Lights On Afterschool Celebration

TUSTIN, Calif. - Oct. 22, 2014 - PRLog -- On Thursday, October 23^rd, the YMCA of Orange County will participate in the Afterschool Alliance’s 15^th Annual Lights On afterschool event, which will highlight the importance of enrichment opportunities in children’s afterschool programs.

This event will bring people together at thousands of community centers, malls, parks, and schools to learn about the many ways afterschool programs support student success both in the classroom and in life. The YMCA offers over 50 before and afterschool childcare sites across Orange County, conveniently located on elementary and middle school campuses.

Recent projects from YMCA of Orange County childcare kids include “Smile, Pass It on”; Anti-Bullying campaigns, and Clubs. “Smile, Pass It On” was created as a service-learning project for kids participating in YMCA Summer Camp to help raise awareness about childhood cancer. Campers brainstormed, researched, and told jokes in order to create a book of jokes, pictures, and silly stories that would be delivered to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) in the month of September. “This project was a great way for our youth to learn about the cause and take initiative to help brighten the lives of children at CHOC.” says Sean Phillips, Childcare Director of Operations at the YMCA. For more information about Smile, Pass it On, visit www.ymcaoc.org/smile.

Anti-bullying campaigns take place at YMCA childcare centers across Orange County and encourage children to think about the consequences of their words and actions towards others. This project encourages children to be more compassionate and teaches them how positive and negative words can affect others. Anti-bullying education is the first step in decreasing bullying-related childhood depression.

Every YMCA childcare center has its own Club Curriculum which is taught regularly. Clubs include healthy eating, gardening, photography, art, science, journalism, and more. More information on Clubs at the YMCA can be found at www.ymcaoc.org/clubs

The YMCA of Orange County believes that service learning and character development activities are an integral part of their youth programs and afterschool curriculum. Service learning provides a holistic learning and community engagement experience and supports the development of substantive knowledge, critical thinking and leadership skills, positive character traits, and community involvement.