Abington Heights Civic League

- 115 Colburn Ave, Clarks Summit, PA 18411

The Abington Heights Civic League (AHCL), located in Clarks Summit, is a pillar of community service and artistic opportunity in the Pennsylvania region. Established in 1931, this non-profit organization has evolved into a dynamic center for charitable relief, intellectual development, and the advancement of the arts and education. While its formal structure is that of a civic club with a core mission to empower women for future community service, the AHCL is most widely known and celebrated for its remarkable, budget-friendly community program: the Abington Civic League Dance Academy.

Unlike many for-profit dance studios in Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA), the AHCL operates its Dance Academy with the express purpose of funding its charitable mission. The motto is "Children Dancing for Children," as all proceeds from the annual dance recital are channeled directly back into local, child-centric organizations and community grants. This unique financial model allows the Civic League to offer high-quality dance instruction at a significantly lower cost than its competitors, making the arts accessible to a much broader range of families in the Clarks Summit and Abington Heights area.

The AHCL’s impact extends far beyond the dance floor. Over its history, the organization has been instrumental in major community initiatives, including helping to establish the Abington Community Library and instituting vital programs like kindergarten vision screening. Today, it remains a consistent source of scholarships for local high school seniors and a vital funding stream for other non-profits in the geographic region. The long-standing success of the dance program—which has been running since 1957—is a testament to the league's dedication and the positive, enjoyable atmosphere, which customers describe as "a wonderful place for all things dance!"

The Abington Heights Civic League facility is centrally located in Clarks Summit, making it a convenient point of interest for local residents and families participating in its programs. The location provides easy access for daily drop-offs and participation in its various events.

The physical address for the organization and its primary center of operation, including the Dance Academy, is:

115 Colburn Ave, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, USA.

This spot positions the Civic League within the heart of the Abingtons, ensuring accessibility for the entire school district and surrounding communities. The AHCL is committed to ensuring its facility is welcoming to all members of the community, which is reflected in its focus on practical accessibility features.

A critical accessibility feature for families attending classes and events is:

• Wheelchair accessible parking lot, which provides designated spaces and easy access for individuals with mobility needs, a key consideration for community-focused non-profits.

Being a community-driven space, the location is designed to facilitate regular participation, whether for weekly dance classes or one of the League's frequent fundraising events like "Ladies Night Out" and "MEGA PRIZE BINGO," all of which serve to benefit the local area.

The Abington Heights Civic League offers a robust dual-pronged service model: providing essential community programs directly and offering charitable funding for other local non-profits, all primarily supported by its successful Dance Academy.

The range of services and programs provided by the AHCL includes:

• Abington Civic League Dance Academy: Affordable and high-quality dance instruction for children from pre-K through 12th grade, with classes running from September through late April.
• Diverse Dance Styles: Offering a variety of classes including Hip Hop (6th through 12th grade), Mini Acro (1st through 3rd grade), Acro (4th through 12th grade), and Musical Theater (1st through 12th grade), in addition to traditional forms.
• Dance Competition Team: A team program for students in 1st through 12th grade looking for a more advanced performance experience.
• Annual Dance Recital: The organization's signature "Children Dancing for Children" annual event, where all proceeds are directly donated to community charities and underprivileged children and families.
• Community Grants and Charitable Relief: Providing charitable grants and financial assistance to other non-profit organizations and supporting underprivileged children and families within the Civic League’s geographic region.
• Educational Scholarships: Offering financial funding for scholarships each year to graduating seniors at Abington Heights High School for post-secondary study, specifically in the fields of arts, education, and dance.
• Community Health and Education Initiatives: Historically responsible for programs such as vision screening for all students registering for kindergarten in the Abington Heights School District.
• Leadership Development: Sponsoring a sophomore student annually to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth Foundation Leadership Seminar (HOBY).
• Fundraising Events: Organizing various popular community fundraisers throughout the year, such as Ladies Night Out, A Spring Fling, and MEGA PRIZE BINGO, to generate funds for its mission.
• Environmental and Civic Engagement: Participating in local clean-up efforts, such as adopting a two-mile stretch of Grove Street through the PennDOT Adopt-A-Highway program.
• Support for Vulnerable Populations: Maintaining an ongoing "adoption" of a male ward at the Clarks Summit State Hospital, providing financial gifts and holiday cheer.

What makes the Abington Heights Civic League a special point of interest in Clarks Summit is the unique intersection of quality arts education and profound local philanthropy. It embodies the best of non-profit service within the NEPA community.

Key highlights that distinguish the AHCL include:

• Mission-Driven Affordability: The most compelling feature is the extremely reasonable cost of its Dance Academy (e.g., a low yearly cost per class), which is significantly less than for-profit studios, making dance education widely accessible across all economic backgrounds in the area.
• Six Decades of Dance Excellence: The Dance Academy has been operating continuously since 1957, providing over six decades of experienced, well-regarded instruction, a stability that few other local programs can match.
• Proven Community Impact: The AHCL has donated well over $100,000 to local charities through its fundraising and dance recital efforts, establishing a clear and powerful charitable footprint in the community.
• Focus on Youth Development: In addition to dance, the Civic League directly supports local students through scholarships, leadership seminars (HOBY), and essential health services (kindergarten vision screening), demonstrating a commitment to academic and personal growth.
• Family-Oriented Atmosphere: Customer reviews emphasize the enjoyable and tremendously positive experience provided to students, often describing it as a "Great dancing school" that their children enjoyed "tremendously."
• Community Hub for Women: The organization serves as a central hub for women in the area, maintaining an organization center for their intellectual and social development, promoting civic engagement, and providing avenues for service.

To inquire about the Dance Academy registration, class schedules, or to learn more about the Civic League's community service and fundraising events, please use the following contact details.

Address: 115 Colburn Ave, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, USA

Phone: (570) 587-3101

Mobile Phone: +1 570-587-3101

For families in Clarks Summit and the greater Abington Heights region of Pennsylvania, choosing to engage with the Abington Heights Civic League is a decision that simultaneously benefits your child and your community. When you enroll your child in the Dance Academy, you are not simply paying for a dance class; you are participating in a philanthropic cycle. The fees are kept low to ensure affordability, but the revenue generated directly supports local scholarships, charitable grants, and community services.

It is worth choosing the AHCL because it provides high-quality dance training—proven by its six-decade history and consistently positive reviews—in a family-friendly and non-profit environment that prioritizes character and community contribution. Your investment fosters your child’s artistic growth while teaching them the value of community support through the recital’s "Children Dancing for Children" mission. This unique model of "great dancing school at a very reasonable price" and extensive community service makes the Abington Heights Civic League an essential, beneficial, and cherished non-profit organization in NEPA.

Abington Heights Civic League

115 Colburn Ave, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, USA