Teen Programs & Drug-Free Youth

Pre-registration is not required; drop-in program; some programs require a D-Fy membership.

Grades: 6-12
Fee: Achieve Anything membership or daily drop in fee
Time: 4:30-5:15 p.m. | Location: MFCC

Oct. 30 Red Ribbon Week: Laser Focus (D-Fy Event) - A glow-themed laser tag tournament centered on teamwork, strategy and making positive choices. Features glow games, music, food and prizes.

Nov. 5 - Game On & Give Back - An afternoon of esports and recreation tournaments combined with a community service project. Teens can compete in Mario Kart and NBA 2K, then help Social Services prepare for upcoming holiday giving events.

Dec. 15 - Holiday Bash (D-Fy Event) - Celebrate the season with music, team games, hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating and holiday-themed competitions.

Jan. 12 - New Year, New Challenge - A wellness and goal-setting program featuring fitness competitions, a smoothie bar, vision board creation and team-building challenges.

Feb. 9 - Creator's Studio - A creative afternoon where teens choose from a variety of DIY projects including candle making, friendship bracelets, custom tote bags or clay creations while enjoying music and refreshments.

March 5 - Spring Splash (D-Fy Event) - Celebrate warmer weather with outdoor water games including water balloon battles, slip-and-slide relays, inflatable games and frozen treats provided by the North Port Police Department.

April 22 - Community Clean Up Challenge - Celebrate Earth Month and Kick Butts Day with a community clean-up event at Butler Park. Work together to improve a local park while learning about environmental stewardship and giving back to your community.

May 21 - End-of-School Celebration at NPAC (D-Fy Event ) - Celebrate the end of the school year with a pool party at the North Port Aquatic Center featuring music, games, food, awards and prize giveaways.

Teen Talk gives students a place to speak up, ask questions and connect with people who can help them prepare for what comes next. Each interactive session brings teens together with local organizations for honest conversations about topics that affect their lives.

Discussions may explore school, career paths, personal growth and ways to become more involved in the community. Teens can share their perspectives, learn about useful resources and hear from others who understand the opportunities and challenges they face.

Teen Talk is also a chance to meet other students, discover new interests and build confidence in making decisions for the future.

Drop-ins welcome, no registration required!

Grades: 6-12
Fee: Requires membership or pay daily drop-in rate
Location: Morgan Family Community Center, 6207 W. Price Blvd.
Time: 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Dates: Thursdays

Nov. 19 - Navigating adolescence and discovering D-Fy
Join Kevin Mace, D-Fy Coordinator for a conversation about the changes young people experience as they grow into adulthood. Learn about the Drug Free Youth (D-Fy) program, its membership benefits and how to join.

Feb. 18 - Exploring Careers with the City of North Port
Discover how your interests could lead to a career with the City of North Port. Aquatics Manager Devon Poulos and Recreation Manager Shelby Mendelson will highlight opportunities in Parks & Recreation and other city departments, with insights for young people interested in public service. 

May 20 - Building Smart Money Habits
Learn how everyday money decisions can help you plan for the future. Bank of America Vice President Judith Johnson will discuss budgeting and saving, including how compound growth can help savings increase over time.

Aug. 26 - National Guard "Night Vision" Program
Explore how informed choices can help you stay safe and avoid substance use. Sgt. Latoya Samuels of the Florida National Guard Drug Reduction Outreach team will lead this presentation focused on substance use prevention.

With over 13,000 school aged residents in North Port, D-Fy provides meaningful opportunities to lead, mentor and make a positive impact in their schools and across the broader North Port community. Through mentoring programs, high school students support and guide middle schoolers during a pivotal stage of development. Together, they participate in service projects, engaging activities and community events that prove it's possible to have fun while remaining substance-free.

The program rewards students for their commitment to a drug-free lifestyle through exclusive activities, incentive-based opportunities and enriching experiences that reinforce their decision to stay on a positive path. In doing so, D-Fy helps foster a community culture that recognizes and uplifts youth making healthy choices.

The North Port chapter of D-Fy was founded in April 2010 by local residents and teachers. In 2025, North Port Parks & Recreation Department assumed leadership of the program, maintaining close ties with previous organizers to ensure the continuation of its goals and the support of both student and adult volunteers. 

Youth Engagement & Leadership Development

D-Fy actively fosters peer-to-peer support by facilitating mentorship pairings between older and younger members, helping to build continuity and leadership within the program. It also collaborates with local organizations to offer workshops on topics such as decision-making, self-esteem, coping strategies and resisting peer pressure. In addition, D-Fy works alongside the Recreation Division to support teen-focused programs including Teen Talk, Teen Camp, Fit Teen University, and the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program.

D-Fy Member Responsibilities:

• North Port middle and high school students submit a Membership Application and affirm commitment to a drug, alcohol and tobacco-free lifestyle.
• Obtain a parent/guardian signature to join and participate, to done at time of registration.
• Complete an initial confidential drug screening at no cost.
• Consent to random drug screenings during the membership year.
• Receive a personalized photo ID card upon successful enrollment that can be used for incentives.
• Abide by Community Center Guidelines while utilizing D-FY Membership.
• Acknowledge that test results may be shared with the parent/guardian if positive.
• Understand that a positive test for alcohol, tobacco, or drugs disqualifies the application.
• Receive re-application options if disqualified.
• Submit a new application and drug test each year for renewal.
• Gain access to programming opportunities as established by the Program Coordinator. 

Register today to become a D-Fy member. Complete the online registration & parent waiver form. 

New member enrollment and screening dates are scheduled throughout the year. Check below for upcoming opportunities to get involved. Screenings are limited and offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Must have all paperwork submitted to be eligible for membership.

All screenings are held at the Morgan Family Community Center, 6207 W. Price Blvd. from 2:30-5:30 p.m.

• Aug. 13
• Sept. 10
• Oct. 8
• Nov.12
• Dec.10

Register today by completing the online registration & parent waiver form. 

D-Fy members can enjoy exclusive discounts and special perks from participating local businesses. Explore the benefits below and show your Achieve Anything membership card with the D-Fy logo to redeem each offer.

Thank you to the businesses supporting North Port’s youth and their commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.

Join us in building a healthier, safer future for North Port youth. We are proud to partner with businesses, organizations and individuals who share our commitment to supporting teens in making positive, drug-free choices. By becoming a sponsor of the Drug-Free Youth (D-Fy) program, you’ll play a vital role in empowering the next generation through mentorship, education and meaningful incentives.

As a sponsor, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Offer exclusive discounts or perks to D-Fy members through their membership card
• Speak at events or mentor youth on career readiness and life skills
• Receive recognition for your support at events and in promotional materials
• Attend our annual D-Fy sponsorship meeting to stay connected and help shape the program’s future

Sponsorships can be financial, in-kind or technical, and we welcome support from both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. All sponsors must align with the City’s values and complete a brief Parks & Recreation Sponsorship Form annually. Sponsorships are welcomed as a way to enhance community offerings, though the City maintains sole discretion over participation in this nonpublic forum in accordance with its sponsorship policy.

To get started, complete an online sponsorship application. Our staff will contact you within 24-business hours to discuss your application and begin next steps.