Blazers has a great after school program and I feel safe sending my child here. Also my son loves the outdoors now even more and is learning new and exciting things about nature I am so happy about that, go Trail Blazers.”
~ Parent,