Children and young people need opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, discover new interests, build relationships, stay active, and develop confidence.
SSA's Children & Youth Programs provide educational, developmental,
recreational, and social experiences for children and youth in Spokane and surrounding
communities.
Activities vary throughout the year based on age, community interest, partnerships, funding, and available resources.
Learning Through Experience
We believe some of the most memorable learning happens through doing.
SSA develops activities that combine education with hands-on experiences, exploration, creativity, recreation, and interaction with others.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can become much more engaging when
children have opportunities to experiment, build, explore, and solve problems themselves.
SSA organizes STEM and other educational activities designed to encourage curiosity,
creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, confidence, communication, and exploration of new
interests.
Activities may be offered directly by SSA or in partnership with educational and community organizations.
Play & Learn
Young children learn through play, interaction, movement, and exploration.
SSA's Play & Learn activities create opportunities for young children and their
parents or caregivers to participate together in age-appropriate educational, recreational, and
social experiences.
Activities may support:
Early learning
Social interaction
Parent-child engagement
Movement and play
Exploration
Family connection
Program schedules and age requirements may vary by activity.
Recreation Is Part of Development
Not every valuable experience needs to happen in a classroom.
Recreational activities give children opportunities to stay active, try something new,
interact with peers, and develop confidence. SSA may organize activities such as roller
skating, outdoor recreation, games, community outings, field trips, seasonal activities,
and family recreation.
These experiences can support physical activity, social development, confidence, and positive relationships.
Building Social & Emotional Skills
Educational success involves more than academic knowledge.
Through group activities and shared experiences, children and youth can practice:
Communication
Teamwork
Confidence
Responsibility
Problem-solving
Respect for others
Trying unfamiliar activities
Building positive relationships
These skills can help young people at school, at home, and throughout their future.
Opportunities for Different Ages
SSA serves children and youth through different activities rather than one fixed program model.
Age ranges, eligibility, group sizes, registration requirements, and schedules depend on the individual activity.
Some programs may be designed for young children together with parents or caregivers, while others may be designed for school-age children or teenagers.
As SSA grows, additional youth opportunities may be developed based on community interest and available resources.
Programs grow through partnership
Programs Grow Through Partnership
SSA works with schools, businesses, nonprofits, recreational facilities, educators,
professionals, volunteers, funders, and other community partners to expand opportunities
available to children and youth.
A workshop can introduce a new interest. A field trip can introduce a new place. A recreational
activity can build confidence. A group experience can create a new friendship. Small experiences
can have lasting impact.
