GEARS (Greater Elizabethtown Area Recreation & Community Services)

GEARS provides the following services:

Recreation: Our recreation programs include something for all ages. Programs include aquatics, youth and adult sports leagues and camps, dance and gymnastics, summer playground, Camp Ladybug, fitness classes, continuing education, and community events such as Fall Festival, Holiday Parade, Eggstravaganza, and so much more.

Kids Center: Our childcare services include before and after-school childcare, summer camp held at Elizabethtown Area School District facilities, and preschool and kindergarten programs held at the GEARS Community Center.

Senior Center: In cooperation with the Lancaster County Office of Aging, GEARS operates a senior center inside the GEARS Community Center. Services include arts and crafts classes, entertainment, adult education programs, special events, health and fitness activities, nutritious meals, and most importantly, opportunities for fellowship.

2nd Floor Renovations - Exciting News! 

GEARS is pleased to announce that renovations to the second floor of the GEARS Community Center are scheduled to begin in January 2026. Supported by state and local funding, this renovation will allow us to expand public recreation opportunities—including fitness classes, youth programs, adult enrichment, childcare services, and more. (See attached pdf of renovations) 

The renovated area will feature:

• Five classrooms totaling approximately 4,500 sq. ft.

• A customer lounge

• Restrooms

• Storage space

The project is expected to take up to five months. We’ll share construction updates and potential impacts via our website, E-News, and social media. This project has been years in the making, and we’re excited for the expanded opportunities it will bring to our community. 

— Executive Director, David Wendel

 We would like to highlight the following programs:

Summer Playground: This 8-week program is held daily and includes structured arts and crafts activities, games, tournaments, sports, and special events for children ages 6 to 14. The fee per week for Summer Playground is less than one night at the movies for one person.

Camp Ladybug: This summertime tradition has a long history and benefits individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. Campers participate in a variety of fun activities and special events throughout the summer. Most importantly, they have the opportunity to interact with caring staff and other friends while keeping their bodies and minds active. This program is FREE!

Senior Center: Our senior center is open daily from 8:30 am to 4 pm and serves individuals who are aged 60+. Although GEARS receives partial funding from the Lancaster County Office of Aging, it is not enough to support its entire operation which includes daily meals, health and fitness activities, and educational programs. Most importantly, our senior center includes caring staff who are available to meet the needs of our senior participants. The senior center is a FREE service!

We hope you will consider supporting our programs so we can keep them affordable for all in our community to enjoy. Thank you for your consideration and support of GEARS. 

Who We Are

GEARS is a nonprofit youth, adult, and family-serving organization that has a 25-year history of providing high-quality and affordable recreation, childcare, and senior center programs. Our service area includes Mount Joy Township, Elizabethtown Borough, East Donegal Township, and West Donegal Township. GEARS provides its services to thousands of participants annually. Our mission is to provide high-quality and affordable programs to our targeted community partners. Generations of families have benefitted from our services, and through our community’s support, we will continue to offer these programs and grow our operations for future generations to enjoy.