Preschool & School-Age Child Care

Our School-Age Child Care Program aims to enhance the educational, emotional, and social development of children. Youth ages 5-13 (or up to 16 with special needs) can enroll in a structured program designed to expand their interests and horizons, and to develop positive attitudes toward others.  

The program is open weekdays during the school year from 2:30 to 5:30pm. On early release days, the program opens at 12:00pm.

Our Preschool-Age Child Care Program is licensed to serve children as young as 2.9 years old. The Mystic Early Learning Center will enroll preschool-aged children upon hiring a qualified Preschool Teacher. Stay tuned for updates!

Our child care programming includes:

• Age-appropriate programming for up to 55 children who are divided into two to three groups of younger, middle, and older youth.  
• Planned learning experiences with project-based curriculum in a number of areas, including math, poetry, crafts, group games, team sports, cooking, gardening and other club activities.  
• Highly qualified supervision of youth at a ratio of 1:13 or less. 

The MLC Summer and Vacation Camp gives low-income children from the Mystic Public Housing Development and nearby neighborhoods the opportunity to participate in enriching and fun activities during the summer months and school vacation weeks. Since 1972, the camp serves children of diverse ethnic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds with an exciting program of field trips, beach days, sports, arts and crafts, summer reading, and many other activities. 

The program welcomes children of all abilities, and those with special needs are given individual attention by trained staff.  

Breakfast, lunch, and snack are served.  

Parent drop off and pick up is required.

Summer Camp 

Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm from mid-June through August.  

Vacation Week Programming

Tuesday through Friday from 7:30am-5:30pm during December, February, and April school vacation weeks. Closed for the Monday Holiday. 

Check out the fun we had during Summer 2024 in our awesome newsletters!

Job training and employment of low-income teens is the focus of the Empowering Competent Youth Program (ECYP). Since 1998 ECYP has offered work experience, educational support activities, and leadership development for 12 to 16 in-school youth per year who are hired and trained as Peer Leaders in the MLC and MELC programs. 

Highlights of the program include:

• Ongoing academic support and mentorship to ensure youth progress a minimum of one grade level, achieve a grade level appropriate for their situation, and graduate from high school. 
• Valuable paid job experience. ECYP allows youth to explore different career options and to discover what training, education, and experience is necessary to be successful in these fields. Youth develop capacity in a variety of fields including early care and education, human services, child development, information technology, youth work, health care and mental health services.

Are you a High School student who is interested in applying to the ECYP? 

The Pre-Teen Choice Club (PTCC)/Teen Choice Club (TCC) - aka Night Groups - is a free drop-in program for youth age 8-14. Night Groups is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8pm October through May except on school holiday closures or during school vacation weeks. Youth who attend PTCC are served a nutritious snack and participate in activities such as games, homework help, mentoring support, arts & crafts, building projects, field trips, and so much more! 

2024-2025

Starts: Tuesday October 8th

Ends: Thursday May 15th

 BOH is a bridge between young authors from its home base in Somerville to  the literary arts community of Greater Boston area and beyond. BOH offers paid fellowships to young people who demonstrate commitment  and  to improving their craft. Fellowships include writing workshops,  publication & performance opportunities, professional development,  peer-mentoring/ facilitation training. 

Through BOH, under-­represented  young people exercise the skills necessary to follow their own path  between creativity self-exploration, and the financial &  experiential rewards for hard work. 

 The Mystic Learning Center offers a free, six-week summer basketball program for youth between the ages of 8-18.  The program takes place at the Mystic Housing Development every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm. Every player receives a team t-shirt and award at the end of the program. Training in basketball coaching is also provided.  

 Registration for the 2025 MLC/SHA Summer Basketball League will be available in May.

Stay tuned for more info!