Dear Families,

We want to inform you of some important changes to our School Age Program for the 2024-2025 school year. Due to the Anchorage School District school start time changes to take effect in August 2024, our program offerings will change.

Camp Fire Alaska has made the difficult decision to discontinue operating morning programs across all program locations. The shortened window before school start time does not allow us to provide a morning program. Camp Fire will be offering extended afternoon programs to accommodate the school schedule changes. All Camp Fire Alaska program locations will operate from 2:30pm-6:00pm daily to accommodate the new school schedule, except for Aquarian, which will operate 3:15pm-6pm.

Additionally, beginning October 1st, North Star Elementary and Chester Valley Elementary will transition to a fee-for-service model due to an end in funding for this program.

We recognize these changes will have a significant impact on children and families, and we are continuing to work closely with other out-of-school-time partners, the Anchorage School District, and the Alaska Afterschool Network to help families and the community make this transition next year. You can learn more about the new school schedules and access resources here to plan for next school year.

Camp Fire registration for the 2024-2025 school year will open Wednesday, March 20th at 10am AKST for all currently enrolled families, and on March 22nd at 10am AKST for all other families.

Please see the FAQ below for additional information pertaining to updates about next school year.

Will Camp Fire offer before school programs next school year?

Due to the Anchorage School District school start time changes to take effect in August 2024, Camp Fire will no longer offer morning programs because the very short window of time before school start will not be feasible.

What will afterschool programs look like next school year?

All Camp Fire Alaska program locations will operate from 2:30pm-6:00pm daily to accommodate the new school schedule, except for Aquarian, which will operate 3:15pm-6pm.

Why is Aquarian Elementary School operating with different hours?

Because they are a charter school, they do not have to adopt ASD’s schedule change and have decided not to change their school start time schedule.

Can you extend the hours of morning program by starting earlier so that you can provide before school program?

Camp Fire Alaska will not to be shifting the morning program start time to earlier, and instead focus resources and energy on an extended high impact afterschool experience with more program offerings for youth and families.

Will Camp Fire open after school programs at locations that were AM only programs during the 2022-23 school year?

Camp Fire will continue to assess school need and will communicate with families if any plans change to open an after school program at these locations.

Why is the Anchorage School District changing the school start times and how do I plan for my family?

According to the studies done by ASD, these new school start times align with students’ natural sleep patterns. It is anticipated that attendance rates will go up and absences will go down. Information and resources about the new school schedules can be accessed here or at  https://www.asdk12.org/schoolstarttimes

Will the cost of School Age Program change?

Yes, all Afterschool Program locations cost will be $560/month, except for Aquarian which will be $490. While we are trying to keep costs as low as possible for families, these fees still do not cover our current operating costs.

Can I apply for a Camp Fire Scholarship?

Families who will need a Camp Fire scholarship to attend program next school year should read about the scholarship process here and plan to complete a Child Care Assistance application. Please note that Child Care Assistance applications need to be done only once per year, so does not need to be completed again if already done in winter of 2023-2024.

Why are North Star and Chester Valley Elementary transitioning to a fee-for-service model?

Grant funding for these programs is coming to an end. Moving to a fee-based model will make the program and families eligible for Child Care Assistance funds to cover the cost of program for families. Camp Fire has scholarships available to help cover the remaining costs if families need this support.

What if I need help applying for Child Care Assistance?

Camp Fire staff will be working closely with families in August and September to help them with the Child Care Assistance process. Be on the lookout for help session dates. You can also call the front office for assistance at 907-279-3551.

Is Camp Fire planning to open any additional sites next school year?

Camp Fire does not have plans to open additional sites at the start of the school year, but continue to evaluate the potential to open additional locations throughout the 2024-2025 school year.

Can you open programs in Middle Schools?

Currently, we are not planning to open any Middle School Programs. We will be focusing our resources and energy on an extended high impact afterschool experience for school age youth with more program offerings for youth and families.