Out-of-school-time programs really matter in the day-to-day lives of families and young people. They are also a core strategy in Camp Fire’s mission to connect young people to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves.

We’ve written about our commitment to developing quality programs before, but we wanted to take some time to talk about three reasons afterschool programs are essential right now. 

1. Young people are in the middle of a mental health crisis.

This past December, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy made it official when he issued an advisory on the mental health challenges kids, teens and young adults are facing today. Even before the pandemic, more than 1 in 3 high schoolers said they were regularly sad or hopeless, and the isolating effects of the pandemic did nothing to help. Two of the recommendations Dr. Murthy offered were “supporting the mental health of children and youth in educational, community and childcare settings” and  “addressing the economic and social barriers that contribute to poor mental health.” Afterschool programs offer social emotional learning (SEL) in safe environments that strive to be accessible to children of all economic and social backgrounds. 

2. Students are still struggling to catch up after pandemic disruptions.

Although the past school year helped young learners chip away at the COVID-19 learning gap, many students are still behind. Math and reading scores remain lower than normal. Thanks to decades of educational structural racism, Black, Hispanic and Indigenous students are more likely to face pandemic academic challenges. Research has shown that afterschool programs can boost reading comprehension, math scores and overall learning. In fact, 73 percent of afterschool students both get help with homework and participate in STEM activities. High quality afterschool programs can help students make up lost ground academically, emotionally, and socially.

3. There’s a huge shortage of quality afterschool programs available.

According to research by the Afterschool Alliance, even before the pandemic, there were three young people waiting to get into a program for every one attending. Afterschool is inaccessible to 24.6 million children—when even one child missing out on out-of-school-time development is too many. Afterschool programs are one way Camp Fire serves more than 68,000 youth and families annually. We are continually working to expand access, so all kids have equitable opportunities to thrive.

Mental health challenges. Pandemic learning gaps. High demand for great programming. These are all reasons why Camp Fire has joined the National Partnership for Student Success. Launched this July, the public-private initiative is designed to drive support to methods proven to help young learners, including afterschool programs! The partnership goal? 250,000 new volunteer tutors, mentors and educators over the next three years. 

Are you ready to help young people thrive after school? Here are three ways you can help: 

• Volunteer at a Camp Fire afterschool program. Find a council and program near you to get involved.
• Spread the word about the importance of afterschool programs through Lights On Afterschool next month. The Afterschool Alliance’s annual celebration will be held October 20, 2022. Find an event, share on socials and learn more here!
• Give to Camp Fire. Your support helps us continue to create innovative, equitable afterschool programming for all kids. Donate today.

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Talk about a gap! in early 2020, there were 7.8 million young people in afterschool programs—

But this is pre-pandemic data; the demand for quality afterschool programming has only grown since March 2020. Although 83 percent of afterschool programs were open this summer, there are still more eager young people who want to attend than actual available programs to welcome them: 

• 52 percent of (physically open) afterschool programs have a waitlist of students who want to join their program.2 
• 55 percent of afterschool program providers say the are “extremely or very concerned” that young people in their community aren’t able to access needed summer programming. (2) 

Why is it so important that young people have access to afterschool programs? 

Not only do out-of-school-time programs help working parents stay employed, but 96 percent of parents with children in afterschool programs say their kids are building important life skills.2 High-quality afterschool programs have been shown to boost academic performance, decrease drop-out rates, improve decision-making skills and decrease risky behaviors. (3)

It’s not just these life-long benefits to the students themselves that make afterschool programs a vital part of community life.

Afterschool programs also act as a safety net for families—especially those affected by the ongoing pandemic.

53 percent of afterschool programs also provide meals (onsite or delivered) and other resources for participating families. (67 percent of programs report that more than half of their participants qualify for the free or reduced-price lunch program.) 52 percent help families connect with other community resources, and 45 percent are giving the children of essential workers safe, enriching places to go during out-of-school time. (2)

Afterschool programs offer big benefits to both kids and their families. But there aren’t enough programs to serve the children who need them. What can you do to help close the afterschool gap? 

• Raise your voice. Like 87% of parents across the political spectrum2, you, too, can support public funding for afterschool programs. Make sure your representatives know wider access to afterschool programs is important to you. 
• Spread the word. October 28 is the 22nd annual Lights On Afterschool day to celebrate and support afterschool programs. Find an event or plan your own.
• Get involved. Connect with your local Camp Fire council to learn what afterschool programs in your area might need. Or make a donation to Camp Fire to support its out-of-school-time programs that serve thousands of children across the country. 

1. “America After 3pm,” Afterschool Alliance, December 2020. 
2. “Afterschool Alliance COVID-19 Program Provider Survey – Wave 5 Results,” Afterschool Alliance, June 2021.
3. “What does the research say about afterschool?” Afterschool Alliance, November 2017.

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Youth Development Expert Nikki Roe-Cropp

Director of Program Effectiveness, Camp Fire National Headquarters

Nikki currently serves on the National Alliance of Youth-Serving Organizations for Child Protection. She is passionate about helping all youth reach their full potential through safe, positive youth development experiences and knows that child safety is fundamental to creating safe spaces where youth can thrive.

Every year, organizations, parents/caregivers, and adult champions come together to raise awareness about child protection and sexual abuse prevention. As a youth-serving organization, we’re dedicated to creating Safe Spaces for All Youth, and next week’s Five Days of Action campaign is an important way we can keep the conversation going. Join in: https://www.fivedaysofaction.org/.

https://www.fivedaysofaction.org/

In preparation for the Five Days of Action, I recently completed the Darkness2Light online training “Protecting Children During a Crisis.” Much of the content is focused on adapting Darkness to Light® 5 Steps to Protecting Children during the global pandemic and includes crisis planning for child sexual abuse prevention.

While the situations and strategies in the course focus mainly on home-bound scenarios with implications for family and caregivers, it does provide an opportunity for me to consider what Camp Fire has done thus far to plan for and respond to changes we face during the current crisis and the impact those changes have on youth protection.

First, I considered three of our most important current youth protection strategies.

1. Supervision practices: Staff employs best practices related to supervision of youth, such as keeping youth within sight and sound, monitoring and managing inappropriate behavior/conversations within the program, and limiting/prohibiting isolated one-on-one situations.

2. Behavior expectations: It’s recommended that a Code of Conduct be created and enforced to specially define appropriate and inappropriate interactions between youth and adults both in and outside of programming and among youth participants during program.

3. Mandated reporting: Staff and volunteers working directly with youth are trained to recognize, respond, and report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Next, I identified three new situations the pandemic has created for programs that could potentially affect how we enact these strategies or will pose new challenges in prevention.

1. The majority of Camp Fire programs offered over the summer were conducted virtually; if in-person programming did occur, physical distancing protocols were put in place. For fall, we are seeing similar trends, with many programs starting out in a virtual setting. How do we supervise youth in a virtual setting? How do we ensure safe interactions?

2. A Code of Conduct typically includes expectations about maintaining appropriate physical boundaries with youth. What unique behavior interactions do we need to consider for virtual spaces?

3. We aim to be trusted adults for the youth we serve and spend a lot of time fostering positive relationships with youth. In a virtual setting, how can we develop the same connections with youth? How can we check-in on their well-being and safety when we don’t see them every day and are limited by online technology?

Lastly, I determined how our initial strategies were or could be adapted or modified to account for the new circumstances.

1. Sacred Spaces recommends keeping the “two-deep leadership” (more than one adult is present at all times) in virtual settings; when impractical, they offer tips and tricks for scheduling, communication channels, and documentation to promote safe interactions. The Redwood Group created a resource that outlines security measures for the Zoom platform to prevent Zoom bombing or sharing of inappropriate content.  We continue to pass these resources on and offer staff training on virtual considerations for programming.

2. The YMCA generously provided a sample Virtual Code of Conduct that addresses things such as appropriate video call etiquette, language, attire, and conduct. This excellent resource, along with a set of Guidelines for Virtual Youth Programs, was released to Camp Fire councils to guide them in creating their own expectations for virtual interactions.

3. Our partners at the Search Institute released a free checklist early in the pandemic to help foster initial relationship-building during the Covid-19 Crisis. Adapting a resource shared with us by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we created an “Emotional Check-in Guide” to screen for the overall well-being of both staff and youth as they re-enter programs. These two resources offer a plethora of questions to ask youth to not only help build trust and rapport in remote programming but to also screen emotional and physical well-being from a distance.

This was a fruitful exercise, to say the least. It helped me to think critically about what areas we have adapted to our “new normal”, what areas still need more attention, and inspired me to take more action to protect kids under our current circumstances.

I highly recommend the course for parents, caregivers, and anyone who works directly with youth. The course is free, is offered in English and Spanish, and well worth the 30-minutes it takes to complete.

I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity too to solicit the parents and caregivers as our partners in protecting youth. You are another set of eyes and ears as well as someone we are accountable to. I encourage you to ask your local Camp Fire council and other youth organizations you and your children frequently about the youth protection policies and procedures that are in place.

One of the activities recommended in the online training is the “What If” game. Play this with your children and include questions about their Camp Fire or their other youth programs and the virtual experiences:

What if…

• You see something inappropriate on someone’s Zoom screen? Or in their background?
• You are put into a breakout room and no adult is present?
• An adult in the program asks for you to stay on after everyone leaves? Starts a private chat with you? Sends you an inappropriate picture through email or chat?

Thank you for stepping up to protect children from sexual abuse, one day at a time. Thank you to the YMCA Guardians of Child Protection, Darkness to Light, the Redwoods Group Foundation, and Praesidium for sponsoring this initiative so we can all come together, committed to continued learning, planning, and adapting to keep youth safe.

Camp Fire continually works to protects all youth and provide a safe and positive experience for youth and families. Camp Fire National Headquarters aims to foster and promote a culture of safety at the council level through the availability of abuse prevention and youth protection resources and tools.

https://www.fivedaysofaction.org/

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Camp Fire’s Thrive{ology} framework teaches kids to have a Growth Mindset and Reflect on what they’ve learned. And we like to practice what we preach!

We want to make sure our programs deliver on our promise: to help young people find their spark, lift their voice and discover who they are. That doesn’t happen by accident.

It takes a lot of hard work, a commitment to growth, and honest, deep reflection to track how well our programs are serving Camp Fire kids. The research says just providing programs—and getting kids to show up—isn’t enough. It seems like common sense, but we’ll say it for good measure: It matters how well programs are run. Young people in high-quality programs just do better.

Unsurprisingly, it’s what parents ask for, too. Our research says parents want programs that are fun, yes, but they also want high-quality programs that make an impact.

“Research shows that deeper learning occurs for young people when it is contextualized. Context matters in high quality programs!” says Shawna Rosenzweig, Director, Program Effectiveness at Camp Fire National Headquarters. “The context within which young people are learning makes a difference. And that makes Camp Fire stand out. We’re providing real-life, hands-on experiences that are really true skill-building opportunities.”

Camp Fire works with the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality to continually test how well our programs are doing. We’ve been using the Weikart Center’s Program Quality Assessment (PQA) tools for more than seven years.

The tool measures how well programs meet a progressive pyramid of standards. First, does the program provide a safe environment, physically and emotionally? Second, is the program supportive? Is it welcoming, encouraging and set up to help young people learn? Third, is the program interactive? Does it give young people opportunities for leadership? Finally, does the program allow for high-level youth engagement?   

Why do we measure these categories? Because studies show programs that progress up the pyramid help kids learn more, stay interested and challenged, and feel like they belong. High-scoring programs also build young people’s Social Emotional Learning skills, including communication, empathy and problem solving.

“It’s not all about the scores,” explains Nikki Roe Cropp, Camp Fire National Headquarter’s Program Consultant. “It’s more about the process. It’s how we are continuously engaging in a practice to improve our programs—and using the PQA data to inform that.”

Camp Fire uses the PQA feedback to figure out what programs should work on—and celebrate! We create improvement plans for things we want to enhance, using professional development and coaching to boost skills, knowledge and practices.

Many of Camp Fire’s councils use the tool for just that reason. We can get a picture of how our programs are doing on local and national levels and build those plans for improvement as needed. We can track progress over time and also see how normal changes (like high staff turn-over at summer camp or launching a brand-new program) affect scores.  

“It’s become part of our every-day approach,” says Nikki. “It’s validated continuous improvement process that we use with all of our programs. It’s that level of commitment to quality that really sets us apart.”  

Want to help keep Camp Fire’s high-quality programming going? Support Camp Fire kids through a Giving Tuesday donation on November 27!

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September means school is in full swing, and so are Camp Fire’s Out-of-School Time (OST) programs! Yes, “camp” is literally our first name, but we help kids find their sparks in so many other ways. In fact, 47 of our councils offer programs before school, after school, and during school breaks.

More than 25,000 kids and teens participate in Camp Fire OST programs across the country. These programs are built on Camp Fire’s Thrive{ology} framework and let young practice the skills needed to thrive through hands-on, real-life opportunities.

“Our councils do a good job of facilitating high-quality OST programs that meet the needs of their communities,” says Shawna Rosenzweig, Director, Program Effectiveness at Camp Fire National Headquarters. Shawna says OST programs range from traditional Camp Fire clubs, to STEM-based afterschool programs, while others focus on particular needs.

“Camp Fire Columbia in Portland, Oregon, has a middle school program with a strong focus on social justice, designed to meet the needs of a vulnerable, underserved population,” Shawna says. That program was selected to be a partner in a SEARCH Institute initiative testing ways to help strengthen developmental relationships that young people from marginalized communities experience.

Camp Fire Minnesota, which serves young people who reside in affordable housing partners, runs unique nature-focused OST programs in the Twin Cities. “Even in an urban setting, they provide those young people with experiences in the outdoors,” explains Shawna. “They use nature as a catalyst for thriving.”

Shawna says Camp Fire’s OST programs stand out because of their Social Emotional Learning focus, thanks to the consistent Thrive{ology} framework. Both teachers and principals report that it’s a challenge to provide enough SEL practices during the school day due to lack of time, training and funding. Camp Fire’s OST programs help make up the difference, giving kids the SEL tools they need to succeed both now and later.

“For many people, OST programs are a safe place to send their children after school, or a way to help them make friends or help older teens get community service hours in,” Shawna says. “But Camp Fire’s programs are also making kids more college and career ready in ways that may or may not be happening during the school day.”

Sheri Hemby, Program Executive at Camp Fire Lone Star, agrees. “We reinforce what they learn during the school day and add to that with SEL opportunities,” Sheri says. She says they set clear expectations with parents that their programs have big goals beyond getting homework done.

Lone Star’s after-school, day camps and academic enrichment programs highlight conflict resolution and self-determination skills.

“We provide opportunities for kids to be independent and advocate for themselves,” Sheri says. “Everything we do is a partnership with our students.  We don’t do things for kids…we help them figure things out for themselves. This builds the confidence and grit they need to be successful.

“We want to prepare them to be the leaders they can be right now in their homes, classrooms, and communities.”  

Find a Camp Fire OST program in your area!

The post Beyond Camp: Our Out-of-School Time Programs appeared first on Camp Fire.

We know there a million different things you and your family can fill your summer with, but these are four reasons why a Camp Fire camp should be one of them:

1. Spending lots of time outside gives kids and teens a chance to discover the world we live in.

   A few summers ago, 10 campers had the opportunity to spend a week at one of our summer camps in Texas. It was their first time in nature. One night, they went up to the high point at camp to take in the night sky, and a young girl said, “So this is where they keep the stars…”

   Do YOU remember seeing the stars for the first time? These are kinds of magical moments we help youth experience each week.

   Since our start in 1910, we’ve been leading youth connect to nature and develop a deeper appreciation of the outdoors. Be on the lookout for our upcoming blog post, “The big benefits of being in nature.”
   

   

2. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

   Of course our goal is for youth to have fun, but that is just one piece of the puzzle. Creating a the ideal environment for self-discovery is what we do best. We will nudge your kids or teens out of their comfort zone and challenge them to try things they’ve never tried before.

   Spending even just a week at camp can make a big difference. We love to see kids and teens spend time with people they may never have interacted with before, to really practice using a growth mindset in solving problems together or overcoming a fear, and to learn something about themselves they never would have if they had spent the whole summer inside, on their tablet or phone.

   

3. Camp Fire camps meet you where you are.

   We have more than 140 camps nationwide, all with unique opportunities for your kids. Camp is never a “one-size-fits-all” experience, which is why Camp Fire’s expertise offers camps that will meet you where you are in life so you can really thrive.  

   Overnight (or resident) camps, day camps, and specialty camps: all of our camps are accredited by the American Camp Association. Explore camps on our website to see which one is near you, and be looking for our post next week highlighting some of our unique camp opportunities.
   

   

4. Our highly trained and caring staff are PUMPED to spend the summer working with your child to find their spark.
   

   We are dedicated to helping kids find their spark, lift their voice, and have the best camp experience possible. Our caring Camp Fire staff is a dedicated “Spark Champion” for your child.

   In a 2016 survey, 83% of youth said adults in Camp Fire encourage them to explore the things they are interested in, and 82% of youth said adults in Camp Fire help them solve problems instead of telling them what to do. We’re experts at what we do, and we care about developing thriving, successful youth!

   

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WE CANNOT WAIT for camp to start! Will you join us? Find a council near you and register for camp. See you there!

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The Afterschool Snack, a resource of the Afterschool Alliance, recently ran an article on how to tap into the calendars of your state and national officials now that they’re nearing their yearly recess.

Camp Fire councils are doing amazing work around the nation. When elected officials get the opportunity for a firsthand look at Camp Fire, they realize the value of the work we do, especially with after-school programming. With after-school funding a front-burner issue for so many, we encourage you to take the time to invite your representatives to your sites.

Everyone at Camp Fire knows afterschool is an essential component of the typical school day for thousands of youth around the county. It helps shape the lives of youth in the process of shaping their futures. And now, more than ever, we need to help provide the proof—to those who can shape policy—that quality after-school efforts make a clear and distinct difference. We need to help sway dialog to the reality that after-school programs need to be retained in the current budget.

A few resources to help you get started include:

Afterschool for All Challenge toolkit

How to host a successful site visit

Dos and don’ts for a great event

Sample invitation

Outreach strategies page

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