It’s the place where teens can hang out with friends, play games or try some crafts and even cram in some study time too in St. Charles.
And now, it’s open to open to teens beyond the School District 303 boundaries.
The STC Underground Teen Center, operated by the St. Charles Park District, has expanded membership offerings to include teens who reside outside of the St. Charles School District 303 area.
We wanted to try and make it available to as many people as possible,” said Abby Fleming, recreation supervisor for teens/tweens at the St. Charles Park District.
Located in the lower level of the Baker Community Center in St. Charles, the STC Underground Teen Center is welcoming place for middle and high school students, whether they are joining the planned on-site activity or just meeting up with friends.
The center is open Tuesday through Thursday, from 2:30 to 8 p.m., Fridays 2:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays 1 to 9 p.m. There’s weekly drop-in events, where teens can pick up a controller for a video game competition, play a board game or try a new craft. There’s a ping pong table, billiards and air hockey too.
Tuesdays there’s a study hour encouraging students to complete homework and take a break with pizza and drinks too.
Through generous donations from the community the St. Charles Park District is able to offer programs and events, including treats and the food for study nights, at no or a very low cost.
Membership to the teen center is free for residents in the District 303 area and there’s an annual fee of $10 for nonresidents.
“We’re excited to give local teens an opportunity to come here,” Fleming said.
Students can always hang out and there are also classes and events offered too. New this fall is Apple Day at the Farm on Friday, Sept. 5, the teens are taking a field trip from 4-7 p.m. to St. Charles’ Primrose Farm to pick apples from the orchard, visit the barnyard residents and even learn how to make apple crisp in the new demonstration kitchen at the farm’s education center.
“We love partnering with the other park district facilities and show what the park district has to offer,” Fleming said.
The teens will even enjoy a wagon ride around the farm, and busing is available to and from the teen center. The event is free but advance registration is required.
In October the center has partnered with the St. Charles Public Library to offer a new program called Fright Night Flair on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The library is bringing supplies for participants to make some Halloween themed bracelets. The event is free, but registration is required.
And for those who prefer coding to crafts, the teen center’s Hour of Coding on Wednesday, Nov. 5 offers an overview to the basics of coding and a chance to try some challenges and design builds too.
“We try to bring in some programs with an education theme and some to have fun,” Fleming said.
The center will offer an introduction to Dungeons & Dragons with the multi-week class on Wednesdays in November. The class is free, but registration is required. The center will provide the materials and participants will have a chance to play a campaign.
“This is a great opportunity for new players and experienced players too,” said Dan Procaccio, teen center supervisor for the St. Charles Park District.
Fleming said food is always a big draw and she expects registration to fill up for the new Cookie Decorating Class Thursday, Dec. 11 where participants will have a chance to decorate cookies and take them home, if they can resist eating them in class.