Dear Winterberry TDC Families!We’ve truly loved exploring the outdoors, sharing adventures, and getting to know your children over the past months. We understand how important after-school care is for working families, and it has been a privilege to provide a safe, engaging, and joyful space for your children each afternoon. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in us. We have genuinely cherished building relationships with each of your campers and families.
With that in mind, we are writing to share some difficult news. Due to ongoing challenges in hiring and retaining staff who meet licensing requirements to safely lead and support programming at Winterberry, we have made the difficult decision to pause our after-school program for the upcoming school year. This was not an easy decision. We care deeply about this community and wanted to ensure that any program we offer continues to meet the high-quality experience and level of care your children deserve. While this pause is disappointing, we believe it is the most responsible decision at this time.
We are hopeful that this pause will be temporary and that we may have the opportunity to return in the future. In the meantime, we would love to continue seeing your families at our other programs, including Winter Camp, Spring Break Camp, and our Summer Camp offerings, where the fun, connection, and outdoor adventures will continue.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Thank you again for allowing us to be part of your children’s afternoons and for all the wonderful memories we have created together this year.
With gratitude,Trailside Discovery Camp
Outdoor Adventure Skills
For outdoor enthusiasts, our Adventure Club includes skiing and biking programs, encourage new skills and providing support for first-time bikers & skiers.
Hands on Learning Experiences
We immerse campers in nature with hands-on activities, promoting an appreciation for the natural environment, sciences, history, outdoor skills, and leadership.
Choose your own Adventure
Campers engage in diverse monthly activities like crafting, nature exploration, reading, soccer, and more!
Program Details
Requirements
The Winterberry after school program is currently only open to campers who attend Winterberry Charter School. The program is for ages 5-15. Biking Club will be for age 7+. (We will accept younger campers with biking skills who can bring their own bike.)
Pricing & Payment Information
Pricing
- Winterberry after school program will be $60/day for Thursdays or $35 for other days of the week, with daily or monthly signup options available
- Monthly, including Thursdays, is $620
- Monthly, Thursdays only, is $200
- Monthly, excluding Thursdays, is $500
- Rates will be prorated for holidays and school breaks
Payments
- We are offering a variety of bi-weekly and monthly payment plans as well as custom payment plans upon request. Installment payment plan options are available during registration.
- There will be no refund issued for non-attendance for any reason. If you are experiencing an exceptional circumstance, please be in touch with us. We will consider these on a case-by-case basis.
- Contact us at (907) 274-KIDS (5437) or via email at trailside@akcenter.org.
- What payment methods do we accept?
- Credit card (3.4% surcharge)
- ACH (e-check with 0% transaction fees)
Schedule
Regular school day aftercare
offered from 3:15 – 5:30 PM.
Sample Schedule
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM Check-in and self-directed play
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM Snacktime
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM Club rotations
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Clean up and self-directed play
Disclaimer: scheduled times are subject to change and dependent on Winterberry’s dismissal schedule.
Thursday After School Program
The after school program for Thursdays will run from 12:30 PM -5:30 PM. Activity selections will be released monthly.
Sample Schedule
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Check In & Self-Directed Play
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM: Lunch/snacks
1:15 PM – 4:30 PM: Choose Your Own Adventure Club Activities on Rotation
- Monthly outdoor skill club based on weather and interest, such as crafting, nature exploration, or reading, as well as biking and skiing.
- Activities like nature walks, bird watching, or hands-on environmental projects.
- Campers choose an activity based on their interests.
- Emphasis on maintenance, skill development, and exploration.
4:30-5:30 PM: Free Play, Wrap-Up and Reflection
- Group reflection on the day’s adventures.
- Announcements for upcoming events and activities as well as group clean up.
- Parents pick up campers with smiles and stories to share!
Packing List
We are an outdoor camp rain or shine! Alaska can be unpredictable so please check the weather each morning and send your campers with the following items in a backpack. Please label ALL items with your camper’s name and phone number. Trailside Discovery Camp is not responsible for lost or stolen camper items.
- Closed Toed Shoes
- Appropriate clothing- easy to move in, no foul language or imagery displayed
- Rain Jacket/ Winter Jacket (weather appropriate outer layers)
- Warm Jacket/Layer
- Full Water Bottle
- Lunch & Snacks
The following items are not permitted at camp:
- Personal Toys
- Tablets or Gaming Devices
- Energy Drinks
- Toy Weapons
- Cellphones (please keep them in your camper’s backpack)
- Pokemon or other trading card games
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
Cell Phone Policy: We have no tech policy. We will not use technology (other than safety equipment or for learning tools) in our programming, and we heavily discourage sending your camper with a cell phone as it takes away from being present both within the camp community and in nature. However, we understand that many families rely on cell phones for communication and logistics. Please have a discussion with your camper about appropriate cell phone use; it is not to be used for entertainment apps or web searches and should be left in their backpack while at camp.
Parent Handbook
View our full Winterberry Parent Handbook.
View the Municipality of Anchorage’s Parent Guide to Licensed Child Care.