LEARN MORE
COACH
ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S
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.
SINCE 2021 WE'VE BEEN PROUDLY SERVING
Every participant becomes a Cadet. It's not just a title—it's a commitment to growth, respect, and rising to challenges. Cadets don't just play games; they learn from every experience, support their teammates, and discover what they're truly capable of when they push beyond their comfort zone.
WHAT MAKES A CADET?
OUR PROVEN METHOD
Set Clear Expectations • Identify Teachable Moments • Learn from Challenges • Get Participant Feedback
Every session starts with clarity. Kids know what's expected because confusion kills confidence. When everyone understands the game, they can focus on playing it well.
We listen before we lead. Kids have great ideas, and when we use them, they're more invested in the outcome. Respect flows both ways—we model it, they mirror it.
Here's what makes us different: we don't rescue kids from struggle. When someone gets frustrated or teams clash, that's our classroom. We guide them through it, teaching real skills for real situations.
The result? Kids who don't just follow rules—they understand why they matter. They don't just participate—they contribute. They don't just play—they grow.
Growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and learning—the opposite of thinking you're either "good at something" or you're not. We believe in the power of "yet." When a child says "I can't do this," we add "yet" to the end. This mindset creates upward spirals—each small challenge overcome builds confidence for the next one. A shy kid who speaks up once is more likely to do it again. A frustrated player who learns to take a breath discovers they can handle bigger setbacks. These aren't just feel-good moments; they're building blocks that compound over time, creating momentum that carries into school, friendships, and beyond.
THE GROWTH MINDSET
AN EDUCATIONAL APPROACH THAT HELPS CHILDREN DEVELOP ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS
UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
SOCIAL AWARENESS
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Self-Awareness Foundation: learn to recognize and name your own emotions before understanding others
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Reading Social Cues: Ability to pick up on non-verbal communication and group dynamics
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Empathy Development: Understanding different perspectives and feeling compassion for others
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Cultural Sensitivity: Appreciating diversity and inclusive thinking
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Real Example: "I notice when my teammate looks frustrated, and I remember how I felt when I was struggling too"
RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
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Communication: Expressing needs clearly and listening actively to others
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Teamwork: Collaborating effectively and sharing leadership roles
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Conflict Resolution: Working through disagreements constructively
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Help-Seeking: Knowing when and how to ask for support
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Real Example: "Instead of walking away mad, I told my partner what I needed to feel included"
SELF-MANAGEMENT
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Emotional Regulation: Managing big feelings without explosive reactions
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Impulse Control: Thinking before acting, especially in challenging situations
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Goal Setting: Working toward objectives even when it's difficult
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Stress Management: Healthy coping strategies for pressure and disappointment
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Real Example: "When I get angry during the game, I take three deep breaths before I speak"
DECISION MAKING
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Problem-Solving: Breaking down challenges into manageable steps
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Consequence Awareness: Understanding how choices affect themselves and others
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Ethical Reasoning: Making choices based on values, not just convenience
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Risk Assessment: Evaluating situations before acting
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Real Example: "I thought about how my choice would affect my whole team before I decided"
THE REVIEWS ARE IN.
St. Louis, MO
“My sons (5 and 9) had a great week of camp at Kirkwood Park with the Rec. Academy. They came home happy and excited to go back the next day. We are looking forward to another week with the Rec. Academy in August! Shout out to Counselor Nate, thanks for taking great care of the kids!"
WHY IS SEL DEVELOPMENT IMPORTANT FOR AGES 5 - 12?
AGES 5 - 7
🌱 BASIC EMOTIONS & RULES
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Basic emotion recognition and naming
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Simple self-regulation (stop, breathe, think)
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Following group rules and taking turns
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Beginning empathy ("How do you think they feel?")
AGES 8 - 9
🤝 PEER COLLAB & COMMUNICATION
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Working in teams with assigned roles
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Understanding others' perspectives
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Communicating needs and boundaries clearly
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Basic conflict resolution skills
AGES 10 - 12
👑 LEADERSHIP & COMPLEX PROBLEMS
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Leading and mentoring younger participants
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Complex problem-solving and goal-setting
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Advanced empathy and perspective-taking
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Making ethical decisions under pressure
🎯Trained to Lead, Ready to Adapt
Before starting a session, our instructors go through intentional training built around The Rec Academy Method—a proven framework for making play purposeful.
They learn how to:
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Create structure and momentum with clear expectations
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Use games and group challenges to teach soft skills
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Recognize and redirect behavior in the moment with teachable moments
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Reflect and reinforce growth through guided debriefs
This isn’t theory—it’s action. From day one, our staff are coached to read the room, adapt on the fly, and turn everyday interactions into powerful developmental moments.
🧠 Experiential Learning in Motion
Our sessions are active by design. Games aren’t just for burning energy—they’re tools for teaching collaboration, emotional regulation, and leadership. Staff are trained to facilitate group dynamics, not control them—creating space for kids to problem-solve, speak up, and support one another. Through short, high-energy activities followed by reflective questions like “What worked?” or “What would you do differently?”, our instructors guide cadets toward self-awareness and personal responsibility—without ever sounding like a lecture.
🛠️ Prepared, Supported, and Empowered
Every Rec Academy instructor is backed by a team. From daily Plans of Action to post-session reflections, our instructors are never left to figure it out alone. Area Managers provide coaching, real-time feedback, and the support needed to bring out the best in every staff member—and every kid. When you drop your child off at A Rec Academy program, you’re not just getting safe supervision. You’re getting a dynamic, trained facilitator whose mission is to help your child grow through movement, connection, and play.