After-School Progam for Children

The Landers is an affordable after-school program for children in Denham Springs open to kids ages 5-15 who come from underserved areas of the parish.

Our Landers children receive tutoring and homework help.

And, of course, they also get to play and have fun.

We also focus on developing character skills and teaching children how to live off of the land.

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Psalm 37:3

Two LANDers After-School Children in the Vegetable Garden — Planting a Vegetable Garden

Child in the LANDers After-School Program with Beans — Showing the Beans She Grew

Children in the LANDers After-School Program Learn to Build — Learning to Build a Chicken Coop

More than an After-School Program

These days, many children have working parents who are unable to be home when their children get out of school.

We wanted to create a program to help both the parents and the kids.

We knew kids needed help with their homework and a safe place to go.

But we also wanted to give the children opportunities to learn how to grow vegetables and how to build a chicken coop and gather chicken eggs.

One year, the children took lentil sprouts and eggs to the Mattie Street Art Market to sell.

Along with children in our arts program, Young Artist’s Academy, the kids set up their booth, negotiated prices, and walked around advertising their artwork and fresh produce.

These lifelong skills will teach children to love the land and hopefully will promote healthy eating, too.

Plus, it’s fun to dig in the dirt, learn to use tools and build things, and watch your hard work pay off.

The Landers children feel great joy when they see the fruits of their labor and get to taste what a super fresh tomato tastes like.

And, they are making lifelong friends!

What if Every Child Knew They Mattered?

LANDers After School Children Pose for a Photo in the Garden — Making lifelong friends

Kids playing ball on the playground — Playing ball after school

LANDers After School Child Poses with a Rooster — Learning all about raising chickens

What if every child had hope to grow on?

Children matter.
Each one is a unique gift from God.
Formed by God.
Known by God.
Even before they were born.

It breaks His heart when children
have to take care of children.

So, He birthed the Landers —
a place where children can be children.
Nurtured by adults who love them. Tutored. Fed.
Taught how to live Christ-like lives.