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Community Education plays a critical role in helping young people grow from birth to teens . Youth-focused programs and services provide more than just education or entertainment – they contribute to a safe and healthy community by providing young people with engaging activities that help them learn and grow into productive citizens .

This summer , make time for your child to meet friends , learn new things and make fun memories ! Anoka-Hennepin Community Education coordinates summer classes , activities and programs at various locations across the school district for children ages birth – fifteen years of age all summer long .

1 . Have confidence in letting your child choose .

A typical school day is filled with important lessons and tools to help your child succeed academically . Community Education programs support what your child has learned all year long with hands-on opportunities designed to encourage children to explore a wide range of interests .

In addition to sports , arts and crafts , the Community Schools program works in collaboration with K-12 teachers to design classes that allow students to continue focusing on specific subjects or to explore career paths .

“ Kids are really engaged in these classes ,” explains Jamie Law , Community Schools coordinator at Northdale Middle School . “ They get to build on a STEM concept , for example , which they started learning about during the school year with advanced experimentation through Lego robotics in the classes that we offer .”

As a family , you and your child can discuss whether they would like to explore a new interest or work on strengthening skills and talents that he or she may already have a passion for .

2 . Foster new friendships .

Summer programs are offered at school locations across the school district allowing children to meet new friends with similar interests . Research shows that extracurricular activities help develop teamwork and social skills that are applicable to the classroom , and will eventually transfer to the workplace .

Summer classes are offered at locations across this district . Find a class or activity at one of your nearby schools to meet neighbors in your own backyard .

3 . Dig into outdoor exploration .

Our staff know that kids learn by doing and exploring . Whenever possible , students get outdoors to stretch their legs , enjoy a cool treat , dig for microorganisms to examine under a microscope , or run drills through the grass instead of a gym floor !

Our Early Childhood Family Education teachers say that the outdoors are a great place for preschoolers to practice gross motor skills - running , jumping and climbing . Social / emotional and cognitive development are impacted outdoors , too , children are more likely to invent games , express themselves and learn about the world in their own way as they explore .

4 . Our programs are a great value – and valuable .

Youth programs coordinated by Anoka-Hennepin Community Education follow nationally recognized youth program quality assessment ( YPQA ) standards and processes promoting positive youth development that ensure a quality experience while in our schools .

Community Schools classes and activities can be an affordable way to gauge a child ’ s interest in an activity . “ We offer four-to-six session classes ranging from athletics , cooking , art , music and theater activities - which are nice for younger children to try something out ,” said Nancy Knop , Community Schools coordinator at Oak View Middle School . “ Families appreciate that before making a year-long time and financial commitment to a team or activity .”

While your child focuses on the activity , our staff is focused on the students . “ Our classes usually have smaller class sizes , which allows for individualized attention and instruction ,” said Tim Dahlheimer , Community Schools coordinator at Coon Rapids Middle School .

Adventures Plus school-age care offers the convenience of quality , in-school child care at prices competitive with local child care providers . The summer program provides a safe , nurturing atmosphere for students , emphasizing the development of social , emotional , physical and intellectual skills . ( The field trips are pretty fun , too !)

5 . Take time to relax – and tame transition terrors .

Students – and even parents – can experience anxiety when transitions to a new school , whether it ’ s kindergarten or middle school . Community Education offers programming to help families feel comfortable easing into a new school .

• Adventures Bound : Summer care prepares incoming kindergarten students by combining recreational and academic activities .

• Community Schools ; Youth classes and activities : ranging from preschool to middle school expose children to routine and build self-esteem .

• Peak Adventures : Staff provide guidance for youth completing grades five through seven while promoting and developing independence in an effort to ease the transition to middle school in the fall .

6 . Stay cool – our programs develop life skills , too .

Studies show that children involved in out-of-school activities and classes – benefit from improved focus , grades , time management and social-emotional development .

“ We are proud to offer preschoolers the unique opportunity for early social interaction in a recreational atmosphere ,” Dahlheimer says . “ As they grow older , they develop self-esteem and self-confidence in our classes by making new friends and expanding their knowledge in an interest area that they really care about .”

Each summer and throughout the school year , Community Education also offers safety camps , babysitting or lifeguarding certification . “ These are skills that are useful and applicable to the rest of their lives - for work or for personal safety ,” Law said . “ We see kids learn about cooperation in sports or learn how to work within rules to achieve an independent goal .”

Join us ! Read more about our programs and how we can support your family this summer – or all year long . www . discovercommunityed . com . ■