School Break Care & Special Programs
Care and enrichment when school is out
VIPERs Academy is here to support children and families beyond the regular after-school schedule.
When school is closed, dismissed early, or on break, VIPERs Academy will continue to provide engaging care and enrichment opportunities for enrolled families who need support—based on the published program calendar, available enrollment, staffing, and operating conditions.
Children will continue to have opportunities to Learn, Play, Lead, and Grow through a balanced mix of academic support, active recreation, creativity, friendship, leadership, and fun.
Support when school is out
Families need reliable support even when the school calendar changes. VIPERs Academy is designed to offer care and meaningful activities during selected school breaks, teacher in-service days, early-dismissal days, and other scheduled school closures.
Our goal is to give children a safe, positive place to spend their day while giving parents and caregivers support when school is not in session.
School-break care will be offered according to the VIPERs Academy calendar. Families will receive advance information about dates, hours, availability, registration, fees, and any special program details.
When VIPERs Academy may be open
VIPERs Academy plans to operate during selected times when school is not in session, including:
- Teacher in-service days
- Early-dismissal days
- Selected school-closure days
- Winter break
- Spring break
- Summer enrichment opportunities
- Half-day school days
- Special-program days
- Selected holiday-break days
The exact annual calendar, program hours, holiday closures, fees, and registration deadlines will be shared with families before enrollment opens.
A full day with VIPERs
Learn – Play – Lead – Grow
School-break and special-program days will provide a full, engaging experience for children. While the schedule may vary based on the event, age group, location, weather, and activity plan, a typical day may include:
| Part of the day | What children may experience |
|---|---|
| Welcome and check-in | Children arrive, check in, settle in, and prepare for the day. |
| Morning activity | Creative projects, STEM challenges, leadership activities, team-building, reading, or hands-on learning. |
| Snack and social time | Time to recharge, connect with peers, and practice positive communication. |
| Active play and recreation | Sports, games, movement, fitness, wellness, or outdoor activities when available. |
| Lunch and reset | A meal break, quiet time, or transition time based on the final daily schedule and family arrangements. |
| Afternoon enrichment | Arts, music, design, science, clubs, themed activities, life skills, community projects, or guest experiences. |
| Leadership and reflection | Team responsibilities, group discussions, goal-setting, kindness challenges, and reflection on the day. |
| Pickup transition | Children gather belongings, clean up, prepare for pickup, and end the day in an organized way. |
School-break activities
Full days of fun and discovery
VIPERs Academy school-break days may include a changing mix of activities designed to keep children engaged, active, creative, and connected.
- Homework support or quiet learning time when needed
- Reading, writing, and literacy activities
- Science, STEM, building, and problem-solving challenges
- Arts, crafts, music, design, and creative projects
- Sports, games, fitness, wellness, and outdoor play when available
- Team-building activities and group challenges
- Leadership and life-skills activities
- Entrepreneurship and career-exploration activities for older students
- Seasonal themes, celebrations, and special events
- Community-service activities and local partnerships
- Guest speakers, demonstrations, or special workshops when available
- Field experiences when planned and approved
Special programs for every VIPER
VIPER Cadets — Grades 1–2
Cadets will enjoy guided, playful, hands-on activities that build confidence, creativity, friendship, curiosity, and positive routines.
VIPER Operatives — Grades 3–5
Operatives will explore challenges, projects, creative enrichment, teamwork, recreation, problem-solving, and growing independence.
VIPER Captains — Grades 6–8
Captains will have opportunities to strengthen leadership, life skills, confidence, creativity, community awareness, and future readiness.
Registration and family communication
Plan ahead with VIPERs Academy
School-break and special-program care may require advance registration so VIPERs Academy can prepare appropriate staffing, activities, space, supplies, food arrangements if applicable, and supervision.
Before each program period, families will receive confirmed information about:
- Dates and operating hours
- Enrollment availability and registration deadlines
- Location
- Age or grade groups served
- Fees, payment due dates, and cancellation policies
- What children should bring
- Snack or meal details, if provided
- Pickup and dismissal procedures
- Special activities, events, or required materials
- Any field experiences, transportation details, or permission forms
Weather and emergency closures
Keeping families informed
VIPERs Academy will communicate updates to families as early as possible if severe weather, a facility issue, public emergency, staffing emergency, or other safety concern changes the operating schedule.
Families will be notified through the communication methods listed in the VIPERs Academy Parent Handbook and program calendar. Possible communication methods may include email, text message, phone, website updates, and approved social-media channels.
Stay informed
Need care when school is out?
Join the VIPERs Academy interest list to receive enrollment announcements, school-break care updates, special-program information, family resources, and upcoming-event news.
Questions about school-break care or special programs? Contact VIPERs Academy at Info@vipersacademy.org or (717) 467-1852.
