The city of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department has unveiled a new after-school program starting Oct. 5 at the King’s Way Christian Center.

Designed for elementary and middle school students, the new program will offer Cape residents a free week if they register before Oct. 5. On top of that, parents will not have to pay a registration fee and if they do not like the program they are under no obligation.

“It gives parents a chance to sign them up for the first week and decide if they want to continue,” said Mark Cagle, youth center manager. “It is risk free.”

The Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department has been running after-school programs for 30 years and is not looking to make a profit, according to Cagle.

“This is a public service, we are looking to cover our costs and provide a quality program in the community,” he said.

Cagle said the program at King’s Way Christian Center, open from 2-6 p.m., will mirror all of the other city-run programs. It is $39 a week, which is significantly lower than other programs in the area, he added.

“It’s a beautiful facility,” Cagle said. “It will have homework assistance, sports, indoor and outdoor play, arts and crafts and different types of organized play.”

Parents can also ask their child’s school to transport students to King’s Way after school.

“If they request busing, most buses will take them from their respective school to King’s Way,” he said.

The Rev. Dan Lumadue has been with King’s Way Christian Center for two years. He said that to his knowledge, this is the first time the church has entered into a partnership with the city.

Children in the after-school program will utilize a room typically set aside for the children’s ministry. The ministry has three zones – Adventure Zone, Discover Zone and Challenge Zone – based on age group.

“It’s geared to be child friendly,” Lumadue said.

The church decided to offer its facility to the city as a way to give back to the community.

“The one thing we’ve been blessed with is our building. We have great facilities and saw this as an opportunity to share that building and partner with the city,” he said.

Lumadue said there are not as many after-school opportunities in the northeast Cape, where the center is located, and the new program will expand services to help families in the area.

For more information, call parks and rec at 242-3950.