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The FORT After School Program

A FREE after-school program brought to schools, libraries and community centers where teens can unwind, connect, belong and thrive with other teens through creative, experiential workshops to relieve stress, build resilience, and promote mental wellness in a safe, healing space.

Upcoming FORT After School Programs

Find an upcoming program for your teen at one of these locations. Save the date!

Sterling Library:
Mondays Sept 16th - Oct 28th, 4:30 - 5:30pm

22330-S Sterling Blvd a117, Sterling, VA

Workshops:

09/16 - Chill with Therapy Dogs
09/23 - Laugh and Learn through Improv
09/30 - Stretch Away your Stress

Registration for The FORT After School at Sterling Library is open to teens ages 11-18 regardless of school assignment. Registration is for a three week series and space is limited. Next three week series opens soon. See below and register by using the link.

Eagle Ridge Middle School:
Wednesdays Sept 25th - Oct 9th, 3:45 - 4:45pm

42901 Waxpool Rd, Ashburn, VA

Please contact your school counselor to register.

Seneca Ridge Middle School:
Tuesdays Oct 8th - Nov 19th, 3:45 - 4:45pm

98 Seneca Ridge Dr, Sterling, VA

Please contact your school counselor to register.

Willard Middle School:
Thursdays Nov 7th - Nov 21st, 3:30 - 4:30pm

40915 Braddock Rd, Aldie, VA

Please contact your school counselor to register.

For LCPS Middle Schools, activity buses will be available for transportation home.

Registration at the Sterling Library is open to all middle schoolers in public or private school. See below and register by using the link.

If your child’s school isn’t yet participating in The FORT After School program, contact your school counseling department to inquire about possible future dates.

The FORT After School Experience

After a long day at school, students can participate in a series of healthy, experiential one hour workshops that will help them deal with the stresses of their day and promote mental wellness.

Workshops are offered one day per week as a series over 3 weeks, exploring different modalities in expressive arts, mindfulness, nature or animal assisted therapy, and movement/physical activity.

All workshops are designed specifically to focus on building resilience through positive messaging and holistic experiences that allow participants to build social connections, while learning new tools and strategies that can be used in moments of heightened anxiety, stress or sadness.

For middle schoolers ages 11 - 14.

Who can benefit from these workshops?

The FORT is a welcoming space for all students, and many can benefit from learning new ways to relieve stress, identify strengths, increase coping skills, increase connections to other peers and trusted adults, and have fun.

In particular, the FORT benefits students who:

Have expressed interest in learning more about mental health and social-emotional learning
Are experiencing mental wellness challenges and are in need of more emotional support
Could benefit from meaningful after-school activities
Are seeking more social connections and opportunities to make friends
Are Interested in trying out new creative coping activities, including yoga, art, music, interactions with animals, etc to relieve stress and anxiety.

Registration open to all Middle School Students

Sterling Library:
Mondays, Sept 16th - Oct 28th, 4:30 - 5:30pm

22330-S Sterling Blvd a117, Sterling, VA

Workshops:

09/16 - Chill with Therapy Dogs
09/23 - Laugh and Learn through Improv
09/30 - Stretch Away your Stress

For teens aged 11 - 18.

For more information, contact programs@library.loudoun.gov

Want to bring the FORT After School program to your location?

If you are interested in bringing this program to your community in Loudoun County, VA, please reach out to us at info@ryanbartelfoundation.org. The Ryan Bartel Foundation will work with you to secure the best dates, themes, and workshop modalities based on student interest and facilitator availability.

A marketing tool kit will be provided and each participating school, library or community center will coordinate registration and promotion of the program within their community with our support.

Space will be limited and registration will be required for each full series of three to six week sessions. Participants will be expected to commit to attending all sessions in order to fully benefit from the program.

“I enjoyed the FORT because the environment is very welcoming and it’s just a good place to be.”
- Teen Participant

More Programs to explore

The FORT

Teen Hangout

The FORT After School Program