Provides a program for children and adolescents after school hours. Center staff helps students with their homework, including comprehensive reading lessons. The After-School Program will provide a nutritious meal and help children build character through arts and crafts and physical fitness programs.

Offers recreation programs and services to the residents of Des Moines. Parks, trails, and public recreation facilities are available throughout the city.

The Recreation Division provides instruction in various sports, youth sports camps, outdoor aquatic centers, spray grounds, and arts and crafts instruction for individuals interested in developing or enhancing their creative skills. Red Cross swimming instruction is also available at some facilities. The GRASP card offers discounts to low-income families (up to 50% off).

Community Centers offer a variety of activities, open recreation, meeting space, and are barrier-free to allow for participation by persons with a disability. See individual listing for Community Centers.

The Parks Division includes cemeteries, floral gardens and displays, golf courses, tennis courts, bike trails, picnic parks and shelters, swimming pools, and public boat ramps.

Park district with various programs and facilities youth activities and camps, environmental education, aquatics, dance, gymnastics, sports, special events, fitness, and teen and adult programming.

Offers educational, social, cultural, and recreational opportunities for families including mentoring, community meal, and summer food program.

Offers a program designed to empower young entrepreneurs to develop entrepreneurial skills to launch their own businesses. Students receive mentorship from business professionals from the Des Moines Metro area where they obtain hands-on skills and connections to confidently pitch their business ideas at the conclusion of the program.

Helps youth achieve positive growth and development, improve expectations and capabilities for future success, and avoid and/or reduce risk-taking behavior.

Offers academic enrichment, life skills education, parental involvement, recreational/cultural opportunities, positive adult mentors, and community service.

Offers a wide variety of activities including arts and crafts, academic programs, sports, reading clubs, workshops and other recreational, leisure, cultural, social and civic activities for school-age children and youth

Offers hands-on learning incorporating science, social studies, history, art, math and language arts.

Other programs offered:
- School programs
- Field trips
- Bus scholarships
- In-school programs
- Virtual programs
- Home school groups
- Youth groups
- Teaching students with special needs
- Resource loan kits

Anti-violence and substance abuse prevention program targeting youth and their families living under conditions of social and economic poverty, as well as youth who are at risk of academic failure. The program uses a combination of performing arts and academic tutoring to meet its goals.

Promotes high self-esteem, determination, persistence, high academic achievement, community involvement, the importance of health, etc.

Information and referral. Translation and interpretation.

GED study materials and test resources.

Citizenship classes.

Youth programs for Latin American youth age 14-18.

Health and Wellness Outreach unit for minority health initiatives.

Domestic violence support group.

Food distribution.

Provides programs and training for youth, including:

- Life skills training

- Peer mentorship

- Career readiness

- Tutoring and after school programs

- Dance and step programs

- Sports camp

Offers adult-supervised youth activities, including dances, youth trips, and other youth activities.