Rocksolid not your typical after-school program for teens

May 16-Around 2:45 p.m. each school day, a sprinter van marked "Support Clark County Youth" winds its way through Battle Ground, Hockinson and Brush Prairie. It picks up middle- and high-schoolers and drops them off at Rocksolid Teen Center.

There, they can take part in a wide range of after-school activities, including Hula-Hoop pickleball, making homemade pizza and covering the sidewalks in colorful chalk art.

At first glance, it might seem like a typical after-school program for teenagers, but for the organization's Executive Director Grant Gilson, the work at Rocksolid Teen Center fills an important need in central Clark County.

"In Vancouver, their populations are well served in that area. But out here, it's sort of a desert for what kids between the ages of 12 and 18 can do after school," Gilson said.

The center at 12919 N.E. 159th St. in Brush Prairie is attempting to fundraise $40,000 to plan programming for the 2026-27 school year. That goal may seem out of reach, but Gilson framed it as the equivalent of 1,000 residents donating $40.

So far, Rocksolid has raised the equivalent of 37 residents donating that amount.

"We wanted to make it easily accessible for people in the community to contribute to Rocksolid and the teens we serve," Gilson said. "We have quite a ways to go."

Rocksolid serves 20 teens daily by providing after-school activities. Often, a simple conversation with a volunteer after a difficult school day can completely change a student's outlook, Gilson said.

Research recently compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics suggests that participation in extracurricular activities may increase students' sense of engagement or attachment to their school and thereby decrease the likelihood of school failure and dropping out.

Gilson worries that after-school activities and spaces may be in jeopardy as Battle Ground Public Schools works to address a $20 million budget deficit caused by triple levy failures and state funding shortfalls. The district is in the process of laying off staff and trimming programs, including athletics and extracurriculars. For example, the middle school activities budget will be eliminated, busing for athletic competitions will be reduced and sports participation fees will increase to $150 per sport.

"A lot of the school districts are facing hardships," Gilson said. "Hopefully, we can help out too and can offer some of these teens that space to explore different passions."

This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.

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