With school in full swing, most of DCAC’s Youth Clubs have wrapped up their time together. Art, Adventure Kids, and Boys clubs all took place weekly for 8 weeks throughout the summer. Garden Club runs through October but has shifted to bi-weekly gatherings now that school started. Approximately 45 kids participated across the various clubs.
Members of the DCAC Community Outreach Team, which runs the clubs, said it was a phenomenal summer.
“There were so many highlights, including parents recommending our clubs to other parents,” said Christa Summers, Director of the Outreach Team. “These groups have created a wonderful sense of community.”
DCAC’s Outreach Team offers clubs as welcoming, safe places for clients and community members to connect, learn, and grow.
Summer of 2025 Art Club
Summer Art Club kicked off with an annual paint fight and concluded with an art exhibition. A consistent number of kids participated in Art Group this summer, a testament to the variety and quality of the activities. Parents donated snacks as a way to say “thank you,” and parents and kids alike are looking forward to our fall session.
Marlen Montanez, who leads DCAC’s Art Group stated: “Parents shared that they appreciate that the staff is always so kind and patient with their children. One mother said her child always looks forward to Art Group and is so happy when leaving.”
The next Art Group, which takes place throughout the year, kicks off in September.
Summer of 2025 Adventure Kids Club
This summer’s highlight for Adventure Kids Club was a field trip to the Downtown Aquarium.
“It was highly requested last year, and although we tried to make it happen, it didn’t work out, but we made it happen this year,” said Julia Urbina, Adventure Kids leader.
The Adventure Kids Club attendees also enjoyed the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, a Colorado Rockies baseball game, and an epic competition that involved putting creativity and problem-solving skills to the test with an egg drop challenge.
Summer of 2025 Boys Group
Offered for the first time this summer, Boys Group gave boys ages 8-14 the opportunity to build confidence and learn new skills. Activities included fire making, nature skills, podcasting, and discussions about how humans interact with the environment. The highlight of Boys Group this summer was the Colorado Rapids holding a soccer clinic for all children participating in the DCAC clubs.
Summer of 2025 Garden Club
Planting Day was May 12th, and kids as young as 4 years old helped tend to the garden all summer long. The club members will continue to enjoy harvesting their produce through October.
“Kids really enjoy the connection of healthy foods to the garden,” said Katt Lovejoy, the Garden Club lead. “Their favorite part of the garden is being in it and taking care of it—weeding, watering, feeding the plants, but mostly harvesting!”
Several kids who participated in Garden Club in previous years returned again this year.
“It’s such a wonderful way for kids to build connection and confidence,” Lovejoy said. “Kids who have had a hard time at school are feeling more comfortable in the club and finding their place.”
Youth Clubs This Fall and Beyond
The DCAC Outreach Team plans to continue offering Art Club throughout the year and Adventure Kids, Boys Club, and Garden Club next summer.
Summers shared: “Our clubs offer a great way for us to connect with the community and help them become familiar with what DCAC does while having fun. We’re excited to continue to grow our outreach and clubs every year.”
Learn more about each club in our Youth Clubs Gearing Up for Summer post.