After School Program

We are dedicated to family engagement, positive behavior guidance, and innovation to support the social-emotional development of every child we serve.

enroll

Children are grouped by grade level into groups no larger than 13. Each group leader is also assisted by a Lesley Art Therapy graduate level intern and volunteers. See photos of our facilities.

Schedule
2:00-3:15PM Arrival Play in the gym, the computer lab, or outside during arrival!
3:15-3:30PM Snack Eat a free nutritious snack and talk about your day.
3:30-4:30PM Homework Get one on one homework help with a volunteer & play classroom games.
4:30-5:30PM Electives Choose from over 15 electives!
5:30-6:00PM Departure Socialize with your friends, play some basketball, or play games in our Tech Lab before you leave!

2017-2018 Electives Include:

• Computer Classes in our Mac Lab
• Cooking
• Drama Classes in partnership with Liars and Believers
• Gardening
• HEARTplay
• Jam'nastics
• Karate Classes in partnership with Boston Karate Institue
• Expressive Arts with Interns from the Expressive Arts Therapy Graduate Program at Lesley University
• Sports League in partnership with Coaching Corps

We are open when school is closed.
The Center is open from 2:00pm-6:00pm on regular school days, noon-6:00pm on early release days, and 7:30am-5:30pm on most school vacation days.

2018-2019 Center Closure Dates
We are open for every school holiday and vacation day in Cambridge except:

Wed. July 4th, Independence Day
Mon. Sept. 3rd, Labor Day
Thu. Nov. 22nd, Thanksgiving Day
Fri. Nov. 23rd, Day After Thanksgiving
Tue. Dec. 25th, Christmas Day
Tue. Jan. 1st, New Year's Day
Mon. Jan. 21st, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Mon. Feb. 18th, Presidents' Day
Mon. Apr. 15th, Patriots Day
Mon. May 27th, Memorial Day
Mon. June 24th- 28th, Annual Center Closure

Program Principals
Our Out-of-School Time Programs are based around three principles we call the Three C's:

1. Care for Self
2. Care for Others
3. Care for Community

Behavior Guidance
We use the Nurtured Heart Approach designed to guide children in the most positive way possible. Our goal is to teach children to learn from situations, to take personal responsibility and ownership of their actions, and to develop their social skills and problem solving skills. 

Homework Policy
Children are expected to work on their homework from 3:30-4:30. The Cambridge Community Center is not a homework center.

Family Engagement
We are dedicated to enrolling not only children, but families. Group leaders update parents every week and help plan monthly Family Nights. The first Friday of every month is Family Night, where all of our families are invited to eat dinner and socialize with staff and other families. Past family nights have included decorating gingerbread houses, movie nights, and collage making!