Ryan Zens knows how difficult it is to find good after-school care.

He struggled to find it for his own child.

That's why Zens is especially excited to be directing a new after-school program in Rapid City, the Fit-n-Fun After School Program at Just Jymnastics.

Just Jymnastics, owned by Alan and Tracy Ponto, moved into its new facility on Sturgis Road on Feb. 24. The Fit-n-Fun program will be in a suite at the new location.

Zens, 27, spent seven years working in after-school care at Ellsworth Air Force Base and is a board member of the South Dakota School Age Care Alliance. The Alliance, formed in 1999, works to promote quality out-of-school programs for children.

Zens strongly believes kids need after-school programs that provide physical activity and a positive atmosphere. The Fit-n- Fun program strives to meet that need, he said.

Through the program, kids will be picked up from all Rapid City public schools, as well as from St. Elizabeth Seton, Zion Lutheran, Black Hawk Elementary, Calvary Christian and St. Paul's Lutheran.

Once at Fit-n-Fun, kids can participate in outdoor activities, crafts or games. There will be a quiet place to do homework, as well as limited Internet access. Kids can also do such things as cooking, sewing and woodworking.

"I think it's important to put the life skills in there," Zen said.

The program also provides for one gymnastics class a week in the Just Jymnastics gym.

The program is for kids age 5 through 12, and the cost is $300 per month if the child participates in the gymnastics class and $250 if they do not.

So far, the program has 49 children, but more openings are available, Zen said.

For Zen, his main focus is making sure the kids have a safe place to be, while having the chance to remain physically fit.

"My goal is to keep the kids active," he said. "We're going to be constantly on the move."