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…
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 @ PS9
Site Director: Ney Nixon
Phone: 929-722-4581
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.
For an overview of how our after school programs are structured, please visit the School Programs page.
Grades Served: PreK – 5th Grade
Program Options
5 days a week
2 days a week (Monday & Tuesday)
2 days a week (Wednesday & Thursday)
Parent Pick up Time: 5:15pm – 5:45pm
Dismissal Procedures: Pick up starts at 5:15pm at the main entrance. Please make sure you are masked and prepared to show ID during pick up.
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.
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. | |||||
5 Days a Week Option | |||||
TIER 1 (family income up to $50,000)- $2,000 | |||||
TIER 2 (family income $50,000-$75,000) – $2,750 | |||||
TIER 3 (family income $75,000-$100,000) – $3,200 | |||||
TIER 4 (family income over $100,000) – $4,000 | |||||
FULL FEE – $4,250 | |||||
2 Days a Week Option | |||||
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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. 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. |
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.
Terms and Conditions
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. Our staff will continue to mask in our programs untill further notice.
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, 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