PS 9
After School

 

TRAIL BLAZERS After School at PS 9

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 content.

 

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…

  • Connecting to our community and connecting to nature
  • Building stewardship for our community and environment
  • Emphasis on “Social Emotional Learning” skills 
  • Play-as-learning and screen-free, hands-on experiences
  • All children deserving access to high-quality and effective programs that help them learn and grow, regardless of their family’s financial ability 
Trail Blazers is aligned with the PS 9 community’s vision to engage and excite the whole childenabling them to “imagine the world as they wish it to be and to co-create to leave their mark”!
 

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:

  • GOAL SETTING: both as a larger community and their individual groups, our campers spend time deciding upon daily, aspirational group and individual goals and planning paths towards them during the Sunrise Circle
  • TEAM BUILDING and CHALLENGE: working together to solve problems and encouraging each other to persist when things get tough
  • FREE PLAY and EXPLORATION: letting wonder and imagination guide the program experience
  • SCIENCE and SKILL BUILDING: honing in on specific interests and developing a methodical approach to learning – this is where ou program partners bring some additional magic.
  • REFLECTION: reflecting on one’s performance, focusing on the day’s highs and lows, and getting excited about what tomorrow will bring during the Sunset Circle

This approach – which looks different every day, within every program, and for every group – delivers a uniquely powerful youth development experience.

Trail Blazers @ PS9

What Our Parents say

Testimonials From Years Past

“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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