Calling All Heroes: Suit Up for Summer at The Ashland Kroc Center!
Art Classes, Safety Town, RJ’s Spray Park, & the Summer Food Service Program—Your Summer Mission Starts Here!
ASHLAND, Ohio – Whether you’re a guardian seeking spiritual strength, a sidekick-in-training building artistic skills, or just a superhero family looking for a clean, safe base to stay cool and active—The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center of Ashland is your headquarters for heroic summer adventures!
“In true superhero fashion, we aim to empower everyday heroes—both young and old—through recreation, education, and the arts,” says Dan Lawson, PhD, Director of Community Relations and Development. “Inspired by Joan Kroc’s vision and The Salvation Army’s mission, our goal is to strengthen families and uplift individuals with programs that ignite potential and foster well-being.”
To help every hero rise to their potential, our dynamic team at the Ashland Kroc Center partners with local instructors and coaches to offer powerful programs and transformative experiences. Whether you’re creating your masterpiece, mastering safety skills in Safety Town, or unleashing your energy in RJ’s Spray Park, there’s an adventure waiting for you.
And remember: while all citizens are welcome, Kroc Center members enjoy heroic discounts on every mission. Your summer superpowers start here!
For adults and youth:
- American Sign Language Class (Ages: 8 – adult):
- Dates: Tues. & Thurs., June 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 and 26; Mon., June 30 & Tues., July 1 | Time: 4 – 5 p.m. | Cost: Non-members $130 Members – $100
- There is a minimum of 12 participants to have a class and a maximum of 20.
- The Joy of Ukulele (Ages: 10 and up)
- Dates: Tuesdays, June 10, 17, 24 July 1, 8, 15, 22 | Time: 4 to 5 p.m. | Cost: Non-members – $200 | Members – $160 (Ukulele rental included)
- Minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 participants.
- 3-D Abstract Art Series (Ages: Grades 4 – 8)
- Dates: Wed., June 11, 18 & 25 | Time: 1 to 2 p.m. | Cost: Members: $45 | Non-members: $60
- The Art of Zentangle Inspired Creative Drawing Series (Ages: 16+)
- Dates: July 15, 16 & 17 | Time: 5:15-6:45 p.m. | Cost: Members: $45 | Non-members: $60 | Material Fee: $5
Kids activities:
- RJ’s Spray Park opens on Monday, June 2 and will be free to the public Monday – Friday, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m.
- Plus, the Spray Park is open for party bookings. Please go to our party site at for more information and to check available dates: https://us.partywirks.com/storefront_express/main/vendor/krocashland/604/?customer=1.
- Summer Food Service Program FREE LUNCH to all children 0-17 years, on the back patio of The Ashland Kroc Center, by RJ’s Spray Park (rain location is the Community Room).
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- Dates: June 9 – August 8, Monday – Friday; | Times: 12 –12:45 p.m.
- Mondays to include special events/activities
- Sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Foodbank
- Club STUNT Sampler Sessions: Join us for special STUNT Sampler Sessions this summer, where girls ages 8-14 can meet the coaches, learn basic stunting skills, and experience the energy of Club STUNT firsthand. It’s a fun, no-pressure way to explore the sport before committing to a full season this fall.
- Dates: Tuesdays every two weeks: June 10 & 24 | July 8 & 22 | August 5 | Time: 6 to 7 p.m. | Cost: $15 per session for members and $20 for non-members
- Maximum of 25 participants only.
- Kroc Kids Safety Town (Age: Children entering Kindergarten in Fall 2025)
- Dates: July 21, 22 & 23 | Time: 3:30-5 p.m. | Cost: $35 per child
- Each participant will receive a bike helmet, certificate of completion, as well as learn valuable community safety basics over a 3-day period, including: fire safety, bus safety, bike safety, and more.
- Vacation Bible School (Ages: Kindergarten – 6th grade)
- Dates: July 14 – 17 | Times: 5 to 7 p.m.
- Theme: True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World
- Activities: Bible lessons, science experiments, games, snacks, and exclusive waterpark party on July 20!
- Cost: Free
Volunteer opportunities this summer:
We are looking for volunteers to help serve lunch to children during the 2025 Summer Food Service and to assist with the Kroc Kids Safety Town programs. A volunteer application and background check must be completed prior to desired volunteer activities.
- Summer Food Service. Some children rely on school lunches to get something to eat. Through the SFSP, we can provide them with a free nutritious lunch from June 9th through August 8th. It will be served from 12-12:45PM, Monday through Friday, outside at the Spray Park;
- View available times and register at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AA9AA23AAF9C07-54165527-2025
- Safety Town: From July 21 – 23, from 3:30-5 p.m. each day, children will participate in safety talks, town time adventures, and more! We are looking for volunteers to assist with safety crafts, town time volunteers to help children navigate through the town and follow safety instructions; and safety talk volunteers will help keep the children in learning mode.
- If you are interested in helping kids learn about safety, please sign up through the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AA9AA23AAF9C07-54165536-2025
Questions about volunteering? Please contact Ashley Hall, Event/Volunteer Manager, at (419) 281-8001.
To see the full offering of classes and activities at the Ashland Kroc Center now through August, please go to the Program section of the Ashland Kroc Center’s website and download a digital version, or stop by one of the Welcome Desks during regular business hours and pick up a hardcopy.
Online registration and membership information is available at: https://ashlandkroc.usaeast.org/s/registration
If you have any questions or would like to register for a class over the phone, please feel free to call the Ashland Kroc Center at (419) 281-8001.
To stay up-to-date on the latest classes and events, please follow Ashland Kroc Center on Facebook or @AshlandKroc on Instagram.
