Regular hours at the youth center are Monday through Wednesday and Friday from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Thursdays from 2 to 6:30 p.m. The center is closed on weekends. Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Cordova, RCYC

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Cordova Youth Center (RCYC) is offering a slate of free after-school programs designed to spark curiosity, creativity and confidence among local students.

The programs, open to youth who live in or attend school in the city of Rancho Cordova, will take place at the youth center at 10455 Investment Circle. Space is limited, and registration is now open through the city’s website.

Among the offerings is Plant Power, a hands-on science program led by Sierra Nevada Journeys. Scheduled for Feb. 17–20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., the program is open to students in grades one through three. Participants will explore plant biology through activities such as making seed bombs, examining plant cells under microscopes and extracting DNA from strawberries.

The Rancho Cordova Youth Center (RCYC) is offering a slate of free after-school programs. Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Cordova, RCYC

Also running Feb. 17–20 is LEGO Robotics with IntelliBricks, a longer afternoon program held from 1 to 4 p.m. for students in grades one through six. The course introduces youth to engineering and coding concepts using LEGO WeDo and LEGO Prime kits. Students will work in teams while learning about gears, sensors and drag-and-drop programming.

Later in the spring, the youth center will host Korean Martial Arts classes led by Grandmaster Kidong Lee, an eighth-degree black belt. The Tae Kwon Do program, offered in partnership with the Rancho Cordova Police Activities League, will run Tuesdays from Feb. 24 through March 31, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The classes are open to students in grades one through 12 and focus on building discipline, respect, confidence and physical fitness.

In March, the youth center will introduce a ceramics program in partnership with Blue Line Arts. The five-week class held Tuesdays from March 3 through March 31, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., welcomes students in grades four through 12. Guided by professional teaching artists, participants will explore creative expression through clay using wheel-free pottery methods and glazing techniques with both traditional and air-dry materials.

The programs are open to youth who live in or attend school in the city of Rancho Cordova. Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Cordova, RCYC

Youth interested in sports can take part in the Mayes Freeman Youth Sports League’s flag football and mentorship program. Led by Coach Will Logo, the eight-week program meets Wednesdays and Thursdays from March 4 through April 30, from 4 to 6 p.m., with no sessions April 8–9. Open to students in grades one through five, the program blends athletic training with mentorship, emphasizing teamwork, integrity and perseverance.

Dance instruction will also be offered this spring through Studio T Arts & Entertainment. An eight-week hip-hop dance class for students in grades one through five will be held Fridays from March 20 through May 22, from 4 to 5 p.m., with no classes April 3 and April 10. The program introduces rhythm, choreography and performance skills and concludes with a student showcase.

In April, older elementary students can explore science through food in Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Food Scientists program. Designed for students in grades four and five, the program runs Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, through Friday, April 10, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., with no classes April 4–5. Participants will learn chemistry and engineering concepts through hands-on activities such as making kombucha, building solar ovens and creating butter.

During the same week, IntelliBricks will return with another LEGO Robotics session for students in grades one through six. Held from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 3 and April 6–10, the program focuses on teamwork, problem-solving and hands-on learning as students build and code motorized LEGO models.

Regular hours at the youth center are Monday through Wednesday and Friday from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Thursdays from 2 to 6:30 p.m. The center is closed on weekends. Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Cordova, RCYC

The spring season concludes with another session of PAL Martial Arts, Master Lee’s Korean Martial Arts program. Running Tuesdays from April 14 through May 19, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., the six-week course is open to students in grades one through 12 and introduces the fundamentals of Tae Kwon Do while emphasizing discipline, safety and personal growth.

The Rancho Cordova Youth Center is the city’s first dedicated youth center and serves elementary and teenage students year-round. The facility aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment while emphasizing equity, inclusion, mentorship, academic support and sports activities. The Rancho Cordova Youth Center is operated by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento in collaboration with the Rancho Cordova Police Activities League.

Regular hours at the youth center are Monday through Wednesday and Friday from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Thursdays from 2 to 6:30 p.m. The center is closed on weekends.

Families seeking more information about after-school programming can contact Rancho Cordova Youth Center directly at 916-866-4742 or email [email protected]. Questions about the youth center or opportunities to support its programs can be directed to Megan Siren at [email protected] or 916-851-8892.