Youth Services
Central Ohio Area Services Youth Services Information
After School & Summer Learning Centers
Serving Students in Grades K-5 | Franklin County
Our Impact
- 44 students served in a safe and nurturing environment
- 91% improved math scores
- 95% improved reading scores
- 8 in 10 students improved homework completion and class participation
- 85% of students were performing below grade level upon enrollment
Our goal is not only to improve academic outcomes, but to create safe, thriving environments where students grow intellectually, creatively, socially, and emotionally.
After School Program
Monday-Friday | 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Our Learning Centers provide:
- Student assessments and individualized academic plans
- Targeted academic intervention in math and literacy
- Homework help
- Small group and individualized instruction
- Creative enrichment including arts & crafts, music, and dance
- Social-emotional learning focused on whole-child development
- Physical wellness activities
- Service learning integrated into weekly and daily lessons
- Nutritious dinner provided by Children’s Hunger Alliance
- A safe and structured environment during critical after school hours
We are committed to reinforcing and extending the work teachers are doing during the school day by providing intentional academic support in a nurturing setting.
Summer Learning Program
9-week Central Day Camp | Monday-Friday |
8:30 am - 3:00 pm Our summer program is an extension of our after school model and includes:
- Continued academic intervention and literacy support
- Math enrichment
- Creative arts, music, movement, and hands-on learning
- Outdoor recreation and physical wellness
- Weekly service learning components
- Engaging field trips and community partnerships (In the past, students have visited organizations such as COSI and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
- Nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack
- A safe, affordable, and enriching camp experience serving students from across Columbus
We partner with Columbus-based organizations and companies to provide high-quality experiences while keeping camp accessible and affordable for families.
Camp SWONEKY Residential Summer Camp
The Salvation Army sends local children to Camp SWONEKY which is located on a 200-acre site in Oregonia, OH just off of I-71 at exit 36. It is approximately 35 miles north of Cincinnati, 40 miles south of Dayton, and 70 miles southwest of Columbus.
Camp SWONEKY offers swimming, boating, fishing, crafts, a 9-hole disc golf course, a nature center, a horse corral, hiking trails, music, crafts, basketball/volleyball courts, and baseball/softball fields, a campfire amphitheater, and Bible studies; with a focus on faith, fun, family, and friendship.
Each year, Camp SWONEKY serves thousands of campers ages 7 to 12; each camp week runs 7 days. For more information about Camp SWONEKY please visit their website. Registration usually begins in March.
Helping More Kids Learn, Grow, and Thrive
After School programs have been proven to foster social and academic development as programs provide safe and structured environments for kids during after-school hours, oftentimes filling the space between the end of the school day and when parents return from work.
We know that every parent wants the best for their child’s future. Sometimes, in a world filled with distractions and challenges, finding the right support system can make all the difference. From homework assistance and tutoring to encouraging higher grades and boosting motivation to team-building activities and cooperative learning experiences that help develop essential social skills, our after-school programs are designed to empower kids to unlock their potential and thrive.
For more information, please contact:
Jasmine Spitzer
Learning Center Director
(614) 221-6561
Jasmine.Spitzer@use.salvationarmy.org
Stats
24,644
Children were served through our youth programs in 2025.
3,368
Academic enrichment hours provided for students last year.
93%
Of students increased their reading scores, and 92% increased their math scores.
Invest in a Child’s Future
Your support helps children across Central Ohio access safe, supportive spaces where they can learn, grow, and thrive.
Through The Salvation Army’s After School and Summer Learning programs, children receive academic support, nutritious meals, enrichment opportunities, mentorship, and a safe place to belong.
Every gift helps remove barriers, strengthen families, and create brighter futures for the children we serve.
Other Services
