Raising Awareness of Maryland Afterschool Programs

Afterschool programs provide supervision, care, and education for children outside of school time. According to an America After 3 PM report from Afterschool Alliance, 7.6 million children in the United States are unsupervised when the school day ends. Enrolling children in afterschool programs will reduce the risks of leaving children alone while also providing them with numerous developmental advantages.

Initiatives like Lights On Afterschool raise awareness about the important role of afterschool programs in the lives of children and their families. Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide campaign launched in 2000 by Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring all children have access to high-quality and affordable afterschool programs. The annual event highlights the crucial support that out-of-school time care provides for children, families, and the entire community. It celebrated its 25^th anniversary on October 24, 2024.

More than 8,000 communities throughout the United States held local events for the campaign this year to support out-of-school time programs. In Maryland, 33 registered rallies took place across the state as a part of Lights On Afterschool.

LINK After School, a program run by the Village Learning Place in Baltimore, hosted a Spooky Harvest for Lights On Afterschool. It featured Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and art activities as well as Halloween-themed games and a book giveaway from the public library. This out-of-school time program serves children from prekindergarten through sixth grade each weekday during the school year.

Another Lights On Afterschool event, held by Camp Fire – Patuxent Area, linked the program promotion with a youth service project about safety and mental health. The organization’s clubs and before and afterschool programs offer indoor and outdoor activities for multiple age levels, including children as young as three years old. They have locations in Bowie, Greenbelt, Takoma Park, and Bethesda.

What Are the Benefits of Afterschool Programs?

When children have a designated space to go to after school, they will receive supervision from responsible adults in a safe and secure environment. Afterschool programs can reduce the chances that a child will get into trouble than if they were left alone. Under this care, a child can find support for their social and emotional wellness, which can help them improve behavior and gain life skills like communication and teamwork.

These programs nurture a child’s desire to learn and encourage healthy development. They can build on what a child learns while in school, provide homework help, and offer more educational opportunities. This can inspire a child to become a lifelong learner through their school career and into adulthood.

Afterschool programs are helpful for parents too. When parents enroll their child in an afterschool program, they feel secure that the child is safe as they go to work or school. Out-of-school time care can provide convenient hours of operation, looking after children when school is not in session, but a parent is still at work. Since many programs are in or near schools, the location can also be accessible for families.

Families can find an afterschool program that suits the preferences of both the child and the parent. For instance, they can seek a program that offers plenty of playtime outside to promote physical activity. Or they may choose a program that highlights learning activities with a focus on STEM.

How Do I Find an Afterschool Program?

To find an afterschool program near you, reach out to your local schools about the programs they offer. You may contact community organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America or the Parks & Recreation Department to find more out-of-school time programs. Child care programs may offer afterschool care as well. Other parents might also be able to suggest programs in your area, so do not hesitate to connect with members of your community.

Families looking for advice about choosing a child care program or afterschool program may visit https://marylandchild.org/care. Parents can find local quality child care programs using the Maryland EXCELS Directory.

More information about the importance of afterschool programs can be found on the online resource library of the National Center on Afterschool and Summer Enrichment (NCASE).

Organizations interested in hosting their own Lights On Afterschool event next year can begin planning now and register online.