Background

Our initial interventions established after-school programs in several Newark public elementary schools, including McKinley and Alma E. Flagg. Vacamas works with youth ages 7 to 13, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., five days a week during the academic year.

Philosophy & Goals

Vacamas' Mission is to offer an After-School Program with the following fundamental elements:

• Responsible supervision: Students are divided into small groups based on grade level in order to ensure a positive learning environment. The Vacamas After-School staff works together with the individual school employees to provide the necessary space for an enriching after-school program experience.
• Safe, structured environment for after-school programming: Our programs provide a safe haven for youngster during the critical hours of 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Our school-based staff are responsible for daily attendance, collaborating with school staff, social guidance, and the implementation of quality after-school programs.
• Academically enriching program featuring alternative or non traditional activities: In addition to offering traditional homework help assistance, our philosophy is to reach beyond the ordinary classroom and develop alternative measures of learning.

Vacamas offers a myriad of alternative activities providing students with an opportunity to learn from a non-traditional curriculum, including:

• Fitness programs
• Outdoor initiatives to our Camp facility in West Milford, NJ
• Robotics program introducing students to the world of technology
• Middle School Model United Nations at William Paterson University
• Poetry projects at the NJPAC Center in downtown Newark
• And much more.

For more information about Vacamas After-School programs, please contact our Education Director at 862-226-2674 or by e-mail: educationdir@vacamas.org.

QUESTIONS?

You can contact us at any time if you have questions about our camps, our programs, donations or anything else.