Recreation, Summer & After School
For Pre-K and Daycare options, also go here.
After School
Boys and Girls Club
Portland Clubhouse offers after-school programs for children ages 7-18. The Clubhouse provides a safe environment for youth to spend their out of school time. With an annual membership to Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, members can enjoy the learning center for homework assistance, the art room to be creative, get active in the Club’s gymnasium, cool off in the swimming pool and enjoy a nutritious snack or meal every day. $5 per year. No boy or girl is turned away if unable to pay the fee.
The Telling Room – Young Writers & Leaders Program
207-774-6064
Free afterschool literary arts program for international multilingual high school students
Intercultural Community Center Power School< 36 Patrick Drive, Westbrook 207-854-9700
After school programs designed to address specific needs of refugee, immigrant, and asylee families for children grades 3 to 8.
Summer
Portland Schools Multi-Lingual Office
150 Ocean Avenue
207-874-8135
The Multilingual Summer Program is a 4-week summer school for English Language Learners in Middle and High School. They meet for 4 hours a day, 4 days a week.
YMCA – Summer Camp Programs
207-874-1111
Summer camp programs with financial assistance – also take State subsidies and vouchers
Intercultural Community Center Power School
36 Patrick Drive, Westbrook
207-854-9700
Summer programs designed to address specific needs of refugee, immigrant, and asylee families for children grades 3 to 8.
SailMaine has a range of junior sailing lessons for ages 5-17. Though their website lists fees and says they are sold out, they have reserved some free spots for Welcoming the Stranger families. Just mention that your family is associated with Welcoming the Stranger. SailMaine will bend over backwards to accommodate new Mainers.
Apex Youth Connection in Biddeford offers week-long sessions for the summer, and families can choose any or all of those weeks to participate in. Programs cost $100 a week, but financial assistance is available for families who need it.
Recreation
Playgroup at the Westbrook Hub, 13 Reserve St. – Fridays 10:30-11:30. For parents/caregivers and babies 0-36 months old.
Portland Recreation offers before and after rec care for elementary aged children that takes place at the school. There are a limited number of fee waiver spots and they fill up quickly. More information can be found here, and you can register here.
Scholarship memberships are available for families receiving public assistance and/or with compelling personal circumstances. Scholarship memberships and admissions passes are free of charge for those who qualify. The scholarship membership enables a family to visit as many times per year as they wish. There are also two other low-cost opportunities that might interest you if you have families with young children:
$2 admission/person on First Fridays
$3 admission/person for anyone with an EBT card
Greenlight Studio
Playspace for kids. Also has a small cafe/seating for parents, etc.
Children’s Museum
Lots of opportunities for running and play and exploration. Is a little expensive.
EVO Fitness
Climbing gym. Very close to Westbrook.
Joker’s
In Westbrook. Slide, bounce house and big “tube system” as well as a lot of video games.
The Westbrook library
Has a fun place inside for kids to play, too.
Urban Air Trampoline Park
South Portland, near Home Depot. There are foam pits, obstacle courses, tubes and, shockingly enough, trampolines.