Our library has an extensive teen program. Love it. We also have a teen rec. center but it is religious in nature, although I think somewhat non-denominational. It's not like a church, but it is sort of designed to help youth keep on the straight and narrow Christian-specific path.

The local county recreation dept offers all kinds of classes as does the park and recreation dept. Police do an outreach program, also libraries, local theaters, frequently in connection with the public schools.

http://excelbeyondthebell.org/ specifically for middle schoolers, a public/private undertaking. Because transportation is frequently an issue, this takes place in the schools and food is also offered.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/activitiesandprograms/youthdevelopment/

Hospitals offer CPR and babysitter courses for that age group.

I would search Minneapolis Parks and Rec. They are rather famous for making lots of opportunities for the public to be active at city recreation facilities and at parks.

Do your schools have open community use policies, where the public can use the grounds after hours? I just published an article on the things local schools are doing onsite for physical activity in non-walkable neighborhoods.

Locally, we have a lot with bicycling. There are some bike mentoring programs locally that go to the schools. These have been very successful. We have a BMX track, velodrome, and cycling facilities, so they are really trying to promote them.

School-based programs

Community bike programs for kids

Surfing is popular here - I'm close to the beach. I stopped doing myself a few years ago, but I still have a winter wetsuit and a summer wetsuit.

Guess I should maybe have mentioned I'm in the Boston area. Surfing not really a thing here. ;-)

Good info so far, thanks!

In larger urban areas a lot of nature centers and museums offer "school's out" programming days.

Our county schools offer afternoon daycare(?) through 8th grade. If kids aren’t enrolled in that program, the recreation centers, library and boys/girls club have programs available. Our library Is always posting schedules of art and music classes for kids in the afternoon hours.

Being in Florida kids do have mostly year round access to ball fields, basketball courts and other sport activities.

Using the library, parks and playgrounds does not cost the family $$. There is a nominal charge for programs at the rec center and boys/girls club.

An organization we support is involved with helping supply scholarships for kids so that they can use the rec center and all the activities offered there.

Unfortunately we do not have a rec center or a boys/girls club, which is partly why this committee has been formed. We do have afterschool programs at all the schools (except HS) but we are looking for opportunities outside of those. (For example, for kids who might not attend our public schools.) We are in the brainstorming process as this committee has just been formed so it's just interesting to hear what other towns might be doing.

I think we can and should collaborate with our library and senior center...we also have a media center which I'm not that familiar with but I think something could be done with them too.

I have a fantasy of somehow creating a "makers space" for middle and high schoolers -- there is one in a nearby town but having something in our small town would be great as a drop-in option for kids after school and on weekends. We have a very strong AP art program at our high school and I could envision something where art students could volunteer (our HS has mandatory community service hours)… problem is, small town means not a lot of available space for something like this, but I can dream!

check out the Guilford (CT) library website. (Sorry no link.) I was always so impressed by their services for students. I remember that they would close the library to all patrons except high school students in the evenings during finals. Kids were allowed to bring in food and talk. They understood kids.

There are some introductory music programs here that introduces instruments to kids that age. It is an ideal time to do that if there is a resource for it in your area. Also many of the museums or historical sites here offer after school learning programs and so does the Botanical Garden with hands-on teen volunteer activities in the summer.

There is a special needs dance program here with teens who volunteer as dance leaders and helpers. (There are paid staffers too.) The kids put on a couple of programs every year and a well known celebrity does a fund raising show here every year or two and charges no fee for his performance.

In our town many of the churches are collaborating and using their spaces.

A lot of what we have is grassroots organized. I recall when my son was in 6th grade a team he was on had practice starting at 4PM daily. School got out at 2:25. If he took the bus home, he arrived home at 3:15, and would have to turn around and i would drive him to the field. This impacted him and about 6 other kids that lived out in the country. Another mother and I asked the school for a room, and we rotated meeting there with the boys, bringing an afterschool snack. Kids did homework or played board games, or we went on the fields with frisbees and such if it was nice.

We have bike 'train' that facilitates kids that live far out having a safe way to bike to school. The 'train' has stations where kids join or depart. They also have fun rides.

We have 'in the gym' after school activities, these vary but there is hula hooping, kazoo band, volleyball, obstacle course, etc.

School libraries are open for 2 hours after end of school day to provide a place for study and hanging out.

Town library is awesome.

School bus drops off at the YMCA in the next town, so you can get there, but you will need to figure out how to get home.

I saw this article today and thought of you Sueb.

Helping teens - a creative outlet for teens (Woman’s Day Magazine 2/19)

You probably have organizations/nonprofits that would love your help to cater to this age group - libraries, the YMCA, local art centers, etc. All of those groups in our small town have some sort of programs for kids and would welcome the help and ideas.

I volunteer with our local Boys and Girls Club and nationally they have a lot of great programs for middle school kids that you could look at. Ours has their own building, but I know they run through schools in lots of areas as after school/ schools out type programs.

Boys and Girls Club Programs

The thing with middle schoolers is, that is has to be cool:)