First Crew

Since 2012, Lafayette Mentors has been working with 5th-8th grade boys in our after-school program. First Crew is designed to give kids a safe, fun environment to establish good habits and develop a sense of belonging to a group.

The program starts after school around 3:30pm. After a snack and a brief study session, everyone plays an organized sport - dodgeball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, etc. During free time the boys can choose fun activities like movies, board games, Minecraft (on our own custom server), arts and crafts, sports, and many other things. We end the day about 5:45pm. First Crew provides transportation home.

Fridays are Fun Fridays! We stay until 7pm which gives us time to share a meal together and have extra fun free time.

Throughout the year we have reward trips. To qualify, the boys have to follow all rules and demonstrate polite, respectful behavior and accomplish a specific academic goal.

During Fall Break we take a weekend trip to Holiday World in southern Indiana. For this trip, there is an additional qualification. The boys must demonstrate a willingness to push themselves and improve their performance in a one mile run.

Other reward trips and fun times have included the Children’s Museum, IMAX, Koteewi Aerial Adventure, Conner Prairie, Rascal's Fun Zone, Exploration Acres, Happy Hollow Park, Indiana Dunes State Park, Tippecanoe Battlefield, Indiana Beach and many other fun places.

  • Our 8,000 square foot facility features a gym with basketball hoops, a full kitchen, a theater room with tiered seating, a game room, individual study cubicles, and a computer lab with 14 computers.

  • Every new First Crew year starts in the Summer. This gives new recruits a chance to get used to the program and see if they'll be a good fit.

  • All transportation is provided by Lafayette Mentors. You don't need to worry about pick ups or drop offs.

  • How much does it cost to enroll? Nothing! First Crew is a privately funded program.

Admission Criteria

Potential recruits must meet the following requirements:

  • Entering the 5th grade at Sunnyside

  • Live within the LSC school district

  • Be referred by a 4th grade teacher or school counselor

Fun Facts

  • First Crew started in 2012 in what used to be Star Furniture’s discount store.

  • Over 180 boys have benefited from the First Crew program. A few of these now young men work at First Crew. Many others still remain in touch even all these years later.