When you walk into the room at the Windsor Community Center where the Romp-n-Learn is meeting, you can easily see why the kids love it so much. It is what so many kids are getting less and less of today – unstructured play and social time with their friends.

During a recent after-school session, 15 kids were doing all sorts of fun things – playing checkers, blocks, working on a big nature project – and several were gathered around a table working on their homework after a long day at school.

Debbie Anderson, recreation specialist for the town of Windsor, has been working on the program for about two years. “We get a lot of the same kids every year,” she said. “Our staff spends so much time with the kids, they have an amazing connection .” Anderson talked about how the staff members have gotten to know the children’s families and have even seen them come back for the summer programs.

Ashley Redick and Pat Howard are the staff members who pour their energy into these sessions everyday. Both are recent high school graduates and attending Manchester Community College. “We know each of our kids’ parents,” said Redick. “I know what each one of the kids likes and doesn’t .” The program’s staff is funded solely by the tuition that the parents pay, according to Anderson.

The town facility is perfect for a program like this one, as it has so much to offer . Redick described the children’s schedule: “The come here and have homework time, then arts and crafts, gym activities and the indoor playground. When it’s nice out, we go to the park outside,” she said.

Parents love the program, too. Beth had enrolled her daughter in the summer program , but then decided to keep her with the program into the school year. “I put my daughter in this program for three reasons: the cost difference, because of my respect for Ms. Debbie and because Sarah has a buddy in the program.”

Sarah, Beth’s 7-year-old daughter, was obviously enjoying herself, too, as she played a spirited game of giant-size checkers . “I get homework over with,” Sarah said. “I get to play with friends, but my favorite part is [my friend] Christina.”

Elke’s daughter Brianna is in the program , too. “I know that my taxes go somewhere ,” Elke said, in reference to the facility where her daughter enjoys this program every day. “They are very nice to her, and it is very affordable. Pat and Ashley play with the kids and work with them – they really initiate with the kids.”

Brianna loves it, too. “It’s fun, and they take care of me,” she said.

Anderson says the program really does hinge on the energy and passion that Howard and Redick bring everyday. “They come up with the arts and crafts and the recreation activity and give me the plan every week.”

This program, offered through the Windsor Recreation and Leisure Services Department, costs substantially less than most after-school programs and daycare. Parents can pay by the week or by the month.

Romp-n-Learn meets every weekday after school at 330 Windsor Ave. For more information, call 285-1990 .