Bend Park and Recreation District offers a variety of youth recreation programs throughout the year to meet the needs of busy households while providing fun, enriching activities to fill your child’s day.

Kids Inc. 2024-25 school year applications open May 6 – 17

Get ready for the upcoming school year. Read on for program details and mark your calendar for the Kids Inc. application period, May 6 – 17, 2024.

Current Kids Inc. participants will receive an email reminder prior.

KIDS INC | Grades: K – 5

Kids Inc. is an afterschool recreation and enrichment program designed to offer opportunities to build children’s social, academic and physical skills through art, STEM and active play.

Participants are grouped by grade and will have the opportunity to grow and learn with their peers in age appropriate activities such as group games, outdoor play, art and STEM.

The Kids Inc. application period for the 2024-25 school year is May 6 – 17, 2024.  A lottery will be used to determine selection and waitlist status.

Families who apply for positions during the initial application period that ends May 17, 2024 but do not received spots are first on the waitlist based on their lottery position.

Waitlist position for applications received after the May 17, 2024 deadline will be determined by the order that applications are received.

School Sites: All Bend elementary schools except Amity Creek and Westside Village.

Dates: Kids Inc. is offered every day that school is in session.

Time: Afterschool – 5:30 p.m.

Part-time options are available: M/W or T/Th/F

2024-25 fee: $265.00 per month per child for full-time | $135.00 per child per month for part-time

Auto-billing: Available for monthly payments. Learn how to enroll.

Scholarships: BPRD scholarships may be available for qualifying families. Scholarship applications are available at bendparksandrec.org/activities/scholarships/

Waitlists & Openings: Openings offered to people on waitlists. If you are interested in Kids Inc., please sign up on the waitlist for your child’s school.

Questions? Contact our staff.

Shalee Hanks-Mink
Youth Recreation Supervisor
Email Shalee Hanks-Mink

Kids Inc. Frequently Asked Questions:

Updated: April 4, 2024

What are the monthly payment options? Is automatic payment available?

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance your experience with Kids Inc., we’re excited to introduce a new auto-billing feature. This initiative is designed to streamline your monthly payments and to give you confidence that your child’s enrollment stays up-to-date. You’ll no longer need to remember to make monthly payments.

What is auto-billing? Auto-billing allows you to sign up for automatic monthly payments for your Kids Inc. enrollment. By opting in, you authorize Bend Park and Recreation District to charge the monthly payment from your securely tokenized credit/debit card.

Find instructions for setting up auto-billing here.

Want to make manual payments? That’s fine too! Look for your reminder email and just make your payment online before the first of each month.

Are part-time options available?

Yes. For the 2024-25 school year, we will offer limited part-time options.

Part-time schedules are M/W or T/Th/F and will be assigned as a part of the lottery.

Participants selected for part-time spots will have an option to move to full-time when spaces become available. This may occur prior to the start of the school year or any time during the school year.

Are siblings considered when selecting participants?

Yes. The lottery process is conducted by household, so siblings will be considered as one in the process.

Why can’t you increase enrollment to meet demand?

We know that childcare needs are great in Bend and we do all we can as the largest provider of afterschool care for school-aged children. We will continually monitor the program and add additional spaces whenever possible. By adding part-time options, we are able to support more families with some receiving partial days of the week.

Are scholarships available?

BPRD scholarships may be available for qualifying families. Scholarship applications are available at www.bendparksandrec.org/activities/scholarships/.

What experience is required for Kids Inc. staff?

BPRD welcomes applicants with experience with elementary school-aged children and desiring a fulfilling job. We believe in Play for Life and we are willing to train others who share our passion for serving the community. We encourage everyone to consider friends or family members who might be interested and available to join one of the community’s largest childcare providers at a time when Bend needs every childcare option available.

Volunteer experience as well as paid work with children is considered when hiring. BPRD offers hands-on training in facilitating enrichment activities, behavior management and leading group games and help new staff gain confidence in their skills.

View positions at: www.bendparksandrec.org/jobs.

Bend Park and Recreation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

What are the scholarships available for Kids Inc. employees?

BPRD is teaming up with education partners to provide area students new scholarship and employment opportunities for youth recreation leaders.

Scholarships for college students ($5,000+) and paid internships for high school juniors and seniors offer relevant, real-world experience and help enable BPRD to be staffed to successfully serve the community with Kids Inc. Visit the Youth Recreation Leader webpage for details.

a kid and instructor in a childcare class in Bend.

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Kids’ Corner at Juniper Swim & Fitness

Childcare at Juniper for ages 6-months to 6-years has received some updates and is back in action.

So, what’s new? The biggest change is that registration is now available so that parents and guardians can secure childcare on certain days and times with confidence and regularity.

And to make those childcare services match up nicely with your workout, there are well-coordinated fitness class offerings, lap swim sessions and open fitness center hours at similar regular schedules.

What’s not new? Kids’ Corner Childcare will still be the safe and nurturing environment for your young child while you enjoy all that Juniper has to offer. Participants at Kids’ Corner will enjoy arts and crafts, reading, creative play and cooperative games while you swim, workout or just relax.

Kids' Corner Details

Here’s the scoop for Kids’ Corner:

  • Registration is strongly recommended.
  • Registration includes four weekly scheduled 75-minute visits per session at discounted rate.
  • Each visit is limited to 75 minutes. Sorry, no discount for less time.
  • Drop-ins welcome; space permitting.
  • Childcare hours: M-F from 9:00 to 10:15 am and 10:20 to 11:35 am.

Registration Childcare

  • TODDLER – Ages: 6 – 29 months. Limited availability.
  • PRESCHOOL – Ages: 30 months – 5 years old.
  • Days/Times: M-F: 9:00 – 10:15 am – OR – 10:20 – 11:35 am
  • Sessions are three-, four- or five-weeks per month. Fee is adjusted for three or five visit sessions.
  • Learn more and register.

Drop-in Childcare

  • TODDLER – Ages: 6 – 29 months. Limited availability.
  • PRESCHOOLER – Ages: 30 months – 5 years old.
  • 75 minutes maximum.
  • Days/Times: M-F: 9:00 – 10:15 am – OR – 10:20 – 11:35 am
  • Check availability of space.

Sync up to Adult Fitness Classes

To make those childcare services match up nicely with your workout, there are well-coordinated fitness class offerings, lap swim sessions and open fitness center hours at similar regular schedules

View Juniper’s schedule.

For additional information, contact:

Leigh Lehman
Enrichment and Senior Social Supervisor

Operation Recreation – School Year | Grades: K – 5

No School Days program at Lava Ridge Elementary School.

Operation Recreation meets the needs of the working parent and the fun seeking child! This program operates on non-school days for kindergarten through 5th grade. Children enjoy a variety of enrichment activities and daily field trips. Learn more and register.

Operation Recreation – Summer | Ages: 6 – 8

Registration for summer opens in March.

Operation Recreation meets the needs of the working parent and the fun seeking child! This program operates on summer weekdays for ages 6 to 8 years old. Children enjoy a variety of enrichment activities and daily field trips. Learn more and register.

Program Information

Location: Locations vary by year, view at Activity link below.

Dates: mid-June through late August

Activity: Operation Recreation

Standard Week: Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Extended Care Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

Questions? Contact our staff.

Shalee Hanks-Mink
Youth Recreation Supervisor

Email Shalee Hanks-Mink

The PAC at The Pavilion | Ages: 9 – 12

Summer registration is open. Click the activity link below for 2024 program details.

During the summer, the PAC takes over The Pavilion – Bend’s most exciting recreation center! Each day is different as you get to choose what you want to do!  There are always awesome choices whether you want to “play hard or chill out.”

We’re talking sports, water play, cool art projects, outdoor adventures, your favorite games and just hanging out with friends, both old and new. PAC participants will even get to create activities and special events! Learn more on the PAC Summer Camp webpage.

Dates: mid-June – end of August

Activity: The PAC

Standard Week: Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Extended Care Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

Questions? Contact our staff.

Shalee Hanks-Mink
Youth Recreation Supervisor
Email Shalee Hanks-Mink

Busy Buddies Preschool | Ages: 3 – 5

Typically held during school year months. Includes weekly swim lessons and yoga movement!

Busy Buddies Preschool, for children ages 3-5, is designed to encourage the development of social skill and a positive self–esteem through a variety of fun, creative and healthy activities. In a small group setting, children will enjoy arts and crafts, dramatic play, show and tell, circle time and more. Basic educational concepts are introduced such as a numbers, letters, phonics and more.  Learn more and register.

Program Information

Note: No prior swimming experience necessary. Children must be fully potty-trained to attend this program.

A $20 non-refundable registration fee is due at the time of enrollment.

Location: Juniper Swim & Fitness Center

Activity: 405601

Days & Times: Classes are offered Mondays/Wednesdays OR Tuesdays/Thursdays from 1:30 – 4:30 pm.

Dates: Sept. – June

For additional information, contact:

Leigh Lehman
Enrichment and Senior Social Supervisor

Summer Buddies | Ages: 3 – 5

Includes daily swimming!  

Join Summer Buddies for the best summer ever! Children will enjoy afternoons swimming, outdoor games, arts and crafts and more! Summer Buddies is a great boost before Preschool or Kindergarten!  Learn more and register.

Program Information

Note: No prior swimming experience necessary. Children must be fully potty trained to attend this program.

Location: Juniper Swim & Fitness Center

Activity: 205600

Days: Afternoons on Mondays/Wednesdays OR Tuesdays/Thursdays

For additional information, contact:

Leigh Lehman
Enrichment and Senior Social Supervisor

Youth & Teen Enrichment | Ages: 6 – 17

Check our current offerings in: Youth Enrichment

Whether your child is looking for an adventure or an opportunity to learn new skills our enrichment programs are as varied as the youth we serve. Depending upon your child’s age they may choose from Art, Martial Arts, Language Arts, Music, Science, Cooking, Baking or Do-It-Yourself.

For teens, we provide opportunities for challenge, adventure and exploration in a safe, guided environment. Depending upon your teen’s age they may choose from Rock Climbing, Skateboarding, Cooking, Art or more.