Elmwood Park Recreation Youth Programs

Elmwood Park Recreation Youth Programs include activities such as basketball, soccer, floor hockey, and crafts classes, along with a Water Spray Park and several seasonal events. The programs also offer a before and after care program during the school year, a day camp program and after camp program in the summer, and a Youth Police Academy that uses demonstrations, activities, and teamwork. Holiday events include an Easter Egg Hunt, a Halloween Contest, a visit from Santa, and a Holiday tree lighting ceremony, and the Youth Police Academy includes police vehicle and equipment demonstrations, K-9 unit presentations, mock investigations or forensic activities, drill exercises and obstacle courses, visits to courts, dispatch centers, or training facilities, a helicopter demonstration, and self-defense training.

• Ages: 8–16 years old
• Schedule: Recreation Department hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm, with an ongoing before and after care program from September through June, summer day camp and after camp programs, and Youth Police Academy camp hours from 9:00am to 3:00pm
• Price: Recreation Membership: Adults: $70; Full-Time Students: $50; Seniors (65+): $40.

The Recreation Director, Dale Fava, leads Elmwood Park Recreation Youth Programs and has over a decade of experience in educational administration and student management, along with a background in athletics and community program coordination. Recreation Complex membership includes use of the weight room and gym when available with a photo I.D. card, and members must present this card when entering the building. An adult must accompany a child under the age of 12, and both must have I.D. cards, when the child is not participating in an adult-supervised activity.

The Elmwood Park Youth Police Academy is an educational program designed to help children and teens learn about law enforcement, public safety, leadership, and community responsibility in a positive, hands-on environment. Its mission is to build trust between young people and law enforcement while encouraging confidence, responsibility, and positive decision-making, and it is open to Elmwood Park children ages 8 to 16.

Last updated July 6, 2026.