Rec Check

What is Rec Check?

Rec Check is a free after-school program for youth in grades 1–5 provided at the recreation centers listed below. Rec Check is open for youth who live or attend school in Saint Paul. 

When is it held?

 Rec Check will run weekdays starting September 14, 2020 from 2 - 6 p.m. on days when Saint Paul Public Schools have classes in session. 

What's offered?

Children participate in a variety of structured, supervised activities that are recreation focused.  These may include arts and crafts, community building games, quiet time, and more. To promote health and fitness, staff will engage the youth daily in physical activity. A daily snack is also provided.

How do I register?

Phone registration will be available by calling the recreation center directly on weekdays from noon - 3 p.m. starting Monday, August 24, 2020. You may also register online. Rec Check will now be session based, meaning participants can only register one month at a time. Participants will also be required to register for the specific days that they wish to attend. Rec Check enrollment will be limited to 28-30 youth per site with a 1:14 staff to participant ratio. Registration is taken on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Register for Rec Check

What is the process for checking participants in and out?

• Weather permitting, all check in/out procedures will be done outside.  
• Only participants and staff will be allowed inside the programming space. No exceptions. 
• Parents are only allowed in the designated check in/out area.  
• Parents who wish to pick up their participant early may do so at the designated pickup area. Please call the site prior to your arrival so staff can help prepare your child for pick up.  

What additional adjustments, expectations and requirements will be in place?

• Saint Paul Parks and Recreation will be following all CDC and MN Department of Health guidelines for youth programs. 
• Effective Nov. 23, all participants are required to wear a face covering. A limited number of masks are available for those in need or forget.
• Participants will be in groups of up to 14 participants with one staff member.
  • The groups will be the same each day and mixing of groups will be restricted. 
• Activities with limited or no physical contact will be emphasized.  
• Large group gatherings will be avoided.
• Equipment and touch points will be wiped down on a routine basis throughout the day. 
• In accordance with MN Department of Health guidelines for youth programs, participants will be expected to:
  • Stay with their assigned group.
  • Maintain 6ft physical distancing whenever possible.
  • Wear a cloth mask when social distancing is not possible.
  • Wash hands frequently. 
  • Cough or sneeze into their elbow or a clean tissue. 
  • Stay home if they are sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, such as coughing, sneezing or shortness of breath.

What should participants bring with them to Rec Check each day?

• Backpack 
• Cloth mask 
• Reusable water bottle 

How will I know if my child attends or not?

Youth are required to check in with Rec Check staff upon arrival and departure. Parents can request to be notified when their child does not check in.

After School Transportation

A change in Minnesota law now allows Saint Paul Public Schools to transport children to two of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation's youth programs, Rec Check and S'more Fun.

• The recreation center attended must be within the attendance area or transportation area of the school attended and must be more than one mile of walking distance from school.
• An application for childcare transportation must be completed if the student is attending a recreation center program that is more than one mile from the school but the student's residence is less than one mile from school.
• Transportation to Saint Paul Parks & Recreation youth programs must be arranged through the school that the child attends. The application form is available from the school office or the SPPS Transportation Department website.
• Transportation to any students' residence from Rec Check or S'more Fun is not provided.

Where is Rec Check held?

Why is my favorite recreation center not on this list?

Some recreation centers are not holding Rec Check this year due to limited space and staff availability. Additionally, Highland Park Community Center, Northwest Como, Groveland, and Battle Creek recreation centers offer full-day S'more Fun childcare programs.