Boys & Girls Clubs Participate in National 'Lights on Afterschool' Celebration
On October 19th and 20th, in conjunction with 7,500 events throughout the nation and with more than a million Americans who were urging leaders to show support for afterschool programs that keep children safe, inspire them to learn and help working families; the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s 16 Club locations in Cole Camp, Green Ridge, La Monte, Leeton, Smithton and Sedalia were celebrating Lights on Afterschool.
This year was the 12th annual rally for Lights on Afterschool. In communities today, more than 15 million school-age children take care of themselves after the school day ends. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning. Each year this event brings together students, parents, educators, afterschool program directors and community and business leaders from across the country to celebrate the achievements of the youth involved in afterschool programs.
Like so many other afterschool programs around the nation, the Club’s sites in Cole Camp, Green Ridge, La Monte, Leeton, Smithton and Sedalia are supported by funding from the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) initiative. Since its creation, the 21st CCLC initiative has provided funding to allow millions of children to attend afterschool programs. Lights on Afterschool is intended to draw attention to the need for more afterschool programs and emphasize the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open for the children who need us most.
Interesting Missouri Afterschool Statistics: According to America After 3PM data released by the Afterschool Alliance in 2009:
• 32% (318,282) of Missouri’s K-12 children are responsible for taking care of themselves after school. These children spend an average of 9 hours per week unsupervised after school. This is 6 percent higher than the national average.
• Only 12% (120,867) of Missouri’s K-12 children participate in afterschool programs. This is three percent lower than the national statistic.
• 16% of Missouri’s K-12 children are in the care of their brothers or sisters after school. This is two percent higher than the national average.
• 32% (283,634) of all Missouri children not in afterschool would be likely to participate if an afterschool program were available in the community, regardless of their current care arrangement.
• 89% of adults surveyed in Missouri agree that there should be an organized place for children and teens to go after school that allows them opportunities to learn and 83% supported public funding for afterschool programs.
In advance of Lights On Afterschool last year, the Afterschool Alliance released a new special report from America After 3 PM: A Household Survey on Afterschool in America, the most in-depth study ever to explore how America’s children spend their afternoons. This special report, America After 3PM: From Big Cities to Small Towns, finds that just one in 10 rural school children attend an afterschool program – a considerably smaller percentage than the national average of 15 percent. Some 18 percent of urban and 13 percent of suburban school children attend afterschool programs.
From October 12 to 25, in conjunction with Lights on Afterschool events nationwide, the jcpenney store in the Sedalia Thompson Hills Shopping Center is inviting shoppers to “round-up” their purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri. This jcpenney Round-up event assists the Boys & Girls Club with providing at-risk children with access to life-enriching afterschool programs that foster their academic, physical and social development.
The Fun Lights on Afterschool Activites:
PROCLAMATION – OCTOBER 19
Where: The Boys & Girls Club’s Administrative Office, 3100 Aaron Ave, Sedalia, MO Time: 4:30 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration The Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Site Directors and the Sedalia Middle School Torch Club members joined in celebration as Mayor Horn declared October 20, 2011 as “Lights On Afterschool” day in Sedalia and committed the community to ensuring that the lights stay on and the doors stay open for all children after school. A 24-foot light bulb that was painted and decorated by the Sedalia Middle School Torch Club members was on display in honor of the celebration.
SEDALIA CLUBS – OCTOBER 20
Where: Heber Hunt Elementary School Time: 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration- It’s About Support! Attendees showed they cared about the future of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Heber Hunt site by checking out the projects Club members had been working on this semester and by helping Club members color light bulbs.
Where: Horace Mann Elementary School Cafeteria Time: 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration – It Makes Sense to Get Involved! Attendees celebrated the amazing things happening at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Horace Mann Elementary site and participated in science experiments that tested all their senses.
Where: Parkview Elementary School Time: 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration – It’s A Good Time! Attendees joined in the fun as Club members danced and performed sign language and watched as Club members in released balloons at the end of the event.
Where: Sedalia Middle School – Room 128 Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration – We’re Becoming Leaders! Attendees got to see the amazing things happening at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Sedalia Middle School site.
Where: Skyline Elementary School Cafeteria & Gym Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration – It’s A Colorful Club! Attendees showed their support for the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Skyline Elementary site by coloring paper cutouts of light bulbs and listening as Torch Club members read a proclamation showcasing the need for afterschool programs and their desire to keep afterschool programs running for years to come.
Where: Washington Elementary School Cafeteria Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration – It’s About Support! Attendees showed they cared about the future of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Washington site and all afterschool programs by helping Club members make posters in support of afterschool programming.
OUTLYING CLUBS – OCTOBER 20
Where: Cole Camp School Cafeteria Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration – It’s A Spectrum of Fun! Attendees celebrated the amazing things happening at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Cole Camp site and participated in exciting science experiments. The event included an appearance by Representative Wanda Brown.
Where: Green Ridge School Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration – It’s Scientific! Attendees checked out the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Green Ridge site program and joined in the fun science fair activities.
Where: La Monte School Cafeteria Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration – It’s A Fall Celebration! Attendees celebrated fall with the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s La Monte site and let their scientific skills shine by participating in a fall food tasting contest, by guessing the weight of pumpkins, graphing leafs and last but not least, gourd bowling.
Where: Smithton Time: 4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. What: Lights on Afterschool Celebration – Light Up Your Imagination! Attendees showed their support and got artsy with the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Smithton site as they participated in numerous art projects.
Check out this video of the Parkview Elementary Club members signing to "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus
To read more about our Lights on Afterschool events:
For more exciting photos check out the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri's Facebook page -
Mayor Horn plugging in the Lights on Afterschool light bulb with the Sedalia Middle School Torch Club Members
Parkview Club Members releasing balloons in honor of Lights on Afterschool
Cole Camp Club member talking with Representative Wanda Brown during Cole Camp's Lights on Afterschool celebration
Green Ridge Club member participating in science experiments during Lights on Afterschool in Green Ridge
Elementary Youth of the Year, Ian Wallen, addressing the Sedalia Middle School Torch Club members and talking about the importance of afterschool programs during Lights on Afterschool
Skyline Director, Donal Buckner, signing the Lights on Afterschool proclamation with the Skyline Torch Club President Photo By: Randy Kirby
Horace Mann Club members participating in "It Makes Sense To Get Involved" during Lights on Afterschool Photo by: Randy Kirby
Light bulbs colored by the Washington Elementary Club members in honor of Lights on Afterschool
Contact Us | Press Room | NewsLetters
From October 12 to 25, in conjunction with Lights on Afterschool events nationwide, the jcpenney store in the Sedalia Thompson Hills Shopping Center is inviting shoppers to “round-up” their purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri. This jcpenney Round-up event assists the Boys & Girls Club with providing at-risk children with access to life-enriching afterschool programs that foster their academic, physical and social development.
© 2012 Boys & Girls Clubs