After-School Program and Summer Program at Bev’s House
The Haven’s Children’s Program provides a safe, supportive space for kids who currently live or have lived in our shelters. Through our After-School and Summer Programs, children learn, play, and grow in an environment designed to build confidence, nurture relationships, and create joyful memories.
Each day offers opportunities for hands-on learning, outdoor adventures, creative expression, and life skill development. These consistent, caring experiences help children regain a sense of normalcy and imagine new possibilities for their future. At the same time, parents have time to focus on work, stability, and next steps for their families.
After-School Program
During the school year, the After-School Program runs Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Bev’s House, welcoming elementary-aged kids from families who are current or former Haven shelter guests.
Each day begins with a healthy, filling snack or light meal, followed by a mix of activities that balance learning, creativity, and play. Staff provide homework help and one-on-one academic support, ensuring kids have a quiet space to focus before transitioning to enrichment activities.
Children take part in everything from swim lessons at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center to baking at King Arthur Baking, art projects with Artistree, and outdoor play on the Haven campus.
Recent partnerships and activities have included:
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Nature hikes and mindfulness outdoors
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Art, music, and baking workshops
Beyond the fun, the program focuses on emotional regulation, social skill building, and teamwork. With a high staff-to-child ratio, children receive the individual attention and encouragement they need to thrive.
“My kids love this program, it’s better than any other they’ve been to. Thank you to everyone who makes it possible.”
– Parent of children in the program
Summer Program
The Haven’s Summer Program provides full-day care for nine weeks, giving kids an unforgettable season of exploration and growth. Each week offers new themes, outdoor adventures, and community connections, from hiking and swimming to creative workshops and visits to local attractions.
Highlights from this past summer included:
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Visits to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) and Polar Caves
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Rock climbing, tubing on the Connecticut River, and therapeutic horseback riding at High Horses
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Hands-on nature exploration and creative art projects
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Celebrating milestones, birthdays, and personal achievements together
The Summer Program serves children ages 5 to 16, offering a structured and enriching experience where laughter, teamwork, and discovery come together every day.
A Place to Belong
For many children, this program is more than after-school care or summer camp. It is a space to feel seen, supported, and connected. Our trauma-informed approach helps children develop self-regulation, resilience, and the confidence to face new challenges.
Every activity, from baking bread to catching frogs in the pond, is designed to foster curiosity, community, and hope.
Meet the Team
Sarah
Sarah is the Children’s Program Supervisor, guiding the program with two staff members. Her passion for working with kids and advocacy began in college, deepened while teaching English abroad, and continued through two years as a classroom teacher while earning her Master’s in Education. She also mentored youth facing systemic challenges—cementing her commitment to empowerment, equity, and creating supportive spaces for all children. What Sarah loves most about children is their natural curiosity, joy—and the fun of being silly alongside them.
Sky
Sky is a Children’s Program Associate, and her role largely encompasses designing programming for children in our care. The goals of the program are to make children feel safe, seen, and heard, all while working on regulation and social skills. Sky started working with kids through environmental education, where she would go into classrooms and teach nature-based lessons to elementary-aged students. From there, she has worked both in residential facilities as a “Nature’s Classroom” teacher and as a lead preschool teacher at a nature- and play-based school. Sky’s favorite thing about working with kids is experiencing new things together and being a part of each “aha!” moment.
Alex
Alex is a Children’s Program Associate. She is currently working on her Master’s in Social Work at Simmons University and has a passion for working with kids. This passion started from helping out in her mom’s first- and second-grade classroom during her school breaks and grew through her work in summer camps, babysitting, and working in family shelters. What Alex loves most about working with kids is their curiosity about the world around them, their thirst for knowledge, and the excitement that comes with it.
