Santee Teen Center moves to Big Rock Park

The Santee Teen Center will be moving to Big Rock Park Community Services Building and open for business on June 13.  Currently, it is located on Santee Lakes Recreation & Preserve. June 12 is the official last day of school for the Santee School District. There will be no lapse in coverage.

“Originally, in 2001, we were in the Food 4 Less strip center,” said Chris Myers, recreation coordinator for STC. “In 2006 we moved to Santee Lakes.” 

The Santee Teen Center will be moving to Big Rock Park Community Services Building and open for business on June 13.  Currently, it is located on Santee Lakes Recreation & Preserve. June 12 is the official last day of school for the Santee School District. There will be no lapse in coverage.

“Originally, in 2001, we were in the Food 4 Less strip center,” said Chris Myers, recreation coordinator for STC. “In 2006 we moved to Santee Lakes.” 

The Big Rock Park location is in close proximity to Chet F. Harritt Elementary School. Its new location is 8115 Arlette Street in Santee.

“We have 63 current members and 25 kids a day,” said DeVerna Rogers, recreation supervisor of the community services department for the City of Santee.

Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Grossmont Union High School District will also provide free lunches this summer, not only for the STC kids but also Santee residents, and non-Santee residents, ages 0-18, or any minor who drops in at the new Big Rock facility.  No registration is required for the free lunch. 

“We outgrew the budget (at Food 4 Less) and Santee Lakes was able to subsidize our rent,” said Myers.

They offer Santee Day Camp for youth entering grades 1-5, X-Factor Camp for youth entering grades 6-9, and Jr Leader for youth in grades 10-12 but only up to the age of 17.

“We have the best deal in town,” said Rogers. “The bonus is a.m. care and p.m. care.”

On holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, the center is closed.

“The teen center has been an awesome program for my daughter,” said parent Amy Miller-Hale. “She gets to do homework, play outside and has met a lot of great friends. The staff is friendly and go above and beyond to make all the kids feel comfortable. They also do a lot of extra activities for the kids after hours which my daughter always loves to do. We have been blessed finding this program.”

Field trips include Padre games, trips to beaches such as La Jolla Shores, Aquatica San Diego, Boomers, bowling, and the Go Play, Get Fit Festival at Coronado Tidelands Park. 

Summer camps include Intro to STEM with LEGO©, Jedi engineering using LEGO©, tiny tot golf camp, archery, and scooter camp depending on the age of the minor.

The Big Rock Park will add opportunities to play basketball, sand volleyball, and tennis/pickle ball. It will also offer access to the Cowles Mountain trailhead to enhance their recreational offerings.

Check the Santee Teen Center website at  http://cityofsanteeca.gov/our-city/teen-recreation  for prices and to register for some, or all of the activities.