“I thank and commend you for your devotion and commitment to children, creating programs which allow children to tap into their own resources which allow them to fly.”
   -- From a mother’s letter to the Harbor

At Boys and Girls Harbor’s three After School OST (Out of School Time) programs, our mission is to give young people the resources and opportunities to develop skills, knowledge, and self-respect, empowering them to become productive members of society. 

In a typical semester, over 375 children are enrolled in Junior Education, for six to nine year olds, and Senior Education, for nine to thirteen year olds, all in a stimulating; stable; loving; and supportive environment

Students receive homework help and academic enrichment and are encouraged to explore their individual talents and creativity. Our students grow through participation and exposure to performing and visual arts, team sports, science and technology, the peoples and cultures of other nations, ecology and the environment, and ethics and values.  Making the most of the wonderful cultural opportunities in New York City, we partner with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Diller-Quaille School of Music, New York Junior League, Barnard College, Bank Street College of Education, New York Cares, and Toys for Tots, among many others.

Specialties:

Harbor City: In this popular aspect of the after school portfolio, students create their own multi-layered society.  Micro-citizens mimic the adult world, holding jobs and playing other roles in their community.  While improving their math and writing abilities, they hone their social skills, learning how to negotiate, work as a team, turn ideas into results, assume responsibility for their decisions, and advocate for their positions.  This “micro society” gives valuable insights into the rigorous social rules that govern adult life. In addition students learn about the connection between school subjects, daily life and future success.

Boys and Girls Harbor is proud to be the first after school program to adopt the Core Knowledge Sequence.  The Core Knowledge Sequence is a detailed outline of specific content to be taught in language arts, history, geography, mathematics, science and the fine arts.  As the core of our after school curriculum, it provides a coherent foundation of learning while allowing flexibility to meet local and individual needs.

Community Service: Recently, we partnered with the Northern Manhattan Rehabilitation and Nursing Center to create a mural depicting images of education and self empowerment among people of all races, colors, and creeds.  Other experiences include collecting and delivering goods for our local food pantry, donating and sorting books and pajamas for orphans through the Pajama Program, and visiting local Senior Centers on a bi-monthly basis for activities with the elderly such as bingo, chess, knitting, and chorus.