About Rec Check

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation offers after-school and other out-of-school time care for youth at multiple recreation centers across the City. Rec Check programs are open for youth who live or attend school in Saint Paul. Children participate in a variety of structured, supervised activities that are recreation-focused. These may include arts and crafts, community-building games, quiet time, homework help (during the school year), and more. To promote health and fitness, staff will engage the youth daily in physical activity. A daily snack is also provided.

Rec Check Program Overview

Rec Check Handbook 2023-24 Rec Check Calendar  *2024-25 calendar coming soon

Program
Grades
Days
Saint Paul Public Schools is...
Times
Price
School Year Rec CheckGrades 1-5 (currently enrolled school-year)Mon - Fri in session, on break, or snow day2 - 6 p.m.Free
*No Rec Check offered on holidays--see full list of dates below
Rec Check ExtendedGrades 1-5 (currently enrolled school-year)Varieson MEA, Winter Break & Spring Break8:30 a.m. -5 p.m $10/day
Summer Rec CheckEntering grades 1-6 (in the upcoming fall)Mon - Thuon Summer Break1 - 4 p.m. Free

Registration Information

Registration is available online or over the phone by calling the recreation center directly. A list of sites and contact information is available below. 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-serve basis. 

2024-25 School-Year Rec Check

Registration for school-year Rec Check opens Monday, August 5 at 9am. Registrations are accepted on a rolling basis. You can register online at anytime or contact the location you wish to register for more information. 

  • Cost: Free
  • Grades: 1-5
  • Days: Monday - Friday
    • September 3, 2024 - June 10, 2025
    • No care on November 5* (see select sites below), 11, 28, 29, December 24, 25, January 1, 20, February 17, April 18 or May 26
      • *Nov 5 (Election Day): The following sites will not offer Rec Check: 
        • Arlington Hills 
        • Dayton’s Bluff 
        • Duluth and Case 
        • Edgcumbe 
        • El Rio Vista
        • Groveland
        • Highland Park
        • Hancock 
        • Hayden Heights
        • Hazel Park
        • Jimmy Lee/Oxford
        • Langford Park
        • Linwood 
        • Martin Luther King
        • Merriam Park
        • North Dale
        • Palace
  • Times: 
    • 2pm-6pm (**New for 2024-25 School Year: Rec Check will always be offered from 2-6pm regardless of whether Saint Paul Public Schools is in session or not)
  • Locations (centers with a * are also Rec Check Extended sites):
    • Arlington Hills
    • Battle Creek
    • Dayton's Bluff  
    • Duluth & Case
    • Edgcumbe*
    • El Rio Vista
    • Frogtown
    • Hancock 
    • Hayden Heights
    • Hazel Park*
    • Highwood Hills 
    • Jimmy Lee/Oxford
    • Langford Park
    • Linwood
    • Martin Luther King
    • McDonough
    • Merriam Park
    • North Dale*  
    • Palace  
    • Phalen 
    • Rice 
    • West Minnehaha
    • Wilder

Registration

Register online or call or visit one of the locations above for more information.

2024-25 Rec Check Extended

Rec Check Extended offers full day care on select days Saint Paul Public Schools is not in session. Please note that these sites only offer the Extended care during these select school breaks and will offer our regularly scheduled after-school Rec Check times on days SPPS is in session. 

  • Cost: $10/day
  • Grades: 1-5
  • Days: Monday - Friday
  • Times: 8:30am-5pm
  • Dates:
    • October 17-18 (MEA Break)
    • December 23, 26, 27, 30, 31 (Winter Break)
    • January 2-3 (Winter Break)
    • March 31-April 4 (Spring Break)
  • Locations: 
    • Edgcumbe
    • Hazel Park
    • North Dale

Rec Check Extended Registration

Register online or call or visit one of the locations above for more information.

2024 Summer Rec Check

  • Cost: Free
  • Grades: 1-5
  • Days: Monday - Thursday
    • June 17 - August 22
    • No Rec Check on June 19 or July 4-5
  • Time:
    • 1pm-4pm
  • Locations:
    • Arlington Hills
    • Battle Creek
    • Dayton's Bluff  
    • Duluth & Case
    • Edgcumbe
    • El Rio Vista
    • Frogtown
    • Hancock 
    • Hayden Heights
    • Hazel Park
    • Highwood Hills 
    • Jimmy Lee/Oxford
    • Langford Park
    • Linwood
    • Martin Luther King
    • McDonough
    • Merriam Park
    • North Dale  
    • Palace  
    • Phalen 
    • Rice 
    • West Minnehaha
    • Wilder

FAQs

Last Edited: September 4, 2024