Teen Connection - Fall 2022-2023

Teen Connection 2022-2023 Program Registration


The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department Teen Connection program will begin its After School registration on Monday, July 11, 2022.

The program is free, and limited spaces are available and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. The program start date is Thursday, July 21, 2022 and will serve students from Sixth to 12th grades.

The program is at the Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center, 304 W. Bell Ave. Program hours of operation will be 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and will follow the Las Cruces Public Schools calendar.

Programming will consist of academic assistance, a nutritional component in partnership with Families and Youth Incorporated, various recreational and creative activities, guest speakers, and age-appropriate enrichment opportunities, in a safe and helpful environment. Special events for teens will be scheduled throughout the school year to provide all community youth an opportunity to attend.

Pick up from program is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

You can register online at https://www.las-cruces.org/play, click on the online registration link. Registration also will be at the following locations during regular business hours:

  • Parks and Recreation Administration Office, 1501 E. Hadley Ave., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
  • Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center, 304 W. Bell Ave., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
  • A. Fielder Memorial Safe Haven, 906 N. Tornillo St., noon to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.    


There are limited spots available so register early. Telephone registrations are not be accepted. 

Questions? Please contact staff at Office: (575) 528-4235 Cell: (575) 339-5286 or email us at teenconnection@las-cruces.org

Founded as an extension of our Weed and Seed Out-of-School-Time Program, the Teen Connection Program offers FREE afterschool and summer programming for middle school and high school-aged youth grades 6-12.

Our educational and recreational programming is centered around five program areas:

  • Fitness and Outdoor Fun—Providing opportunities to move and exercise through team sports, cooperative games, and outdoor adventure activities.
  • Education and Technology—Supporting students in their educational goals through homework support, nutrition education, and introduction to computers, gaming, and technology.
  • Service and Civic Engagement—Involving teens in service opportunities that benefit their community; helping youth to find and use their voice through community involvement and fostering leadership.
  • Prevention and Life Skills—Facilitating teen discussions and educational presentations with guest speakers to promote prevention, teach life skills, and develop communication skills and healthy social behaviors.
  • Arts & Culture—Incorporating arts, music, and cultural programming to encourage new experiences through multiple media forms and understanding through exposure to different cultural perspectives.

Program Features

The Teen Connection offers multiple opportunities for teens to participate in a variety of community service projects throughout the year. Volunteering for these projects helps teens gain new skills necessary for the job market such as leadership, communication skills, dependability, time management, and decision making. Teens who volunteer perform better at school and build stronger resumes for college and scholarship applications.

During the academic calendar year we provide programming Monday through Friday  from 3:00pm to 7:30pm after school. We currently have three routes that we pick up students after school and drop off at Frank O'Brien Papen and Safe Haven Weed and Seed. 

Teen Hikes and Outdoor Adventure

Southern New Mexico has access to some amazing hiking and outdoor adventure spaces. From the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument to the White Sands National Park, our region is rich with fun and unique areas to explore. Through partnerships with community organizations such as Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and our own Recreation Coordinators, the Teen Connection Program can offer special events that get participants outdoors and connect with their natural world.

Schools we pick up from during Academic School Year

Sierra Middle School, Centennial High School, Zia Middle School, Arrowhead, Las Cruces High School, Picacho Middle School, Mayfield High School, and Vista Middle School.

Potential Opportunities:
Local hikes in the Organ Mountains or near Picacho Peak
Field trips to City of Rocks or hiking opportunities in Cloudcroft
Bike rides on area bike trails
River rafting on the Rio Grande

Field trips and special events such as these may require registration and/or a small fee with limited spaces available.