The Ridge
Located at Bee Ridge Park, 4430 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, The Ridge Teen Center is a free after school drop-in teen center. Designed for youth ages 11-17, The Ridge provides a safe and supervised space where teens can engage in recreation, learning and fun.
Membership is required to attend. Teens can sign up for this free membership with their parent or guardian onsite. Once a member, teens can visit independently and enjoy all the amenities The Ridge has to offer. Hours of operation are typically 3-8 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some weekends and special events in addition. Check out the calendar below for the upcoming schedule.
How Can I Sign Up?
Parents must accompany their teens to sign up initially, however afterward, teens as free to come and go as they please during normal hours of operation. It's quick, easy and best of all, it's free!
The Ridge Ripple Effect: Mentoring Through Service
The Ridge Ripple Effect is a free youth mentoring program hosted at The Ridge Teen Center in Bee Ridge Park. This unique initiative empowers youth ages 10–15 to grow through mentorship, leadership development and community service projects. By pairing mentors with small groups of mentees, the program fosters supportive relationships, encourages positive decision-making and inspires participants to make a lasting impact in their community.
Together, mentors and mentees create ripples of change that reach far beyond The Ridge.
📍 Location: The Ridge Teen Center, Bee Ridge Park.
📅 Five-month cohorts | Meetings are the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 5:30-7 p.m., as well as monthly service projects.
For Mentees (Ages 10–15)
Join a supportive program designed to help you discover your strengths, build confidence, and make new friends while making a difference in your community.
As a mentee, you will:- Connect with mentors who care and listen
- Build leadership and decision-making skills
- Participate in fun, meaningful service projects
- Develop confidence and resilience
- Be part of a positive peer group
For Mentors
Your guidance can inspire the next generation. As a mentor, you’ll play an essential role in shaping young lives while strengthening our community through service.
As a mentor, you will:- Build meaningful, supportive relationships
- Share guidance and encouragement
- Help shape the next generation of leaders
- Give back to the community
- Create a ripple effect of positive change
Calendar
Click to view PDF version.