Youth After-School and Summer Programs

One of the highest priorities for each of the 26 community recreation centers is offering quality programs for school-aged children. Each center offers after-school and summer enrichment programs for children from 6 to 14 years of age. Select centers also offer the Nashville After-School Zone (NAZA) program for middle school students.

Children can participate in a drop-in program that focuses on active recreation, while supporting healthy social and academic development. Space is limited for these free programs, so advance application is required. Summer programs have a designated registration day, and applications are not accepted prior to that date. The application dates and required forms are available at each community center.

After School programs operate Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Summer enrichment programs operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily during the Metro Public Schools summer break. Most summer program locations also participate in the Metro Action Commission's summer youth lunch program. This program provides free lunches for children who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches.

Participating children are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner, follow directions from staff and adhere to all park and community center rules. Unruly children can be expelled from the program and the center. Parents are expected to pick up children on time at the end of the program session. Repeated late pick-ups will result in expulsion from the program.

To ensure the safety of children and maintain the highest quality program, capacity limits are established for each center.More specific program information is available at each community center location.

2022-23 After-School Program

Metro Parks offers a free after-school program designed primarily for local children who walk to and from community centers. The program runs from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday at your local community center. The program is open only to children between the ages of 6 and 14. To ensure children's safety and provide program quality, maximum capacity limits are established for each program and facility. Once that capacity is reached, no more participants can be allowed in the program. Sign-ups continue until the maximum limit is reached. After that limit is reached, interested individuals are placed on a waiting list.

This program is not recommended for children who lack the maturity and discipline to stay with their assigned age-appropriate group for the duration of the program. At no time may a child under the age of 6 be at a community center without parental supervision. Parks and community centers are open to the public during youth program times, and patrons are able to enter and leave the facilities through multiple exits. Each participating child must have a Youth Patron Information form filled out by a parent or legal guardian on file with the community center manager.

Staff at each community center lead organized activities during the duration of the program hours. Activities include various games, sports, arts and crafts, dancing, and homework help. Children get to interact with the community, learn proper socialization skills, and stay active during the school year. Stop by or call your local community center today and ask about the free Metro Parks After-School Program!