Our after school programs are carefully designed to deliver exciting experiences that help campers grow in their social emotional capacities., with the goal to offer a strong supplement to the school day, that has your camper excited to return each day!
Our elementary school programs operate as recreation-only programs under the provision in New York State Child Day Care Regulations (Effective April 21, 2021), Section 413.2. These activities are not sponsored or endorsed by the New York City Department of Education or the City of New York.
After School fall registration is open for select schools. Please select visit your schools page or go directly to the registration page.
Please call 212-529-5113 Ext.2 or email info@trailblazers.org if you want to discuss options for your school.
Over One hundred thirty years and counting 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 After School offers holistic and innovative after school programming to elementary school students throughout New York City to promote critical thinking and a sense of wonder for the world around us. Our four core values – respect for one’s self, respect for others, respect for the community, and respect for the environment – guide all aspects of our program, ensuring that your child is growing and learning in the process of having an amazing time. Our After School program is modeled after 130 years of experience designing exciting summer camp programs. In after school, too, each day is filled with outdoor elements and a schedule determined by the interests of the group. The program differs at each school, as we customize this after school solution centered on environmental exploration and community engagement.
We believe in the importance of…
At Trail Blazers, we play – a lot! During After School, we spend time in structured and unstructured playtime, where campers practice voice and choice and exercise their imaginations. We believe (and research shows) that play teaches children valuable social and emotional skills that will help them become thriving adults.
We play outside every day, in all seasons, because there is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing! Active, outdoor play can relieve stress, promote the development of large motor skills, increase social skills, and inspire imagination and creativity. Positive outdoor experiences when it is cold or wet outside also develop resiliency and a connection to the natural world!
Each day is unique, however, every day will include the following essential components:
We don’t have a set daily schedule but every day will include the same essential components:
Sunrise Circle – As students transition out of the school day into after school, our staff spends time checking in with each child. Guided by the Value Catcher, students determine an individual goal for the day.
Solo time (Homework) – Every day, we enjoy a snack and dedicate time to homework. We don’t offer academic tutoring or one-on-one support but our group leaders are always available to provide assistance and encourage kids when homework is tough. Campers who don’t have homework can read or participate in another calm, individual activity.
Teambuilding and play – We play – a lot! Play in after school is an important component for social learning, physical health and plain old fun! Not only do our groups receive at least one full hour of free play every day, but we also play outside year-round – in all types of weather! Time outdoors will certainly increase this year as well!
Science or Specialty Content – Each day includes one activity or experiment, either guided by the theme of the week or by student interest. We focus on environmental exploration through science experiments, nature crafts, and outdoor scavenger hunts.
Sunset Circle – The day ends with a Trail Blazers camp tradition – the sunset circle, singing songs, playing games and reflecting on successes and challenges of the day.
This year, we are excited to partner with the following schools (select your school to visit the school page):
PS 118 The Maurice Sendak Community School
PS 217 Colonel David Marcus School
Want to bring Trail Blazers to your school? Please call 212-529-5113 ext.2 or email sfagan-perl@trailblazers.org to discuss options!
Tuition and fees are set individually for each school. Please visit your school’s page for details.
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.
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.
Do you offer payment plans?
My cart is showing full tuition prices, how can I apply tier discounts?
Tier discounts are applied as a coupon. During the enrollment process you will receive a coupon code based on your selected tier. Apply this coupon code to your shopping cart to add the tier discount. Please reach out to our registration team if you are having trouble.
What kind of homework support will my child receive?
Every day, we provide time for focused homework time. Group Leaders will provide encouragement and support but cannot provide one-on-one academic support.
If I don’t want my child to go outside, can they stay indoors?
No, your child must remain with their group the entirety of the day.
Will they be with the same group of students in their regular class?
We understand that this would be ideal to avoid mixing groups, however it can only be accommodated if the full class is enrolled in the program. It is unlikely your camper will be with the same group of kids and it’s not something we can guarantee.
How will Trail Blazers ensure COVID-19 safety during the program?
We are developing a comprehensive safety plan guided by best practices from the DOH, CDC, and DOE. It will include protocols for daily screening, cleaning, distancing, and communication. All staff will be trained on this plan. When the full plan is available, it will be shared on this webpage.
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 After School offers holistic and innovative after school programming to elementary school students throughout New York City to promote critical thinking and a sense of wonder for the world around us. Our four core values – respect for one’s self, respect for others, respect for the community, and respect for the environment – guide all aspects of our program, ensuring that your child is growing and learning in the process of having an amazing time. Our After School program is modeled after 130 years of experience designing exciting summer camp programs. In after school, too, each day is filled with outdoor elements and a schedule determined by the interests of the group. The program differs at each school, as we customize this after school solution centered on environmental exploration and community engagement.
We believe in the importance of…
At Trail Blazers, we play – a lot! During After School, we spend time in structured and unstructured playtime, where campers practice voice and choice and exercise their imaginations. We believe (and research shows) that play teaches children valuable social and emotional skills that will help them become thriving adults.
We play outside every day, in all seasons, because there is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing! Active, outdoor play can relieve stress, promote the development of large motor skills, increase social skills, and inspire imagination and creativity. Positive outdoor experiences when it is cold or wet outside also develop resiliency and a connection to the natural world!
The Summit Middle School programs currently runs at the following schools(click to view the school’s page):
Fees and registration are custom and differ school by school. Please visit the individual school page for details.
We are redesigning this section.
Our After School program is modeled after 130 years of experience designing exciting summer camp programs. Trail Blazers After School offers holistic and innovative after school programming to elementary school students throughout New York City to promote critical thinking and a sense of wonder for the world around us.
School programs are custom designed for each school. Our programs are developed in partnerships with families, schools, and neighborhood organizations. Our four core values – respect for one’s self, respect for others, respect for the community, and respect for the environment – guide all aspects of our program, ensuring that your child is growing and learning in the process of having an amazing time.
More than ever, our programs will push each of us to connect with our communities on a deeper level and embrace the notion that it truly does take a village to raise a child. Keep scrolling to learn more about the exciting new programs we have to offer and talk to us about Trail Blazers at your school!
“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 afterschool 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,