THE BACK PACK
What is
OVERVIEW
What do kids carry with them almost 24/7 throughout the school year? You’re right, a back pack! Well, we have our own meaning for a “back pack”. We say Back stands for Before & After Care Kids…and we have a Pack of them at our program!
The Back Pack is designed to offer kids a different approach to before and after school care. With all of the innovative features of our “New Hope Church” facility and a staff who will work closely with the kids to provide structure, guidance, and expert advice, the Back Pack is a place your kids will want to be. We believe that it is important to provide a stimulating, encouraging, fun family-style atmosphere where everyone is safe, treated with care and respect, and where kids, parents, and staff work together as a “community”.
MISSION
Statement
The overall mission at The Back Pack is to invest in the hearts and minds of young children through fun and rewarding activities to help them grow and mature so they may be better prepared for full and rewarding lives. Through awesome programs that the children, parents, and staff are excited about kids enjoy new friendships, learn valuable skills, and live out new adventures.
OUR STAFF
AMY DUARTE
The Back Pack Director
The staff at The Back Pack includes professional educators, university graduates/students, and upper-class high school students. Activity instructors are qualified professionals or skilled students who are aware of the special responsibilities in dealing with younger children. A majority of our staff members are employed year-round with our summer day camp program, Camp Whatakid.
Our staff is well trained in safety practices, and our lead staff is certified and trained in CPR, First Aid, Medication Administration, and EpiPen procedures. The Back Pack is licensed and approved by the state of Virginia as a religious exempt organization. All Fire and Health Inspections, student/staff ratios, staff health, and background screenings meet and exceed all code requirements.
As a group, our staff is a dynamic team and makes our before and after care program a special place for kids.
Amy has been working in the education field for nearly two decades. As one of the programs original employees, Amy has been with New Hope Church since 2008. When Amy began at New Hope she started as a lead preschool teacher and a counselor for The Back Pack and Camp Whatakid. Over the years, she has moved into different leadership roles with both Camp Whatakid and The Back Pack program. Amy gained extensive knowledge in the realm of child development and behavioral management while she studied Elementary Education and Psychology at Southeastern University.
Amy’s passion for serving children started at the young age of 12 years old. At this time, she began going on mission trips with her youth group at Word of Life. Her heart and passion is to share the love of Jesus with children both here and around the world. In 2005, Amy served as an intern in Nicaragua working for a mission organization called King’s Castle, with the main goal being to serve the children. During this time, she was able to put her leadership and organizational experience to work as she led youth groups from the U.S coming to serve.
Amy also has a passion for developing her staff and their leadership skills. She knows the importance of having a staff that is well equipped and set up for success. She plans yearly, as well as weekly, training with the employees to make sure that the staff is constantly growing and learning.
HOURS
& Areas of Service
Our doors open for before school care at 6:30 am. The after school care program closes at 6:15 pm. We provide transportation to and from your child's school. You may register for before school care, after school care, or both before and after care.
We provide care to students, K-6 grade, attending the elementary schools within the South County Pyramid including:
Greentree
Halley
Laurel Hill
Newington Forest
Silverbrook
Sangster
We are excepting students from schools outside the six listed above for full-day care ONLY. That means, if schools open for in-person learning we will NOT be dropping off or picking up from any other schools.
Schools serviced is subject to change at the discretion of Silo Center Administration if enrollment minimums are not met.
Location / Directions
The Back Pack is located at New Hope Church's Silo Center at 8905 Ox Road in Lorton, VA, just 2.5 miles north of Occoquan on Rt. 123. We're right next to the Shoppes of Lorton Valley.
Employment Information
The Back Pack firmly believes that a child's before and after school experience is only as good as the talent and dedication of its staff. We are committed to hiring only the best employees who are uniquely qualified to carry out the mission we have set forth.
If you are interested in shaping the lives of our students, we encourage you to either phone or e-mail us to learn more about the exciting opportunities we have available.
Phone: 703.971.4673
E-mail. info@thebackpackonline.com