• Kindergarten - Grade 5
  • Independent School District 196
  • Questions? Call 612-230-9622 

Overview 

Kids have a blast in the Y’s full-day recreational program on school release days and school vacation breaks. It’s safe, fun, full of age-appropriate activities that stretch kids’ minds and bodies – and gives them opportunities to practice caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and equity.

Kids are engaged and entertained

Each day is different – there’s a whole lot of things to do and places to go. Arts and crafts, group games, sports, indoor and outdoor play, themed projects and field trips are just some of the ways your child might spend their day.

Awesome field trips and fun themes

Field trip samples:

  • Rollerskating
  • Museums
  • Indoor Activity Parks
  • Bowling
  • Swimming
  • Movies
  • Seasonal Trips such as Pumpkin Patch or Sledding

School Locations

Cedar Park Elementary    
7500 Whitney Drive, Apple Valley

Register

Greenleaf Elementary  
13333 Galaxie Avenue, Apple Valley

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Highland Elementary  
14001 Pilot Knob Road, Apple Valley

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Southview Elementary    
1025 Whitney Drive, Apple Valley

Register

Westview Elementary    
225 Gardenview Drive, Apple Valley

Register

Forms & Documents

Hours

  • Drop-off 6:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
  • Program Day 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Pick-up 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Note: December 24 and 31 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Closed: Thanksgiving Day and Friday after, Christmas Day, New year’s Day, and Memorial Day, Labor Day

When the School District calls for a LATE START, Before Care programs are cancelled.

When the School District calls for an EARLY RELEASE, After Care programs are cancelled.

When school is CANCELLED due to extreme snow fall and/or poor travel conditions, YMCA Before Care and After Care programs are cancelled.

When school is CANCELLED due to severe cold temperatures, YMCA will run Release Day programs at:

  • Shannon Park Elementary, 13501 Shannon Pkwy, Rosemount, 651-423-7906
  • Oak Ridge Elementary, 4350 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Eagan, 651-683-6979
  • Cedar Park Elementary, 7500 Whitney Drive, Apple Valley, 612-720-9831

Inclement-weather Release Day Programs are open to children currently attending YMCA Before Care and/or After Care. Program hours are 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.


ISD 196 School Release Day Calendar

2024

  • October 4, 17, 18 Sites: Highland, Oak Ridge, Northview, Rosemount, Southview
  • November 7, 8, 11 Sites: East Lake, Greenleaf, Red Pine, Thomas Lake, Westview
  • November 27 Sites: Red Pine, Thomas Lake, Westview
  • December 23, 26, 27, 30 Sites: Cedar Park, Deerwood, Highland
  • December 24, 31  Sites: Cedar Park, Pinewood

2025

  • January 17, 20 Sites: East Lake, Red Pine, Thomas Lake, Westview
  • February 6, 7, 17, 18 Sites: Oak Ridge, Northview, Parkview, Rosemount, Southview
  • March 7 Sites: Echo Park, Glacier Hills, Parkview, Shannon Park, Woodland
  • March 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31 Sites: Echo Park, Glacier Hills, Shannon Park
  • April 25 Sites: Cedar Park, Deerwood, Highland, Pinewood, Shannon Park

2024-2025 School Release Day Schedule

CP - Cedar Park
DP - Diamond Path
DW - Deerwood
EL - East Lake
EP - Echo Park
FS - Faithful Shepherd
GH - Glacier Hills
GL - Greenleaf
HL - Highland
NV - Northview
OR - Oak Ridge
PV - Parkview
PW - Pinewood
RM - Rosemount
RP - Red Pine
SP - Shannon Park
SV - Southview
TL - Thomas Lake
WL - Woodland
WV - Westview


Cost

$56 per child per day. Late registration $66 per child per day.

Program Fees

Advanced registration is required to receive the standard program rate. Fees are due Monday, two weeks prior to the Release Day.

Registrations received later than Monday, two weeks prior to the release day, will result in a $10 premium increase in the school release day tuition. 

Payment

Registrations completed online can be paid at the time of registration or set up as an automatic electronic fund transfer (EFT). Payment is available for paper registrations via cash, check or EFT. You may authorize EFT on your registration form. EFTs will be processed on Tuesday two weeks prior to the week of the release day. You may login online to see your balance and make a payment.

Cancellations and Changes

YMCA of the North is committed to offering programs and services that strengthen youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Please review our refund policies, which support our programs and service delivery.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

What to Bring to School Release Days

(please label all belongings)

  • Lunch
  • Beverage and two snacks
  • Appropriate clothing for outdoor play and art projects
  • On swim field-trip days, a swimsuit, towel and lock

*The YMCA is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Please leave toys and valuables at home. In the event of low enrollment (less than 10 participants) the day may be cancelled. You will be notified five days in advance.