Geneva parks after-school care adds 6th-graders

The Geneva Park District is expanding its Kids’ Zone after-school care program again to a new age group.

Starting this fall, sixth-graders can participate in The Zone, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. weekdays. Unlike the elementary programs that take place at schools, The Zone will be at Peck Farm Park and the Persinger Recreation Center.

They are making it like a teen center, according to program director Stacey Fedyski. There will be time and resources available for doing homework, but there will also be games such as foosball, Wii tournaments and time in the Persinger gymnasium.

Community feedback accounts for expansion of the program.

“There are a lot of kids that have grown” with the program, which has been offered for three years, Fedyski said. “We’re just happy to serve the community’s need.”

In the 2010-11 school year, it added KinderZone to the list, a program for kindergartners. About 325 children participated in KinderZone and Kids’ Zone. “It has definitely grown each year,” she said. If there is interest in adding seventh grade, the district will consider it, she said.

The cost is $115 per month to attend three days a week, or $180 to attend five days a week. There is a $35 registration fee.

Transportation from Geneva Middle Schools North and South will be provided. Children who attend private schools are eligible, but would have to provide their own transportation to the program.

Registration forms are available online at genevaparks.org and at the Geneva Community Center, 710 Western Ave. For more information, call (630) 232-4542.