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LEARN MORE ABOUT US
WELCOME TO
CADET!
THE REC ACADEMY,
LEARN MORE
NOW!
ABOUT OUR TEAM
Become A Rec Academy Partner!
At The Recreation Academy, we design and deliver high-energy programs that help kids build real-life skills through play. From after-school enrichment and sports clinics to camps and special events, our trained staff turn every session into a growth opportunity.
Reasons To Join Our Community
We offer a diverse range of options to meet the needs of kids, schools, and families alike:
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Fully staffed and insured programming
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Proven structure focused on safety, fun, and development
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Custom-built sessions for schools, districts, rec centers & more
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Registration portals, equipment, and parent communication handled for you
Let us bring the energy—so you can bring something unforgettable to your community.
Partner Location Examples
St. Louis Public Library -
St. Louis, MO Branch Partner
New City School -
St. Louis, MO Branch Partner
Lindbergh School District -
St. Louis, MO Branch Partner
Fox C-6 School District -
St. Louis, MO Branch Partner
Sugar Grove Park District -
Chicago, IL Branch Partner
Teaching Life Skills Through Fun and Games
At The Recreation Academy, we believe that play is a powerful tool for learning. Founded in 2021, our mission is to help children develop essential soft skills—like communication, teamwork, problem solving and resilience—through engaging, active experiences.
What began as a simple idea—to blend traditional recreation with meaningful life lessons—has grown into a multi-city operation delivering high-impact programs to schools, camps, churches, and communities across the Midwest. From day one, our focus has been the same: keep it safe, keep it fun, and make it Impactful.
Our Mission
We're here to help kids thrive—not just for the day, but for life. Every game is a chance to build resilience. Every conversation, a chance to practice empathy. Every win (and loss), a chance to grow.
This is play with purpose.
This is The Recreation Academy.
What We Do
As youth program engineers—designing and delivering sessions that go way beyond supervision is our purpose. Whether it’s a dodgeball tournament after school, drone-racing, or basketball camp, every moment with us is intentionally structured to spark growth.
Our programs are built to:
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Inspire curiosity and confidence
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Strengthen leadership and communication
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Promote physical activity and teamwork
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Help kids reflect, adapt, and grow
Signature Approach
MORE THAN JUST A KID'S PROGRAM. At The Recreation Academy we're focused on helping create an environment that allows kids to learn in a productive and hands on way. By using thought provoking debriefs after each activity we aim to encourage the growth of participant soft skills. We train every staff member in our Rec Academy Method—turning casual play into transformational learning.
Frontloading
Every session starts by setting the tone and expectations—so kids know what’s coming, and what’s expected.
Teachable Moments
We embrace interruptions as opportunities to model empathy, redirect behavior, and reinforce values.
Debriefing
A process of reflection and discussion that occurs during and after an activity or experience. It involves participants sharing their thoughts, feelings, and observations about what happened and how they feel we could improve things moving forward.
After each session, we pause and reflect. Asking participants "What went well?" "What we could improve?" and "How did we show up for each other?"
This structured process turns fun into fuel for real development.
What are soft skills?
Non-technical, interpersonal, and personal attributes that enable individuals to interact effectively with others and succeed in various aspects of life. They include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, empathy, and many others.
Our programs help improve these skills by creating a structured and engaging environment where children can practice and develop these abilities while having fun. Through activities and games, participants learn how to communicate effectively with their peers, collaborate in teams, adapt to different situations, show empathy, and value others' perspectives. By providing opportunities for real-life application, our programs enable children to strengthen these skills and carry them into their daily lives.
Programs We Offer
We offer a diverse range of options to meet the needs of kids, schools, and families alike:
Enrichment Clubs: Weekly after-school programs featuring high-energy games and hands-on creativity
School Break Camps: Action-packed seasonal camps with rotating activities and tons of outdoor time
Cadet Care: Our daily before/after care that blends flexibility with purposeful play
Sports Clinics: Skill-based clinics in basketball, flag football, wiffle ball, and pickleball—focused on fundamentals and fun
Special Events: Kids Nights Out, mobile field trips, private parties, and lock-ins—all custom-built and fully staffed