Who can come to EDGE Teen Center for the Afterschool Experience?

EDGE welcomes high school age youth to participate in EDGE experiences. Incoming high school freshmen are welcome to begin participating during the summer months before they enter high school and can participate until the close of school their senior years.

Are there fees associated with the EDGE?

Due to donations from the community and the generosity of local foundations, EDGE is able to provide all services free of charge. The only money your teen may need while in the program would be for snacks purchased in the snack bar at EDGE@East. These snacks are sold near cost. Fresh fruit is available daily for teens free of charge.

Am I required to come to EDGE every day?

No. A lot of our teens attend daily but we have many teens that utilize the after school services when they need it but skip when they are scheduled to work, have practice or a club meeting.

What paperwork is required for a teen to participate?

All paperwork and permission slips can be found on our website. Registration is required and available to fill out online.

For the after school experience at EDGE@East click here

For the after school experience at EDGE@West click here

For EDGE@Work and community service opportunities, click here

What can I expect when I arrive on my first day?

You will be greeted by a staff member or adult volunteer at the Check In Desk. If your registration paperwork has been submitted, they will check you into the computer system and then you can enter the space. There may be large group games like gaga ball or corn hole happening, board games and card games, music and space to study or hang out. There will be food available for free or to purchase at a discounted rate each day. EDGE has every version of teenagers from band kids, athletes, studious teens and everything in between. All are welcome.

Do I need to check out? Am I able to leave and come back?

We will not hold any teens in our spaces but we do keep a timestamp for when you leave and return. If you need to run back to school to grab a book or head to a meeting and then return, that works for us if it works for your grown ups.

Where are you located? 

We have two teen center locations. EDGE@East is located across the street from Lakota East High School on Wyandot Lane. The other is located at the MidPointe Library across from Lakota West High School, EDGE@West. EDGE@Work experiences leave from both of these locations and also operate from a satellite location in Hamilton and Middletown during the school day.

Can parents come into EDGE?

We would LOVE to take parents on a tour of either of our locations but all of the adults that spend time in our spaces are interviewed, vetted and background checked. A volunteer or staff member is happy to escort you into our spaces to check things out or talk to you about volunteer opportunities if you want to stay longer.

What is EDGE@Work?

EDGE@Work provides teens with meaningful volunteer experiences that will help to share their future career goals. Think of it as Community Service Hours: Advanced. EDGE provides engaging opportunities for teens to serve their community, gain needed service hours but ALSO gain skills that will prepare them for future employment and explore career fields that are new to them. To learn more click here.

Who can volunteer at EDGE? What is the volunteer experience like?

We welcome adult volunteers to join our team throughout the school year. Many of our volunteers are college age or retired but we welcome all of our middle-ish aged adults as well. To qualify to volunteer at EDGE you need to be able to pass a background check, be able to listen without judgment and commit to consistently showing up to mentor and care about young people. To begin the onboarding process, click here.

How can my teen get volunteer hours/community service hours with EDGE?

 To sign up for the EDGE@Work Volunteer Opportunities, click on this link. All teen volunteers must have a parent/guardian fill out the registration form and then must register for the specific opportunity they want to participate in on the SignUpGenius Link. Please note which site that the EDGE Van will be leaving from and returning to when you sign up for a service experience.