Pensacola reports higher enrollment, new programming and safety training in after‑school centers

Andrea McKibben, the City of Pensacola’s out‑of‑school time coordinator, updated the Parks and Recreation Board on June 17 on changes to the city’s after‑school and summer programs.

McKibben said all four centers now use block scheduling and have expanded STEM/STEAM activities to younger ages, from 5 to 12 years old. “All of our four centers have implemented a 40 or 30 to 45 minute schedule of blocked activities,” she said, and staff post daily schedules so children and counselors know what to expect.

The presentation listed several program changes adopted this year: new hands‑on science projects (lava lamps, “elephant toothpaste,” tornado‑in‑a‑bottle demonstrations), art projects including a blacklight painting, and technology upgrades — iPads and smart TVs — to expand content shown to students. McKibben also described a behavioral recognition program called “center celebrities” and an “I got caught” card system to reward positive actions.

McKibben told the board the program expanded its participant tracking and demographics and sent staff to the National After School Association conference for professional development. She said staff completed training in child abuse recognition, CPR, first aid and AED use. “They are all now certified,” McKibben said.

Board members asked about medical readiness and transportation. McKibben said the centers have newer AED units and that staff are trained to use them on adults and infants. She said the city uses a mix of transportation resources for field trips and summer activities: “ECAT helps, correct? Yep. We have a bus, a handicap bus, and some vans that we've been using to do that as well.”

Enrollment and schedule details: McKibben reported enrollment growth at the Fricker Center from two participants in August 2024 to 43 in May 2025 and said Fricker had more than 50 children in the summer program at the time of the meeting. She said after‑school programming begins each day between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m.; summer programming runs 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and children are grouped by age. McKibben said a July‑period enrollment deadline applies: “We do have, July 15 or sorry, June 15 for the July timeframe. But for the Fricker Center, taking open enrollment right now.” Locations named in the presentation were Woodlawn, Fricker, Gallpoint and Cobb Center.

McKibben listed summer offerings including music lessons (piloting at Gallpoint), YMCA swim lessons, Pensacola Sings concerts at several centers, a center‑wide kickball tournament, and partnerships such as Smart Smiles/Wild Smiles for dental hygiene education. She said Pensacola High students volunteered to lead two weeks of STEM/STEAM projects and that the city distributed three National Flight Academy scholarships in May.

Nut graf: The board heard that the city’s after‑school system is adding curriculum and staff training while handling larger rosters; the changes matter for safety, child development and program planning as the city prepares for a full summer schedule and next school year enrollment.

Board members praised the staffing and training improvements and encouraged curricular additions such as no‑cook nutrition lessons. The presentation prompted practical follow‑ups: board members asked staff to confirm AED coverage at each site and noted the importance of sharing program schedules and demographic breakdowns so the board and the public can track where services are being delivered.

The board did not take a formal vote on program changes during the presentation. McKibben said further materials (slides and data) would be posted and the city’s Play Pensacola Facebook page is used for updates.

Ending: McKibben said she would continue collecting enrollment and demographic data to guide placement and programming, and board members requested the AED coverage and the posted schedules be confirmed in writing to the board.