K–8 students at eight Aztec and Bloomfield schools have a safe, hands-on place to learn after the bell. Through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, a consortium of REC1, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Juan County, Aztec Municipal Schools and Bloomfield Schools offers free after-school camps with homework help, STEAM projects, mentoring and time to play. Transportation is provided, and there's no cost to families.
Highlights
Two camps, one for every age. Elementary Brain Camp serves grades K–5, and Middle School Teen Camp serves grades 6–8.
Eight schools, two districts. All K–8 students at the participating schools are eligible.
Free for families, with transportation provided.
Designed to serve 440 students, with about 332 hours of programming per school year.
Elementary Brain Camp
Grades K–5, Monday–Thursday, 2:30–5:30 p.m. Students get small-group tutoring and Fast ForWord reading support, hands-on science, engineering, math and art projects, and Triple Play games with lessons on healthy food choices and composting. Camp also builds resilience, empathy and positive behavior, and includes Native-led lessons and cultural expression through art.
Middle School Teen Camp
Grades 6–8, Monday–Friday, 3:15–6:15 p.m. Each day includes Power Hour, with time for homework, studying and extra help. Students also build, code and solve real problems in STEAM and robotics, take part in small-group mentoring and student-led service projects, explore local careers with TransfrTrek career training, and practice life skills such as gardening, money management, and time and conflict management.
Where camp happens
Aztec elementary schools (Park Avenue, Lydia Rippey, McCoy Avenue and Mosaic Academy Charter): camp is held on your child's school campus, with a ride home at the end of the day.
Koogler Middle School: students ride daily to the Boys & Girls Club Aztec campus and its teen facilities.
Bloomfield elementary schools (Blanco and Naaba Ani): students ride daily to the Boys & Girls Club Bloomfield campus, with a tech lab, library, art room and rec space.
Mesa Alta Jr. High: camp is held on campus, with a ride home at the end of the day.
Need care on Fridays? Supervised time at the Boys & Girls Club is available, with transportation from school.
Families are part of the team
Kids do better in class, and show up more often, when families and schools work together. Family nights and events bring people together for cooking nights, food drives and more. Academic Parent Teacher Teams help families learn grade-level strategies to use at home. A parent liaison at every school helps families stay connected, and staff reach out to help remove barriers to attendance.
How to enroll
Call or visit your child's school or your nearest Boys & Girls Club to sign up or ask questions. School and district partners can contact REC1 about the program.
Funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program.
