Written by Not surprisingly, juvenile crime hits its peak during after school hours. This is largely due to the chronic shortage of quality after-school programs. Besides providing adult supervision for children whose parents are still at work during those hours, after school programs teach new skills and fill in the gaps. However, everything costs money and that is something that is at a premium in today’s shaky economy. More and more parents must come up with an alternative after school program. In this article, we’ll share some low cost ideas that will help you keep your kids entertained and out of trouble.
The most important part of all community programs for kids is fun. Ideally, after school programs should allow kids to have new experiences that aren’t a part of their normal creative activities and seat work day in school. This can include sports, music, dance, drama, or learning a new language. If you want to start an effective after-school community program, then look at where there is a need or want. Do the kids want to learn how to play basketball? Is skateboarding popular in community? Motivation is the key to success. Children who like the activity and choose it will work harder and do well. To make the program successful, you need coordinators who are skilled in the activity and are strong leaders.
Running your program out of a school has a number of benefits, including easy access for students, lots of space, and access to materials and school printables, as well as equipment. You’ll have to meet with the principal to discuss your idea and encourage his or her participation in the planning. Choose a time that does not conflict with other sponsored programs. You also must be very clear about liability and safety responsibilities. Establish a “contract” that details the ground rules for your program and make sure that all parties agree on all fronts.
Once you have the logistics out of the way, it’s time to let the community know about each and every after school program that you are making available to them. Your afterschool alliance resources can include local schools, community centers, churches and local businesses. Start by posting flyers around the community. Make sure that they are bright and attention grabbing, and include all of the information that parents will need to get their kids registered, and be very clear about any fees involved. You may even want to hold an event like a car wash or bake sale to raise awareness and some money to fund your programs.
Don’t be afraid to tap into existing community resources to help with the development and sustainability of your after school program. Some may be able to share sports equipment, art supplies, etc. You may even be able to get donations from local businesses. However, never forget that the safety and well being of the children should be your first priority. Make sure that you check the background of volunteers, keep the kids well supervised at all times, and check daily for equipment that could cause injury. Being diligent about safety is essential in protecting you and the kids.
Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in the genital warts treatments. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating natural cure for genital warts. For more information, visit treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.
