Rec Plus offers $5 per week childcare scholarships at two Northside sites

Rec Plus offers school-age childcare that is safe, fun, friendly and affordable. It is open to kindergartners through sixth-graders at a range of neighborhood recreation centers operated by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) – see list below.

Now, MPRB has announced that its Rec Plus sites at Webber Park and Harrison Park offer scholarships for school age children who reside in North Minneapolis and who qualify for free and reduced lunch. The scholarship program, launched this year, offers K-6 childcare, morning and/or afterschool, at Harrison or Webber Recreation Center for $5/week.

“Northside community members have been asking about childcare scholarships for a long time,” said Kale Severson, MPRB Commissioner for District 2, which includes most of North Minneapolis. “I’ve been advocating for this since I was elected and I am thankful to the current Board of Commissioners for supporting this much-needed service for residents.”

Scholarship details and other fee assistance: To apply for these scholarships contact: Webber Park at RecPlusWebber@minneapolisparks.org or 612-370-4916; or Harrison at RecPlusHarrison@minneapolisparks.org or 612-370-4951. More info at minneapolisparks.org/recplus.

Families may also apply for funding assistance for all sites through the Hennepin County Child Care assistance program. Partial fee assistance at all sites is also available for Minneapolis residents who are income-eligible.

During the pandemic, program components are modified to meet public health guidelines, including mask requirements for staff and children. Activities are modified for social distancing and may include games, sports, arts and crafts, homework help and nutritious snacks.