Camp Fire Alaska | Light the Fire Within
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School Programs

More than 1,200 youth attend our school programs

Camp Fire Alaska’s licensed school programs provide a safe, supportive place for children in grades K-5 to learn, explore, and connect after the school day ends. Guided by caring staff and grounded in high standards of quality and safety, our programs help children build confidence, develop new skills, and create lasting friendships through enriching, age-appropriate experiences.

A group of six kids posing on a playground.

2026-27 School Year Program Locations

Camp Fire’s Afterschool Programs are open to all families and are not limited to students attending school at that location. Families are responsible for arranging transportation to the program location.

Anchorage Locations

Aquarian O'Malley
Chugach Optional Polaris K-12
Denali Rogers Park
Gladys Wood Sand Lake
Government Hill Scenic Park
Huffman Susitna (PT + Pre-K)
Inlet View Trailside
Ocean View

Eagle River Locations

Alpenglow (PT)
Chugiak
Ravenwood

 

Part-Time (PT): This school year, we are excited to be piloting part-time options at Susitna Elementary (a new site!) and Alpenglow Elementary, with Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday schedules.

Pre-K Afterschool: We're launching Pre-K Afterschool at Susitna Elementary! After preschool wraps, kids will join an afterschool program designed just for them from 12:00pm-6:00pm. Part-time options available. Children must be 4-years-old by September 1st and be potty-trained to attend the pre-k program.

Why Choose Camp Fire's Afterschool Program?

Camp Fire helped me to express myself and to stick up for myself. I remember when I was really shy. Now that I go here, I feel awesome!

Brendan, age 11

My children are better friends and more outgoing. They play games, try new things, and have even become better students. What a blessing Camp Fire is!

Anita, Camp Fire Parent

More Than Child Care

At Camp Fire, children enjoy a variety of enriching experiences each day, from creative arts and hands-on STEM activities to active games, outdoor play, and opportunities to build friendships and leadership skills. Many sites also offer homework support, and each program hosts a monthly family night and welcomes special guests throughout the year.

Hours of Operation

2:30pm-6:00pm for all sites except for the following:  

Aquarian: 3:15pm-6:00pm

Chugach Optional: 2:50pm-6:00pm

Polaris: 3:00pm-6:00pm

Susitna Pre-K: 12:00pm-6:00pm

Cost and Scholarships

Camp Fire's full-month afterschool program rate ranges from $495-$595. The Pre-K program full-month rate is $795. Months with fewer school days are prorated. Part-time options are available at selected sites.

We believe all youth and families should have access to our programs and we work hard to make that happen. Our Scholarship Program helps bridge the gap for those who need it, so all kids can have a safe place to go while their families are at work. Our school programs also accept childcare assistance payments.

Learn More About Scholarships >>

Quality and Safety

Known for our high-quality programs and caring, professional staff, Camp Fire Alaska has helped generations of young Alaskans learn, grow, and thrive. The safety and well-being of every child is at the heart of our work, supported by comprehensive youth protection policies that are reviewed and updated annually. Our practices are informed by Camp Fire National’s child abuse prevention protocols and developed in consultation with Praesidium, a nationally recognized leader in abuse prevention.

Our Youth Protection Standards >>

Frequently Asked Questions
Stories and Updates From Our Afterschool Program

The Power of Afterschool Programs

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A cutout photo of a group of young boys on a blue paper background. Text reads: Keeping Kids Safe.

Keeping Kids Safe: Camp Fire’s Youth Safety Curriculum

Our afterschool program is teaching kids about body safety, personal boundaries, and how to speak up when something feels wrong ...

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Absolutely Incredible Kid Day – 2026 Recap

We celebrated Kid Day 2026 with site celebrations, special edition swag, a gallery of self-portraits at a local cafe, and ...

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The Camp Fire Alaska main office operates on the ancestral land of the Dena’ina people. Camp Fire Alaska runs programing on the lands of the Athabascan, Yup’ik, Chup’ik, Sougpiaq, and Inupiaq peoples. We value and thank them for their current and historic commitment to and protection of this land. We pledge to assist, in partnership, in the environmental stewardship of these lands. We strive to learn more about the history of the Native peoples of Alaska and the historic trauma they have suffered. We commit to being an active ally through activities, actions, and organizational decisions and practices. We understand that this is a dynamic process through which our Land Acknowledgement practices, and statement will evolve as we receive feedback from tribal partners and acquire a deeper understanding of and from the Native peoples of Alaska..  (v2)