What Is Cadet Care?
Cadet Care is our full-service youth programming solution built for schools that want to offer families more than just supervision. It's before and after school care, enrichment programming, and out-of-school-time coverage — all under one roof, managed entirely by our team and for the absolute best price you'll ever find in the industry.
Before & After School Care
A reliable, high-quality solution for schools that gives parents peace of mind with daily before and after school coverage — no scrambling for childcare.
Enrichment, Skill Building
& Growth
Students participate in multi-week enrichment clubs and sports clinics focused on personal growth, social skills development, and building confidence through real experiences.
Out-of-School-Time Coverage
Half days, teacher workdays, days off, and school breaks are covered — giving families structured, engaging options when school isn't in session.
One Partner. Complete Coverage.
Schools get a single, trusted partner that handles daily care, enrichment programming, and school break coverage — so administrators can focus on education, and families always have a plan.
The Basics
AGES
5-12 years old
Grouped within 3-year age brackets
HOURS
Before & After School
Morning session + afternoon session available
SCHEDULE
1-5 days per week
Flexible — choose the days that work for your family
PRICING
Includes Enrichment
More days = bigger discounts on enrichment programs
What Sets Us Apart
Most before & after school programs are glorified babysitting. We built Cadet Care to be the highlight of your child's day — where growth happens naturally through play.
Enrichment Included, Not Upsold
Other programs charge extra for enrichment activities. We include our sports clinics and enrichment clubs as part of your Cadet Care enrollment — the more days you sign up, the more you get.
Staff-Guided Growth
Every session includes structured debriefs where kids reflect on teamwork, communication, and personal growth. Our staff are trained facilitators, not just supervisors.
High-Engagement Activities
From drone racing to basketball clinics to creative arts — kids rotate through activities they actually want to do. No screen time. No sitting around.
Social-Emotional Learning Built In
Communication, self-reflection, valuing different perspectives, and giving constructive feedback are woven into every activity — not taught as a separate lesson.
Safe & Structured Environment
Background-checked, CPR/First Aid certified staff. Clear safety protocols. 1:15 staff-to-child ratios. Parents can breathe easy.
Priority Access to Camps
Cadet Care families get priority registration for school break camps, half-day programs, and day-off-school events — before spots open to the public.
Our Proven Method
Every session follows a structured approach that turns casual play into meaningful learning.
Set Clear Expectations
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.
Learn from Challenges
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 life skills for real situations.
Identify Teachable Moments
We listen before we lead. Kids have great ideas, and when we use them, they're more invested in the outcome. We embrace opportunities to model empathy and reinforce values.
Get Participant Feedback
After each activity, we pause and reflect. We ask "What went well?" "What could we improve?" and "How did we show up for each other?" This process turns fun into fuel for real development.
Frontload → Experience → Debrief → Repeat
The cycle that runs multiple times throughout every single session we facilitate.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
Every session is structured for engagement, growth, and fun — not just filling time until pickup.
BEFORE SCHOOL
Morning Session
-
Arrival & check-in
-
Free play & social time
-
Structured morning activity
-
Snack & homework help
-
Walk to class
DURING SCHOOL
Your Child's School Day
-
Regular school classes
-
We handle the before & after — they handle the middle
AFTER SCHOOL
Afternoon Session
-
Pickup from class & check-in
-
Snack time & decompression
-
Enrichment activity block (sports, STEM, arts, games)
-
Staff-guided debrief & reflection
-
Free play & pickup window
8 Enrichment Club Adventures Per Year.
Zero Extra Cost.
Cadet Care families enjoy access to two different enrichment clubs or sports clinics per 6-week session, with 4 sessions per school year—each with its own curriculum, skilled instructors, and structured skill-building—across four sessions. While other providers charge $125+ per program, we include these at no extra cost for families enrolled 4–5 days a week and offer a discount for all enrolled families.
Drone Racing 101
6-Week Adventure • Ages 8-12
Pilots wanted! Kids learn to fly drones from the ground up — starting with basic controls, advancing to tricks and speed runs, and finishing by designing their own racing courses. Heavy STEM focus with real-world engineering concepts baked into every session.
RC Racing 101
6-Week Adventure • Ages 8-12
Remote control cars meet STEM education. Kids build custom courses, learn about speed, friction, and momentum, then compete in timed challenges. They'll understand real physics concepts without even realizing they're learning.
Trading Card Clubs
6-Week Adventure • Ages 7-12
Kids collect, trade, and battle with their favorite cards, learning game strategy, math skills, and good sportsmanship. They’ll explore deck building, practice fair play, and connect with fellow fans in a fun, welcoming environment.
Chess Masters
6-Week Adventure • Ages 8-12
Kids learn strategy, critical thinking, and problem-solving through chess. They'll master tactics, study classic games, and compete in friendly matches while developing patience and focus.
Comic Book Maker
6-Week Adventure • Ages 7-12
Kids explore storytelling and illustration, create their own characters and comics, and learn about narrative and visual design. They'll develop creativity and reading skills while having fun bringing their stories to life.
Domino Mega Builders
6-Week Adventure • Ages 6-12
Kids design and build creative domino runs, exploring concepts like cause and effect, sequencing, and balance. They’ll work together to plan, construct, and topple massive chain reactions, building teamwork and engineering skills while having a blast watching their creations come to life.
What Your Kids Are Actually Doing
Every activity is designed with learning outcomes, skill progression, and a staff-guided debrief. Here's a look inside real sessions from our enrichment programs.
From: RC Racing 101
Build-a-Course Relay
Younger kids work in pairs to build a simple RC car course using blocks and ramps. They take turns driving through each other's courses, cheering each other on. The debrief asks: 'What was hard? What was fun? How did your partner help you?'
Learning Outcomes:
From: Flag Football Clinics
Animal Movement Game
Before learning football fundamentals, younger kids warm up with animal movement games — bear crawls, frog jumps, crab walks — that build the same muscles used in sports. They learn that athletes train their bodies in creative ways, and every movement counts.
Learning Outcomes:
From: Capture The Flag Activity
Team Banner Design
Before gameplay begins, teams design their own banners with a team name, mascot, and cheer. This builds group identity and makes the competition feel meaningful. Kids practice compromise, sharing ideas, and celebrating what makes their team unique.
Learning Outcomes:
Enrichment Programs Your Kids Will Love
These are the same enrichment clubs and sports clinics other families pay full price for. As a Cadet Care family, you get them at 30-100% off depending on your enrollment.
Programs vary by location and season. View all programs →
Why This Works
Cadet Care isn't just convenient — it's designed to make a real impact on your child's development.
1-5
Days Per Week
Flexible scheduling — choose 1 to 5 days per week based on your family's needs.
1:15
Staff Ratio
Trained, background-checked staff with CPR/First Aid certification at every session.
4
SEL Pillars
Communication, self-reflection, valuing perspectives, and constructive feedback built into every activity.
100%
Enrichment Included
Communication, self-reflection, valuing perspectives, and constructive feedback built into every activity.
Other Families Pay $1,000+ Extra
For What You Get Included.
Most before & after school providers charge a monthly care fee plus separate fees for enrichment clubs and sports. With Cadet Care, enrichment is built in — not bolted on.
Here's How the Savings Add Up
What Other Providers Charge
Monthly Care Fee
$360–$475
/month
Right At School: $360 • YMCA: $375–$475
Enrichment Clubs & Sports (Sold Separately)
$125
/program/child
Average cost per enrichment or sports program
Programs to Match What Cadet Care Includes
8 programs
/year
8 enrichment clubs across the school year
Their Total Extra Enrichment Cost
$1,000
per child, per year — on top of their monthly care fee
$125 × 8 enrichment programs = $1,000 per child — and that's on TOP of a monthly care fee that's already higher than ours.
What Cadet Care Charges
Monthly Care Fee
$350
/month
Already lower than every competitor
Enrichment Clubs & Sports Clinics
$0 Extra
8 programs per year included with 4-5 day enrollment
What's included at no extra cost:
8 enrichment clubs per school year
Multi-week programs across Fall, Winter, and Spring
Each program is 60-90 minutes per session
Dedicated curriculum with learning outcomes
Staff-guided debriefs after every session
Programs like Drone Racing, Archery, Basketball, RC Cars
Your Annual Savings
$1,000+
vs. paying monthly care + separate enrichment fees elsewhere
Monthly Before & After School Care — Side by Side
Cadet Care
$350
/mo
+ 8 enrichment programs included
Effective cost with enrichment:
$350/mo total
Right At School
$360
/mo
Enrichment clubs sold separately
With comparable enrichment:
$360/mo + $125/program
YMCA (Members)
$375
/mo
Enrichment clubs sold separately
With comparable enrichment:
$375/mo + $125/program +$85/mo membership fee
YMCA (Non-Members)
$475
/mo
Enrichment clubs sold separately
With comparable enrichment:
$375/mo + $125/program
Pricing based on publicly available rates from Right At School and YMCA at nearby locations as of 2026. Enrichment program costs reflect industry average of ~$125 per 6-week program per child. Cadet Care enrichment inclusion applies to families enrolled 4-5 days per week. Actual savings vary by enrollment level and location.
More Days = More Perks
The more days your child attends Cadet Care, the bigger the benefits. Discounts on enrichment programs and priority access to camps are built right in.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
Other programs charge extra for enrichment. We include it.
Most before & after school providers treat enrichment activities as separate add-ons with additional fees. At The Recreation Academy, enrichment clubs and sports clinics are discounted or completely free based on your Cadet Care enrollment — because growth shouldn't come with a surcharge.
Pricing varies by location and session length. Contact your school's Cadet Care coordinator or reach out to us for specific rates.
How Cadet Care Compares
You have options for before & after school care. Here's why principals and superintendents are choosing Cadet Care over the national providers.
12/12
Cadet Care
6/12
Right Club
4/12
Y-Care
Comparison based on publicly available program information from Right At School (rightatschool.com) and YMCA Y-Care programs (ymca.org) as of 2026. Right Club charges separately for enrichment "Discovery Clubs." Features may vary by location.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
Hear from families and organizations who've experienced the difference.
"We had The Rec Academy host my son's 8th birthday party and it was AMAZING! The staff kept all 15 kids engaged the entire time. I actually got to sit down for once and enjoy the party. Best decision ever!"
Sarah M.
Birthday Party Parent
"The Recreation Academy made our end-of-year field day absolutely incredible! They set up 4 stations and trained our teachers in minutes. Over 200 kids rotated through and every single one had a blast. Already booked for next year!"
Principal Johnson
Elementary School Field Day
"My kids have attended three different camps with The Recreation Academy and they BEG to go back every time. The variety of activities keeps them engaged all day, and they come home exhausted but happy. Worth every penny!"
Amanda R.
Summer Camp Parent
1000's
of Families Served
74+
Current Partner Locations
32
Program Options
$
Low Cost, High Quality
Where Cadet Care Is Available
Cadet Care is offered at select partner schools. We're actively expanding — if your school isn't listed, let us know!
THE REC ACADEMY
St. Louis, MO
Accepting new partner schools
THE REC ACADEMY
Kansas City, MO
Accepting new partner schools
THE REC ACADEMY
Medford, OR
Accepting new partner schools
THE REC ACADEMY
Nashville, TN
Accepting new partner schools
Days Off &
School Break Camps
Cadet Care doesn't stop when the bell rings for vacation. We provide structured, enrichment-driven programming for every gap in the school calendar.
100%
Of school calendar gaps covered
11+
Camp style program options
1:15
Staff-to-child ratio maintained
5-12
Ages served year-round
Days Off School
Teacher Workdays - Conferences - Holidays
Half-Day Coverage
Early Dismissals - PD Days
Holiday Break Camps
Winter & Spring Break, President's Day & More
Summer Break Camps
Multi-Week Themed Camps - June thru August
Days Off School
Teacher Workdays - Conferences - Holidays
When school's out but work isn't, we've got families covered. Full-day programming packed with enrichment activities, games, and structured fun — right at their school.
Full-day structured programming
On-site at your school
Enrichment-driven activities
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages is Cadet Care for?
Cadet Care serves children ages 5-12, grouped within 3-year age brackets so activities are developmentally appropriate.
How Many days per week can my child attend?
You can enroll for 1 to 5 days per week. The more days you sign up for, the bigger the discounts on enrichment clubs and sports clinics, plus higher priority for school break camp spots.
What's included in the enrichment discounts?
At 1 day/week you get 30% off enrichment clubs and sports clinics at your school. At 2-3 days it's 50% off. At 4-5 days, enrichment clubs and sports clinics are completely free. You also get escalating priority for school break, half-day, and day-off camp spots.
When do registrations open?
Registration open dates vary based on several factors. However, we will always open a minimum of 60 days prior tot the start date of a session and stop taking registrations 10 days prior to the start date.
Can I change my schedule mid-year?
We work with families to accommodate schedule changes when possible. Contact us at support@therecreationacademy.com to discuss adjustments.
What activities do kids do during Cadet Care?
Activities rotate and include sports, STEM projects, creative arts, team games, and more. Every session includes a structured debrief where kids reflect on teamwork, communication, and personal growth with staff guidance.
Are your staff background-checked?
Yes. All staff undergo background checks, hold CPR/First Aid certification, and complete mandated reporter training. We maintain a 1:15 staff-to-child ratio.
What is your refund policy?
Refunds depend on when you cancel. Programs require a nonrefundable deposit (e.g., $15–$35 per participant depending on program type). For other programs:
-
30+ days in advance: 100% refund minus deposit
-
15–30 days in advance: 50% refund
-
14 days or less: 50% credit toward a future program or transfer to another week
No refunds for dismissals due to behavior. If you have quality concerns, contact us right away—we'll work to resolve it.
Is Cadet Care available at my school?
If Cadet Care is available at your school, you will be emailed a link to your location's landing page will be emailed to you by school admin.