Washington Heights Armory Expands Youth Programs

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS-INWOOD, NY — The nonprofit that runs athletic and educational youth programs at The Armory Track in Washington Heights is expanding its offerings for kids living in the Washington Heights, Inwood and Harlem neighborhoods.

Armory College Prep will expand its middle school program this year to include robotics education and is introducing a new after-school program for fifth graders, The Armory Foundation announced. The after-school program, called Great Minds, will focus on children's literary classics and robotics.

"I challenge you to find a child who isn’t interested in robotics," Alberto Aquino, director of youth programming at The Armory Foundation, said in a statement. "Today’s children are born into a world where technology is intertwined into every part of their lives, and robotics serves as a natural connection between science, creativity, and problem solving. Robotics appeals to their curiosity and engages students in a unique way."

The programs will advance the Armory's partnership with FIRST NYC — an organization that's dedicated to helping youth pursue studies and careers in science and technology. Armory College Prep students will participate in the FIRST New York City program to collaborate, build, test and program an autonomous robot. The Armory has hosted the FIRST NYC Robotics Competition for the past two years, and is set to host the event a third time in the spring on 2019.

One of The Armory Foundation's most popular new athletic programs will also be expanded. The "Little Feet" track and field program — launched last year — will now accommodate second graders. The program, which originally launched for third-to-fifth graders, promotes positive exercise habits early in a child's life.

"My favorite part of my job is hearing parents say that they are seeing positive changes in their child because of The Armory’s programs," Aquino said in a statement. "Not only are they showing physical, academic and emotional development, but they are seeing that exercise and learning can be great fun."

Parents interested in enrolling their children in the programs can reach out to Aquino (alberto@armorytrack.com) directly or call The Armory (212-923-1803).

Photo courtesy Armory Track