From school field trips, summer and spring break camps, character cameos and birthday parties to group tour opportunities, The History Center makes learning fun for all ages. Visit our website for more information.

Orange County Head Start is a nationally recognized leader in Early Childhood Education (ECE), providing early childhood pre-school to children from low-income families. Head Start offers comprehensive services that benefit the whole family, so children leave Head Start "ready-to-learn" and families become more self-sufficient.

Cooperative Extension develops community, school and 4-H volunteer youth programs that promote education about leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Making friends through 4-H helps young people understand and respect others and have a good time with more than 50 project areas from which to choose.

The Kids Cafe program provides nutritious meals and snacks to low-income children in an environment that is safe, accessible, and convenient. During the summer months, the Summer Feeding program, an extension of the National School Lunch program, serves nutritious meals to children and youth at playgrounds, parks, houses of worship, schools and community centers. For more information, contact an Orange County Community Center near you.

Great Oaks Village is an Orange County owned and operated foster care group home for 84 children ages 6 - 18 who have been removed from their homes by the State of Florida due allegations of abuse, neglect or abandonment. The children are placed according to their age in one of seven "cottage" style homes. They attend local public schools and receive educational, recreational, medical and counseling services through the program.

Community Action offers mentoring and youth development opportunities to minority youth through the Achievers Program. Students can participate in workshops, seminars, college and workplace tours, development sessions, cultural and recreational activities to motivate success and expose them to positive life choices.

This sports program uses basketball to engage teens in a character development curriculum during a time when many youth may be unsupervised. A tournament-style basketball league is utilized where youth play rounds of team basketball and they are offered nightly presentations on a variety of topics from job skills to cultural diversity. To find out more about this exciting Community Action program, contact an Orange County Community Center near you.

The REC Squad is a paid afterschool recreation program for elementary and middle school age students. The program is Monday-Friday taking place August 18, 2008- June 3, 2009. Time is Afterschool-5:30pm. A full day program will be offered on student holidays. The weekly cost for the program is $30 regular fee, $20 reduced lunch fee & $15 free lunch fee. Please visit the Afterschool Programs page for more information.

The REC Zone is a FREE afterschool recreation program for elementary and middle school age students. This program is conducted at parks with pavilions. Please note there are no indoor facilities at these parks. The program is Monday-Friday taking place  August 18, 2008-June 3, 2009. Time is Afterschool-5:30pm. The program will not be offered on student holidays. Please visit the Afterschool Programs page for more information.

The Rec N Roll program is a FREE mobile recreation unit created to bring activities/sports to “park poor” neighborhoods. The program is Monday-Friday taking place August 18, 2008-June 3, 2009. Time is Afterschool-5:30pm. This year the children will not only participate in the traditional sports and games, but will also have the opportunity to explore their Central Florida community through culture and the arts.  Space is limited per park. Please visit the Afterschool Programs page for more information.

The Orange County Parks and Recreation Division provides a wide variety of youth athletic programs. Visit our website for more information.

The Family Counseling Program provides counseling for families with adolescent children and teenagers, especially those who are truant, runaway or troubled.

The Youth Shelter is temporary housing facility, open 24 hours/7 days per week, for youth experiencing a variety of problems. Youth at the shelter may be homeless, runaways, or lockouts or may be seeking a cooling off period during a family crisis. Counseling services are provided, as well as referrals to other services needed by the family. (407-836-7626)