Game tables, a movie screen, a stage and a study center stocked with computers and a library are among the features at a new youth center in Fernandina Beach.
Early Impressions Development Center, which has two learning centers in Nassau County, opened The Vibe: A Youth and Recreation Center in March 2012.
The Vibe is open after school from 2 to 6 p.m., available for children ages 11 to 15. It is open to the public, ages 11 to 17, weeknights and weekends with the idea of keeping older teens “off the streets.” (See hours below).
School buses from all Fernandina public schools transport children to the center, and The Vibe has its own bus to pick up children from Yulee’s schools, Yulee EI Director Brittany Smith told me.
The center is in the Verizon shopping center on State Road 200 (A1A) next door to the Yulee Early Impressions, which actually has a Fernandina Beach address and is within the Fernandina schools district.
Smith said local instructors come in to the center’s dance and martial arts studio to teach craft classes; to read books and poetry; and to instruct official dance classes including ballet, jazz, tumbling and yoga. Karate is also offered.
The Vibe has four gaming systems, pool tables, air hockey, Foosball, ping-pong and board games. There is a stage stocked with musical instruments and a 10-foot movie screen and projector. The center also provides snacks and drinks for the children who attend the program.
Registration packets to enroll children in the after-school program are available at the Early Impressions centers. Smith said there is a weekly fee, but people will be able to do “drop-ins” when necessary.
In a Nutshell:
When: After school program is 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; open to the public 6 to 10 p.m. weeknights, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Who: After school program is for school children ages 11-15; bus service to the center will be provided for Fernandina Beach and Yulee children. Open to the public, ages 11 to 17, from 6 to 10 p.m. weeknights and on weekends.
Cost: When The Vibe is open to the public, it is $10 to stay and play all day. For the after school program rates, contact them.
Where: 464073 SR 200, Unit 14, Fernandina Beach, FL
For More Information: Call Early Impression Development Center at (904) 310-9730, go to their website at http://www.earlyimpressionsfl.com/ or visit the Vibe’s Facebook Page by clicking here.
