EDGE Programs
Excellence, Discovery and Growth through Education
The Excellence, Discovery, and Growth through Education (EDGE) program offers an environment for academic enrichment, social-emotional development, positive peer and adult relationships, as well as the exploration and exposure to new skills, ideas, and activities designed to support healthy youth development. This out-of-school time program is a safe and engaging place for youth in kindergarten through 12th grade to participate in afterschool and summer day camp activities.
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Afterschool Program
Our EDGE Afterschool program is offered during the academic school year, generally from the beginning of August through the end of May.
Programming is available to students attending the following Indianapolis Public Schools:
- Brookside Elementary School
- URBAN ACT Academy (formerly Washington Irving Elementary)
- Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School
- Arsenal Technical High School
The program is offered onsite at each of the school locations, 4-5 days per week right immediately after school dismissal.
The fee covers the cost of daily programming. Full and partial scholarships are available. Scholarships are limited, but we strive to ensure that ALL interested youth are able to attend EDGE Afterschool Program.
Our staff will be happy to talk with you if you have concerns or questions about fees.
Daily Program Structure
Community Time
Structured time to welcome youth, provide snack, make announcements, recognize student excellence, and allow positive interpersonal time among peers and program staff.
Homework Help / Academic Centers
Youth are separated into small groups based upon their grade level and academic needs. Qualified staff members and volunteers work with youth individually and in small groups to provide homework assistance and individual guidance for youth working on an academic center.
Enrichment Activities
Youth select an enrichment activity based on their academic needs and the program’s activity rotation schedule.
Enrichment activity topics include Health & Wellness; STEM; Literacy; Creative Arts; Social-emotional Health; and more.
Youth Choice
Youth Choice is a time for students to participate in an activity they enjoy, regardless of their academic achievement in the subject area.
Examples include board games, physical recreation games, science experiments, service learning, and other activities that expose youth to new skills and ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Elementary Programs (K-6)
Currently, these programs are at capacity. Contact us if you are interested in being added to our waiting list.
Secondary Programs (Grades 7-8)
Interested families must fill out a Registration Application and Parent Packet. If you submit a registration form it does not guarantee the student a spot in the program. If the programs are full, students that have submitted a registration form will be added to the waitlist.
Registration is based on a first come, first served basis.
If there is availability at your school site, once we receive your completed registration form, a staff member will contact you with additional details and information required to finalize your child’s enrollment.
If the program at your school site is full, an EDGE staff member will reach out to let you know your child has been placed on the waitlist. Students on the waitlist will be added as additional program slots become available.
What are the COVID-19 health and safety program requirements?
EDGE is currently following CDC COVID-19 guidelines to keep students and staff healthy and safe.
GUIDELINES/REQUIREMENTS
- All students and staff will be required to wear a face mask at all times during EDGE programming. Students may take off their face mask during specific break and meal times, as told by their youth worker.
- Students and youth workers will be required to stay home for a 14-day self-quarantine period if they answer a “yes” to any question on the questionnaire at the beginning or end of the day OR have a temperature in fever range.
- Students and staff may return to in-person activities once the 14-day period is over AND with a doctor’s note of clearance.
- Youth workers and students will need to provide their own masks. If a student does not have one, we will provide one.
- Students will need to label their mask with their name in permanent marker.
- Parents should wear a mask at all times, especially during drop-off and pick-up.
- Students will be required to wear their mask on JBNC transportation and follow social distancing guidelines
Review our full EDGE Health & Safety Disclosures
What happens if a student shows signs and symptoms of COVID-19 on site?
If a student shows signs of COVID-19 symptoms while at EDGE, program staff will take the following actions:
- Maintain a distance of 10 feet from the student while taking the student to an “isolation room” – a room where social distancing can be maintained and away from other students, to stop the spread of the virus.
- A staff member will go through a questionnaire of signs and symptoms of the virus with the student. If the student states “yes” to 2 or more of the questions, the student’s parents/caregivers will be contacted and asked to come and pick up the student.
- If the student has siblings in the program, they will also be requested to be picked up and will follow the steps stated above.
- Youth workers will immediately sanitize and disinfect the area where the student was for programming; and move students to another unoccupied area, if possible.
*A student will never be left alone in the isolation room, but will have the company of a staff member who will keep a 10-foot distance at all times.
Review our full EDGE COVID-19 Response
After my child shows signs and symptoms of COVID-19, what are my options?
If your child was set home for showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 while at an EDGE site, you will have to fill out the Return to EDGE Document and choose to follow one of these options:
- Option 1: Provide a Negative COVID-19 test results or doctor’s note stating your child does not have COVID-19. A student and siblings can return after symptoms are not longer being experienced.
- Option 2: Quarantine for 10 days and return to EDGE after the quarantine is completed or symptoms have subsided.
- Option 3: If a student gets tested and the result is positive, the student must quarantine for 14 days. Pending exposure, EDGE will consider potential closure for 14 days.
Enroll your child in a fun and safe afterschool program.
Summer Camp
Our EDGE Summer Camps are an academic-based, engaging learning opportunity for youth to participate in during the summer months.
Boneroo Summer Camp: Youth entering 1st through 5th grade (2023-2024 School Year)
Kinetic Summer Camp: Youth entering grades 6th through 9th (2023-2024 School Year)
2023 Camp Dates: June 12 - July 21
Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Program Details
Location
Our Boneroo Camp (1st – 5th grade) will be announced soon.
Our Kinetic Summer Camp (6th – 9th grade) will be announced soon.
Families will drop off and pick up all campers at the designated camp location.
Fees
Camp fee is $75 per week or $450 for the entire summer. The fee covers the cost of daily breakfast, lunch, and snack; a camp shirt; weekly field trips; overnight camp trip; and weekly swimming.
All students enrolled in our EDGE Afterschool program receive a discounted rate of $25 per week.
Scholarships are available and based on need. Scholarships are limited; but we strive to ensure that ALL interested youth are able to attend EDGE Summer Camps.
Our staff will be happy to talk with you if you have concerns or questions about camp fees.
Daily Activities
Our camps expose youth to new activities and ideas while helping them discover their strengths, interests, and future possibilities.
We focus on giving youth the opportunity to be active, while also incorporating healthy eating activities, like culinary classes and gardening. We build community by singing camp songs, epic “roshambo” battles, or ending the day with group reflections. We have weekly field trips to introduce youth to new experiences and environments.
Overnight Trip
One of our favorite experiences for our older campers is a 3 day, 2 night overnight camping trip!
Through this trip, we encourage youth to step out of their comfort zone and challenge them with new situations in nature. During these trips, most youth build confidence while they discover new skills and interests that are different from any of their previous experiences.
Enroll your child in a fun and safe camp program.
Summer Camp Employment
Do you want to work in a fun atmosphere where you can earn money and leadership skills? We have a job for you!
We offer several opportunities for youth in high school and young adults to learn and hone their leadership skills in a fun and engaging atmosphere.
PACT Counselor
- Have at least completed 9th grade
- Must currently be in high school to apply, or be a 2023 graduate from high school
- Serve as junior counselors in our summer day camps
- Participate in post-secondary readiness activities and workshops throughout the summer.
- Should be energetic leaders
- Should have a desire to serve the community and continue to learn and grow.
- Learn more about the PACT Program.
Lead Counselor
- Must have at least one year of post-secondary work or school experience
- Should be energetic leaders
- Should have an interest in working with elementary or secondary youth
- Should have the ability and desire to mentor high school junior counselors.
- Candidates must be vaccinated against COVID-19
Assistant Director
- Must have at least one year of post-secondary work or school experience
- Should be energetic leaders who are prepared to help manage, plan, and create all aspects of camp in unforeseen circumstances
- Should have an interest in working with elementary, secondary youth, and colleges students
- Should have the ability and desire to mentor
- Must be able to work flexible hours
- Candidates must be vaccinated against COVID-19
