GEARS (Greater Elizabethtown Area Recreation & Community Services)

GEARS is a nonprofit youth, adult, and family-serving organization that has a 40+ year history of providing high-quality 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.

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.

GEARS' mission is to provide affordable and in some cases, free programming for our community so everyone has an opportunity to enjoy and benefit from our services. This year we would like to highlight the following programs:

Summer Playground:

This 8-week program held daily 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 that 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 that 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 mission to provide recreational, continuing education and social service activities/programs for children, youth and adults of the participating municipalities in a fiscally responsible manner.