The Club at Collington Square

The Club is an academic and community arts-based after school and summer camp program for youth ages 5 – 14 living in the Collington Square neighborhood of East Baltimore. Established in 2001, The Club offers a safe space to over 30 elementary and middle school students after school and throughout the summer. Although Club youth face a myriad of challenges, The Club works to provide the academic and emotional support they need to succeed. Our mission is to help shape strong, responsible, respectful, and successful youth through academic and arts programming. We are committed to a holistic approach in helping youth realize their own success through character and confidence building. The Club maintains a food and clothing bank for parents in need and serves as a resource to community members.

Through a multitude of visual and performing arts media, Club youth express, create, learn, and grow, with each project extending their academic knowledge and understanding. Through a community-based approach to art and creative expression, The Club engages both youth and adults through our arts curriculum. Each day we provide individualized homework help as well as small group tutoring in Math and Reading to reinforce and extend their school instruction. Through a partnership with Collington Square Elementary and Middle School, Club staff members are able to track the academic progress of our youth.

The Club also provides summer employment opportunities for older youth who have been part of the program throughout their middle school years. These positions are funded through government and private sector support. Participation in The Club is voluntary and youth attend because of the trust and sense of belonging established by The Club staff.