The Power-On Program is designed for youth ages 5-12, entering kindergarten through 6th grade. Program participants are encouraged to meet new friends, play, build, learn, and grow through recreation-based leisure activities and enrichment.

• School Year Power-On: Youth entering grades Kindergarten through 6th grade (ages 5-12)

• Summer Power-On: Rising 1st graders through rising 6th graders (between ages 5-12)

Programs offered at the recreation centers and ACPS afterschool locations are not licensed childcare programs but are based on local standards approved by the City Attorney.

Includes:

• Creative and Performing Arts
• Music and Movement
• Sports and Physical Fitness Opportunities
• Health and Wellness Activities
• Special Events
• Enrichment
• STEM Opportunities

The Power-Up Program is designed for young teens entering 6th-10th grades in the fall. This program offers opportunities for peer-to-peer socialization and engaging age-appropriate activities for all participants.

The program is offered at one location during the summer months and is not a licensed childcare program but is based on local standards approved by the City Attorney.

Includes:

• Creative and Performing Arts
• Music and Movement
• Sports and Physical Fitness Opportunities
• Health and Wellness Activities
• Special Events
• Enrichment
• STEM Opportunities

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 2024-25 school year. The afterschool recreation program is scheduled for August 19, 2024, through June 12, 2025, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at 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 $892 for the school year; $305 with documentation for free/reduced-price school meals; $255 with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; or $149 with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Fees subject to change starting July 1.

The school year OSTP 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 9 through June 14, 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 14.  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 19 with additional information on program registration. Applicants must complete the enrollment process by June 24.

On Wednesday, June 26 at 9 a.m., any remaining openings will be available using general online-only registration.

On Thursday, June 27, 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.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Jackie.Person@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5423, Virginia Relay 711

The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities will offer its Power-On Summer Camp Program for elementary-aged youth entering 1st-6th grades in Fall 2024. One location will serve Power-Up program participants entering 6th-10th grades in Fall 2024.

Summer Camp will begin Monday, June 17, and end Friday, August 9, 2024.

The Summer Power-On/Power-Up fee is $459 for the summer, $225 with documentation for free/reduced-price school meals, and FREE with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Program fees are subject to increase beginning July 1.

The Summer Power-On/Power-Up 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 February 5 through February 10, pre-registration and financial assistance forms will be available online, and printed forms will be available for pickup and drop-off at the following locations (please 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, 5650 Sanger Ave., 703.746.5558

Applicants are required to verify eligibility by completing and submitting the pre-registration forms by February 10. 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 February 14 with additional information on program registration. Applicants must complete the enrollment process by February 20.

On Wednesday, February 21 at 9 a.m., any remaining openings will be available using general online-only registration.

On Thursday, February 22, 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.

Visit alexandriava.gov/Recreation or call 703.746.5414 for more information. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay up to date with all RPCA events and news! 

For inquiries, contact the Registration & Reservation Office at 703.746.5414.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Jackie Person at jackie.person@alexandriava.gov, or 703.746.5423, Virginia Relay 711.

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 six 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.-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.

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 need fee assistance 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.

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.

Click here to learn how to access your Childcare Statement.

1. Log into WebTrac: alexandriava.gov/WebTrac.

2. Click My Account in top right corner.

3. Under the "Reports" section, click on Childcare Statement.

4. Run Statement by Tax Year and select All Information Needed.

5. The report will be sent to the email on file, so please make sure your email address is still accurate.