A Space Just for Teens: Inside Building Twentyone in Mason (Holt School District)
One of the things we hear from parents all the time is this:
“My kid is too old for camps… but too young to just wander around town. What is there for teens to do?”
That’s exactly the gap Building Twentyone (b21) in Mason is trying to fill. After visiting the space recently, our biggest takeaway was simple:
Every city needs something like this.
Building Twentyone is a nonprofit teen center designed for students in 6th through 12th grades. It is a place where teens can go after school to hang out, work on homework, learn new skills, and just be somewhere safe and welcoming.
Short version, 5 things to know about Building Twentyone.
It’s a space just for teens (6th–12th grade)
Not little kid camps, not adult spaces, this is designed specifically for middle and high schoolers.
It’s open after school (2:30–6 PM)
Homework help, hanging out, games, creative time, it’s a place to go instead of “what are we doing tonight?”
It’s more than a hangout
Think: art room, podcasting, photography, games, goal-setting, and even things like gardening and outdoor adventures.
Teens helped design it
Including a high school-only space (because the kids asked for it)
It’s affordable (and flexible)
$49/year and if that’s a barrier, they’ll work with families so kids can still be there.
Bonus because this detail is important to middle and high schoolers
Free snacks. Always a win.
If interested after reading the 5 things we discovered while touring Building Twentyone, here is the long version because this space is PACKED with possibility.
What Happens Here After School
Three days a week, the teen center opens its doors from 2:30-6PM.
Students arrive from Holt Middle School and Holt High School thanks to transportation provided by the program, but teens from other schools are welcome too.
Once they walk in, it’s not a structured “program” in the traditional sense. It’s more like a community hangout space designed for teens.
Here is some of what you will find inside:
➡️ A large lounge and hangout area
➡️ Homework help and quiet study time
➡️ Art room with open creative space
➡️ Game room with board games and laptops
➡️ Podcasting and media room
➡️ Spaces for classes and workshops
➡️ Free snacks after school
One program students love is something called Focus 30 where once a week, teens spend 30 minutes on homework or studying, setting goals for the semester. If they reach those goals, the group celebrates with some sort of fun outing at the end of semester.
It’s simple, but it builds accountability and gives teens something to work toward.
Designed with Teen Input
One of the most interesting things about the space is that teens helped design it.
When Building Twentyone created their new building, they asked students what they actually wanted.
One request? A space just for high schoolers.
So there’s a room specifically for older teens where they can relax, study, and hang out without feeling like they’re sharing space with younger middle school students.
Because as anyone with both a sixth grader and a senior knows those worlds are very different.
More Than Just a Hangout
Throughout the year, Building Twentyone also hosts programs and classes that help teens explore interests and build life skills.
Recent and upcoming activities include:
➡️ Art workshops and open studio time
➡️ Clay projects
➡️ Podcasting and media creation (coming soon)
➡️ Photography
➡️ DJ and creative classes
➡️ Ninja-style obstacle fitness (mid-Michigan’s newest Ninja Gym)
➡️ Outdoor adventures and kayaking
➡️ Gardening projects
There’s even a culinary garden in the works where teens will help plant, grow, and care for vegetables.
It’s the kind of hands-on space where conversations just happen because sometimes teens open up more when their hands are busy creating something.
A Place Where Teens Belong
Building Twentyone operates as a nonprofit, which helps keep it accessible.
Membership is $49 for the entire year, but scholarships are available so that no student is turned away because of cost.
The goal isn’t profit, it’s connection.
It’s about giving teens a safe place to go after school with positive mentors and volunteers, along with opportunities to discover interests and a community where they feel seen
It seems when teens have a place to go, they’re less likely to end up somewhere they shouldn’t be.
Wait, but that is not all. Building TwentyOne is a resource families may not know about. Yet. One thing Taylor mentioned during the visit is that many families still don’t know this space exists.
Which is surprising once you see it. From the hangout lounge to the art room to the ninja gym next door, it’s the kind of place teens could easily spend an entire afternoon learning, creating, and just being kids a little longer.
And honestly? Communities everywhere could use more spaces like this.
You can learn more about programs, classes, and upcoming events on the Building Twentyone website.
Thanks Taylor for showing us around,
Learn more about the Building Twentyone annual fundraiser: Rhythm & Roots
April 23 at REO Town Clubhouse: https://buildingtwentyone.org/rrbenefit/
Grades: 6-12
After School Hours: 2:30-6 PM
Location: 1288 N. Cedar St., Mason (Mason address, yet the Holt School District)
Membership: $49/year (scholarships are available)
Want to learn more about Building Twentyone? Message us HERE
