City’s R-Centers Set to Start Winter Programming as School Break Season Starts

Recreation centers (R-Centers) in the city of Rochester are geared up to start winter programming for youth as the winter breaks from school are set to start within the next several weeks.  

Mayor Malik D. Evans announced on Dec. 11, 2023 that R-Centers will amend their operating hours to align with the Rochester City School District’s extended recesses in December 2023 and February 2024.

“Winter is on its way, but you won’t find the City’s R-Centers hibernating,” Evans said.  “R-Centers offer a wide range of programs, services and activities to keep our young people active and engaged while providing working parents the reassurance that their children are with caring adults when school is not in session. I encourage all parents and caregivers to learn more about our R-Centers and recreation programs to learn about these valuable services that can enrich the lives of their children.”

The city says its R-Center programs and activities are an extension of overall learning for the community’s youth.’

“This year’s winter offerings at City R-Centers total more than 200 programs that offer children opportunities to have fun while learning at the same time,” said Dr. Shirley Green, Commissioner of the Department of Recreation and Human Services. “I am so proud of the R-Center employees who develop and administer these programs in partnership with the communities they serve. Each R-Center is unique, but they all share a common bond formed by a staff committed to giving our kids places where they can enjoy their childhood and prepare for successful futures.”

According to the city, winter recreation programs at the city’s R-Centers and recreation facilities include traditional sports and athletic programs, such as skills and conditioning clinics at the Rochester Community Sports Complex, team sports and dance classes at the R-Centers and open recreation.

The city also says academic enrichment programs include computer coding classes; life-skills training and nature exploration. Other offerings include cooking classes, E-sports, and gaming; and ceramics.

As an important note, the city says it will also be continuing its pilot program to offer Social Emotional Health and Wellness services with certified mental health counselors at four R-Centers; and that as part of the program, all R-Center staff are receiving training to better identify and respond to the emotional and social needs of children in their care.

The city provided its R-Center winter program and activity schedule as follows:

Most R-Centers are open from 2 to 9 p.m. during the school year. They will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Dec. 26, 2023 through 29, 2023; and from Feb. 20, 2024 through Feb. 23, 2024. The R-Centers will be closed on city holidays that fall on Dec. 25, 2023; Jan 1, 2024; Feb. 12, 2024 and Feb. 19; 2024 as well as Mar. 29, 2024.

The city welcomes all city residents to participate in R-Center programs or utilize recreation facilities, most of which are free. To take advantage of these services, residents simply create an online account using the R-Central registration tool on the city’s website. 

More information about the city’s winter recreation programs, R-Center hours and locations, and registration on R-Central is available at www.cityofrochester.gov/recreation.