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Power-On Out of School Time Program
The Power-On Program is designed for youth ages 5-12 years old, entering Kindergarten through grade 6. Program participants are encouraged to meet new friends, play, build, learn and grow through a variety of recreation-based leisure activities and enrichment. The Power-On program includes creative and performing arts; music & movement; sports & physical fitness opportunities; health & wellness activities; special events, enrichment and STEM opportunities.
Programs offered at the recreation centers and ACPS after school locations are not licensed child care programs but are based on local standards approved the City Attorney.
OSTP 2022-23 Registration
Summer 2023 Registration
Option 2: Register In-Person
- Step 1: Sign up for programs through WebTrac
- Step 2: Visit your preferred OSTP location and fill out the form below
4H Cooperative Extension Seeks Summer Intern
The City of Alexandria 4H Cooperative Extension Office is currently recruiting for a Summer Internship position. Please see the information below and apply if you are interested.
The intern will assist mainly with, but not limited to, 4-H programming in the Alexandria recreation centers by bringing various 4-H curriculum to their summer camp youth, in addition to other identified programming needs in the community. Alexandria VCE has an established strong partnership with the recreation centers, and we are looking for an enthusiastic intern to promote VCE to their youth and families, incorporating all the programs we offer to our community. This will involve exposure to areas in 4-H, ANR (agriculture and natural resources), and FCS (family and consumer sciences). The intern will bring together 4-H, ANR, and FCS programming in a manner such as teaching youth how to garden with the help of our extensive Master Gardener program and healthy living with our Master Food Volunteers.
The intern will have flexibility in the curriculum they can select to facilitate and will be encouraged to develop programs related to personal interests, as long as the programs meet locally identified needs. There will also be opportunities to participate in other extension activities, including the Arlington County Fair, camp prep, and club involvement, if desired. Office work will be minimal and will be mainly hands-on focused.
Program Information
Out of School Time School Year Programs 2022-23
The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities will offer its Out of School Time Program (OSTP) for school-aged children in kindergarten through sixth grade for the 2022-23 school year. The afterschool recreation program is scheduled for August 22, 2022, through June 16, 2023, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at the Charles Barrett; Charles Houston; Leonard “Chick” Armstrong; Mount Vernon; Patrick Henry; and William Ramsay recreation centers, and at the following ACPS elementary schools - Ferdinand T. Day; John Adams; and Douglas MacArthur.
The OSTP fee is $575 for the school year; $295 with documentation for free/reduced-price school meals; $245 with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; or $145 with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center will offer its Youth Achieving Greatness Program (YAG) with structured enrichment activities to increase learning, independence, socialization, and leadership skills. The program also operates during the same dates/times: August 22, 2022, through June 16, 2023. The program fee is $399 per season (Fall, Winter, Spring); $239 for free/reduced-price school meals, $199 for SNAP, or $119 for TANF per season.
The school year OSTP and YAG programs are open only to City residents and will follow the pre-registration and registration procedures outlined below.
There will be a pre-registration period provided for Alexandria residents who qualify for financial assistance. Beginning June 13 through June 18, registration and financial assistance forms will be available online, and printed forms will be available for pickup and drop-off at the following locations (call the location to verify operating hours):
- Lee Center Registration and Reservation Office, 1108 Jefferson St., 703.746.5414
- Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St., 703.746.5552
- Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 West Reed Ave., 703.746.5554
- Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., 703.746.5556
- Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Ave., 703.746.5557
- William Ramsay Recreation Center, 6560 Sanger Ave., 703.746.5558
Applicants are required to verify eligibility by completing and submitting the pre-registration forms by June 18. All submissions will be placed in a computerized lottery, randomly selecting the order of eligible applicants, and generating a waitlist if needed. Selected applicants will be contacted by email and/or phone beginning June 22 with additional information on program registration. Applicants must complete the enrollment process by June 27.
On Wednesday, June 29 at 9 a.m., any remaining openings will be available using general online-only registration.
On Thursday, June 30, in-person, and online registration for any remaining openings will be available. In-person registration can be completed at any neighborhood recreation center during program operating hours.
To ensure the safety of participants and prevent the spread of COVID-19, each program will follow all federal, state, and local guidelines. For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Jackie.Person@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5423, Virginia Relay 711
Summer 2023 Power-On/Power-Up Programs
A full day of recreational activities for children and youth entering grades 1 – 6 and entering grades 6 – 10 in Fall 2023. Each program will run for eight weeks beginning June 20 – August 11 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Registration fees are $445 per child. Financial assistance is available for families who receive; Free/ Reduced School Meals $215, SNAP $179, TANF $105. Before care is provided 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. for an additional $39 fee, per child, per week. Registration is required before attending before care. Fees are subject to increase beginning July 1.
Parent Information Packets are required to complete registration and will soon be available at each recreation center and at the Lee Center. All participants must be residents of the City of Alexandria. Beginning February 6 through February 11, Pre-Registration will be available online and In-Person. General online-only registration will begin on Wednesday, February 22 at 9 a.m.
Summer Power-On/Power-Up Programs will be offered at the following recreation centers:
- Charles Barrett Recreation Center, 1115 Martha Custis Drive, 703.746.5551/ 703.746.5411
- Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street, 703.746.5552
- Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, 703.746.5556
- Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 West Reed Avenue, 703.746.5554
- Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Avenue, 703.746.5557
- William Ramsay Recreation Center, 5650 Sanger Avenue, 703.746.5558
Summer Power-On/Power-Up Programs will be offered at the following schools:
- Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School, 1701 N Beauregard St., 703.746.5411
- John Adams Elementary School, 5651 Rayburn Ave, 703.746.5411
- James K. Polk Elementary School, 5000 Polk Ave, 703.746.5411
- Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, 4633 Taney Ave, 703.746.5411 (Power-Up Middle School Program for youth entering grades 6 – 10 in Fall 2023)
ACPS Summer Power-On/ Power-Up locations are subject to change.
Registration minimums and maximums vary by location. To ensure the safety of participants and prevent the spread of COVID, each program will follow all federal, state, and local guidelines. COVID related information and guidelines subject to change based on the CDC and Alexandria Health Department's guidelines.
Virginia Cooperative Extension and 4-H Programs
Virginia Cooperative Extension’s (VCE) oversees community programming in 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, agriculture, natural resources, and community viability. Programs are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital or family status. VCE is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The VCE Alexandria Office brings the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, to the residents of Alexandria by providing research-based solutions to the problems facing residents. The office is located in the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street. For more information please call 703.746.5546.
4-H Youth Development is the largest youth development organization in the country with nearly 6 million youths involved. One in six adults are 4-H alumni. The main focus of 4-H is to empower youths to develop their leadership, community service, and life skills by working with dedicated and caring volunteers through a “learn by doing” approach. Any child aged 5-19 years old regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, or genetic information may participate. It is opportunity for all and clubs are FREE! However, to keep it free, we do need adult volunteer leaders and are always looking for those interested in helping and mentoring children. If interested in learning more, please call 703.746.5546 or check out our website.
Family Nutrition Programs (FNP) are operated as a joint project of Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Department of Social Services. The FNP program is strictly educational and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Service. Youth, adults, and families learn about nutrition and healthy eating, food preparation skills and resource management skills. The program is free to participants. To learn more about FNP classes, please call 703.746.5546.
Agriculture Natural Resources (ANR) programs provide public education on sustainable landscape management and food gardening. Weekly gardening classes are free and a full schedule is available at http://mgnv.org. Our Extension Master Gardener Help Desk located in the Fairlington Community Center (3308 S. Stafford St. Arlington 22206), is staffed on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and provides technical consulting on plant disease, soil testing, plant care including pruning, insect identification, native plant selection and usage, and invasive species management. Email us at mgarlalex@gmail.com, call us at 703.228.6414, or come see us at one of our Extension Master Gardener Plant Clinics at the Delray Farmer's Market and at the Old Town Farmer's Market held weekly between April and November.
Alexandria demonstration gardens managed by Master Gardener volunteers can be seen at Simpson Park on Monroe Ave, and at the Jerome Buddie Ford Nature Center on Sanger Ave. Info on other demonstration gardens can be found at https://MGNV.org.
Join us! Extension Master Gardener volunteer training is conducted annually from September to November. Call our Help Desk for more information. 703.228.6414.
Volunteer Opportunities
Are you interested in doing something positive for your community? If you would like to give the gift of your time and expertise, please call the Alexandria Extension office at 703.746.5546.
Fee Assistance Program for City Residents
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities encourages participation in City programs from all City residents. If you, a member of your family or a friend would like to participate in programs or activities sponsored by this Department and are in need of fee assistance in order to participate, please contact the sponsoring program office for more detailed information at least two weeks in advance. For general information, please call 703.746.5414.
Therapeutic Recreation
The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jackie Person, Therapeutic Recreation Program Manager, at 703.746.5423 (VA Relay 711) or jackie.person@alexandriava.gov.
Click here to learn more about Therapeutic Recreation programs provided by the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.
Access Your Childcare Statement
Click here to learn how to access your Childcare Statement.
Access Your Childcare Statement
Steps 1 & 2
Step 3
3. Under the "Reports" section, Click on Childcare Statement
Step 4
4. Run Statement by Tax Year and Select All Information Needed
Step 5
5. The report will be sent to the email on file, so please make sure your email address is still accurate!