What's New?
Thornton Community Center
Youth & Teen Summer and Fall Programs
Please see our Activities Guide for enrichment opportunities:
Fall-Winter Activities Guide (Spanish)
Additional Opportunities
| Thornton PD After School Club Ages 7-18 | The After School Youth program offers a safe and engaging after-school space for juveniles to build positive relationships with members of the Thornton Police Department (TPD). This initiative fosters community trust, mentorship, and personal development through interactive activities such as sports, arts, and workshops on life skills and conflict resolution. Participants will have the chance to engage with TPD officers in a relaxed environment, allowing them to see law enforcement as allies rather than adversaries. With a variety of activities; Soccer, Basketball, Arts and crafts, etc. |
| Youth & Teen Night- Haunted Halloween Ages 11-17 | Join us after-hours at the Thornton Community Center for a frightfully good time at this fun and safe place to hang out with friends! Come in costume and participate in a scavenger hunt for tricks and treats. The gym will also be open and light snacks will be provided. Thornton’s Youth and Teen Nights are designed to be inclusive of all abilities including those with physical and cognitive disabilities. Additional support is available through the AIR Program. Refreshments are included. For more information, call 720-977-5901. |
| Youth & Teen Night- All Things Fall Ages 11-17 | Join us after-hours at the Thornton Community Center to celebrate fall with fun crafts, activities, and games. The gym will also be open and light snacks will be provided. Thornton’s Youth and Teen Nights are designed to be inclusive of all abilities including those with physical and cognitive disabilities. Additional support is available through the AIR Program. Refreshments are included. For more information, call 720-977-5901. |
Please see our Winter-Spring Activities Guide, coming November 11, for licensed spring break and summer camp opportunities.
Spring Break Camp
March 23-27, 2026
Aligns with Adams 12, Mapleton, and 27J spring breaks.
Registration opens at 7 a.m. on November 23.
Partial-Day Kid Camps
June 1-August 7
Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, for Thornton residents and Thursday, February 5, for non-residents.
Preschool Kid Camp (ages 2 1/2-6)
At this camp children will practice letters and letter sounds, sight-words, numbers, colors and shapes in addition to center play and doing projects, fitness and outside play.
School-Age Kid Camp (ages 5-10)
Send your school-age child to enjoy crafts, cooking projects, fitness, games and outdoor fun.
Full-Day Escape to Adventure and Counselor Cadet
June 1-July 31
Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, for Thornton residents and Thursday, February 5, for non-residents.
Escape to Adventure
Give your kids (ages 5-13 & completed kindergarten) a fun-filled summer at Escape to Adventure. They will have fun using the recreation facility, going on field trips, playing games, participating in sports and doing projects and arts and crafts.
Counselor Cadet
Youth and teen (ages 13-16) receive training, practice and hours to become a youth program aid. They work alongside the counselors and youth to develop their skills while also engaging in camp activities.
This FREE drop-in program will give children the opportunity to enjoy:
Coloring & Crafts I Board Games I Group Games I Sports Equipment I Puzzles & More
A free healthy snack is provided for everyone under 18 years of age!
For more information, please contact Jenny Dowdell at Jenny.Dowdell@ThorntonCO.gov or 720-977-5934.
Free Daytime Drop-In Sports Program
This free daytime drop-in sports program meets Monday-Thursday in June and July at the Sky Park Amphitheater. Weather Permitting. Bring water, sunscreen, bug spray and a hat. FREE for youth of all ages!
For more information, please contact Jennie Christoffel at Jennie.Christoffel@ThorntonCO.gov or 720-977-5916.
This free, supervised summer program supports youth ages 11-17 to help others in their community while earning volunteer credit. Volunteer Corps staff transports and supervises the group of youth volunteers at designated projects each week.
For more information, please contact Jenny Dowdell at Jenny.Dowdell@ThorntonCO.gov or 720-977-5934.
"It creates such great self-esteem and provokes responsibility; it's great."
- Ryan Martin
"It's a great opportunity to meet new people and have a blast giving back."
- Ashley Latimer
Youth & Teen Engagement Programs
Calling all civically minded youth! Do you have ideas for youth and teen activities and volunteering? Would you like to be a leader in your community? The Thornton Youth Council (TYC) is accepting applications for the school year. Join us as we think outside our box to come up with and create activities to help our community.
You must be in middle school or high school, live in Thornton, maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA and be drug and alcohol free. Contact Jennie Christoffel at 720-977-5916 or Jennie.Christoffel@ThorntonCO.gov for more information.
Executive Council
- President: Messiah Williams
- Vice President: Ayan Agarwal
- Secretary: Ronald Lai
- Recorder: Lydia Lai
Initiatives
Donations
| Locations | Donations are accepted at:
|
| Care Kits | TYC accepts donations of gallon-sized resealable bags, socks, underwear, diapers, toiletries, shelf stable snacks and bottled water to assemble into Care Kits. Care Kits can be picked up by community members to help distribute to those experiencing homelessness. This is an opportunity to help by either/both donating items and/or distributing assembled Care Kits to those in need. (Accepted Year-Long) |
| Post Pals | TYC accepts scarf donations to deliver in the community to spread the love on Valentine’s Day. (January and early February for Valentine’s Day Distribution) |
| Monster Makeover | TYC accepts accessory and costume donations of all sizes to offer from their booth at Harvest Fest. This is an opportunity for the community to receive free Halloween costumes. (September for October Distribution) |
Tutoring
Individual TYC members tutor in various subject areas. Contact Jennie Christoffel at jennie.christoffel@ThortonCO.gov to learn more, see if tutoring is available, and connect with a member to coordinate schedules.
Individual TYC members tutor in various subject areas. Contact Jennie Christoffel at jennie.christoffel@ThortonCO.gov to learn more, see if tutoring is available, and connect with a member to coordinate schedules.
Are you looking for a group of like-minded booklovers to share your thoughts, participate in conversations and compete in quiz and trivia- style games? Join Generational Opportunities Book Strikers and read books to enjoy the activities. Future books will be voted on by the group(s). This is a free club and light refreshments will be provided.
Please call 720-977-5916 for information regarding future books and available copies.
Club Schedule
| Date | Time | Location | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, October 11 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Thornton Community Center | Artemis Fowl The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer |
| Saturday, November 1 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Thornton Community Center | Artemis Fowl The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer |
| Saturday, December 6 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Thornton Community Center | Artemis Fowl The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer |