TRAIL BLAZERS After School at PS 705
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 PS 705 for our 6th year.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID this program was re-tooled to focus on play and recreation solely. It operates as a recreation-only program under the provision in New York State Child Day Care Regulations (Effective April 21, 2021), Section 413.2. This program is not sponsored or endorsed by the New York City Department of Education or the City of New York.
We believe in the importance of…
Trail Blazers After School at PS 705 is a strong community partnership that aligns the values of Trail Blazers and the principles of PS 705:
Ultimately creating an engaging, and empowering experience for our campers!
Our Approach
One hundred thirty-four 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 @ PS705
Site Director: Emily
Phone: (845) 682-9630
Email: erussell@trailblazers.org
For an overview of how our after school programs are structured, please visit the School Programs page.
Grades Served: Pre-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 – 6:00pm
Core Components
Each day students participate in 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)
Science Explores highlights an Inquiry-based learning approach that emphasizes the student’s role in the learning process. Rather than group leaders telling students what they need to know, students are encouraged to explore the material, ask questions, and share ideas. Some of the Science Explores Club themes include but are not limited to sustainable design, composting, the built environment and nature focused community mapping.
Other Program Components
Chess and Yoga clubs are are offered weekly to participants.
Trail Blazers After School programs include Environmental Adventure, Art and other recreational and play-focused content guided by our group leaders.
| All Trail Blazers programs are offered on a tier basis, loosely linked to family income, leveraging demand while creating greater access. Your tier is self-selected during the application process. If you are applying for the Empire State Afterschool Program (ESAP), please complete a waitlist application and contact the registration team when completed. |
| 5 Days a Week Option |
| TIER 1 (family income up to $50,000)- $1,620.40 – 50% discount |
| TIER 2 (family income $50,000-$75,000) – $2,106.50 – 35% discount |
| TIER 3 (family income $75,000-$100,000) – $2592.50 – 20% discount |
| TIER 4 (family income over $100,000) – $3,079.50 – 5% discount |
| FULL FEE – $3,240.75 |
| 2 Days a Week Option |
| TIER 1 (family income up to $50,000)- $891.25 – 50% discount |
| TIER 2 (family income $50,000-$75,000) – $1,158.50 – 35% discount |
| TIER 3 (family income $75,000-$100,000) – $1,426 – 20% discount |
| TIER 4 (family income over $100,000) – $1,693.50 – 5% discount |
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FULL FEE – $1782.50 5 Days a Week Option (3K) TIER 1 (family income up to $50,000)- $1812.50 – 50% discount TIER 2 (family income $50,000-$75,000) – $2356.25 – 35% discount TIER 3 (family income $75,000-$100,000) – $2900 – 20% discount TIER 4 (family income over $100,000) – $3443.75 – 5% discount FULL FEE – $3625 |
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We encourage you to select the tier that makes the most sense for your family. Additional scholarships are available on a limited basis for families in the tier 1 range to further reduce the cost. Tier discounts are applied as a coupon, you will receive a coupon code during the enrollment process. Apply this code to your cart to receive the tier discount. Sibling discounts of 10% are automatically processed during enrollment. |
| If you are interested in being considered for additional scholarship assistance, first submit your registration, then complete the Scholarship Request Form on your dashboard. Scholarship allocation is made on a rolling basis and as available. Please speak to our registration staff if you have additional questions or needs. |
| We strive to make after school accessible to all. If you cannot access the registration system online, please call our registration team to enroll over the phone or to schedule an in-person appointment. |
| Upon registering you will have the option to pay in full or to select a payment plan. |
| A 5% system admin fee is applied to all orders. |
After successfully running in-person programs throughout this pandemic, including day camp in 2020, we learned a thing or two about keeping families safe. All our counselors have been trained on COVID best practices, following CDC and DOH regulations, and strictly adhere to our Safety Plan and guidelines to ensure the safety of our campers, families, and staff. Our safety plan for after school will be developed with guidance from the Department of Education and will posted here.
Safety Plan
Ready to register?
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, 2020
“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, 2020
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