Building Blocks Summer of Discovery
Building Blocks Learning Center, 253 S Franklin St #231, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
About
Building Blocks Summer of Discovery includes team sports, clubs, fun field trips, and interactive activities in art, culture, outdoor explorations, physical fitness, technology and innovation, and team building activities. Breakfast and a snack are provided each day, and families pack a lunch for children to bring. The program follows structured weekly themes and events, and each field trip adventure is planned to connect with the weekly theme, including destinations across the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton area.
• Ages: 6–12 years old
• Schedule: Nine-week program from June 15th to August 21st, with operating hours from 7:30am to 5:00pm
Building Blocks Summer of Discovery is part of Building Blocks, which was founded in 2001 with its first learning center on Route 315 in Wilkes-Barre and has expanded to a dozen early learning centers as of 2024. The organization’s mission is to nurture children through learning and play so they grow as successful and kind individuals prepared to excel in school and life. Building Blocks is licensed by the PA Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) for infants to pre-K care and is licensed and certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in all Preschool and Pre-K programs. Building Blocks is accredited through Keystone STARS with consistent STAR 4 ratings and has received the 2024 Pride of Place Award and the 2021 Emerging Business of the Year Award from the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. The program uses a research-based curriculum, small classroom sizes, daily reports with photos and a recap of each child’s progress, themed enrichment days for students and families, and a guiding principle of “conscious discipline” that emphasizes what students can do and teaches tools to respond to conflict with patience, reason, and kindness. Families can choose full-time and drop-in schedule options, and parents are welcome to sign up exclusively for individual field trips. Centers are designed to provide a warm and loving atmosphere. Building Blocks has relationships with local businesses and nonprofit organizations including Volunteers of America, Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), Fork Over Love, i2M, King’s College, Northeast Sight Services, Wilkes University, United Way, Wyoming Valley Chamber, Children’s Service Center, Early Learning Resources Center, Wyoming Valley Children's Association, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Maternal Family Health Services, and Diamond City Partnership. The leadership team includes Lake Ryan Gemzik (President CEO), Zubeen Saeed (Founder COO), Lauren Devers (Associate Vice President, Business Affairs), Allison Ritsick (Director of Programs & State Licensing), Neil Eddinger (Controller, Finance & Accounting), Medina Saeed (Chief of Staff, Office of the President), Zachary Berg (Manager, Marketing & Communications), Katie Cobleigh (Manager, Admissions & Family Services), Ryanne Harper (Staff Accountant, Finance & Accounting), Kelly Billig (Coordinator/Recruiter, Human Resources), Danielle Shutt (Coordinator, Admissions & Family Services), and Alyssa Speicher (Administrative Assistant, Operations).
Last updated July 12, 2026.
• Ages: 6–12 years old
• Schedule: Nine-week program from June 15th to August 21st, with operating hours from 7:30am to 5:00pm
Building Blocks Summer of Discovery is part of Building Blocks, which was founded in 2001 with its first learning center on Route 315 in Wilkes-Barre and has expanded to a dozen early learning centers as of 2024. The organization’s mission is to nurture children through learning and play so they grow as successful and kind individuals prepared to excel in school and life. Building Blocks is licensed by the PA Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) for infants to pre-K care and is licensed and certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in all Preschool and Pre-K programs. Building Blocks is accredited through Keystone STARS with consistent STAR 4 ratings and has received the 2024 Pride of Place Award and the 2021 Emerging Business of the Year Award from the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. The program uses a research-based curriculum, small classroom sizes, daily reports with photos and a recap of each child’s progress, themed enrichment days for students and families, and a guiding principle of “conscious discipline” that emphasizes what students can do and teaches tools to respond to conflict with patience, reason, and kindness. Families can choose full-time and drop-in schedule options, and parents are welcome to sign up exclusively for individual field trips. Centers are designed to provide a warm and loving atmosphere. Building Blocks has relationships with local businesses and nonprofit organizations including Volunteers of America, Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), Fork Over Love, i2M, King’s College, Northeast Sight Services, Wilkes University, United Way, Wyoming Valley Chamber, Children’s Service Center, Early Learning Resources Center, Wyoming Valley Children's Association, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Maternal Family Health Services, and Diamond City Partnership. The leadership team includes Lake Ryan Gemzik (President CEO), Zubeen Saeed (Founder COO), Lauren Devers (Associate Vice President, Business Affairs), Allison Ritsick (Director of Programs & State Licensing), Neil Eddinger (Controller, Finance & Accounting), Medina Saeed (Chief of Staff, Office of the President), Zachary Berg (Manager, Marketing & Communications), Katie Cobleigh (Manager, Admissions & Family Services), Ryanne Harper (Staff Accountant, Finance & Accounting), Kelly Billig (Coordinator/Recruiter, Human Resources), Danielle Shutt (Coordinator, Admissions & Family Services), and Alyssa Speicher (Administrative Assistant, Operations).
Last updated July 12, 2026.
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