Have you ever had the experience of driving toward the Rocky Mountains? One of the most thrilling moments in the trip is when you first sight the peaks in the distance. As you get closer and closer to them, excitement builds as they come into clearer focus. When you finally reach them, the view is awe-inspiring. You realize that the drive was well worth the effort. As you hike or ski in them, you create memories that you never forget. Once you leave, you long to get back and experience the thrill all over again.
This analogy somewhat describes where we as a community are in after school activities for our young people. We can see where we are headed or where we want to be. There is a longing on the part of many people to get to the final destination. People are gaining excitement as the gap between where we are and where we want to be is closing. The tremendous satisfaction that will be felt once all young people have great opportunities after school is almost palatable.
Recently a group of people who are working very hard to make this vision a reality met to discuss where we currently are and where we want to be. Represented at the meeting were individuals from Columbus Middle School, Columbus Collaborative Team, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Platte County, YMCA, Youth for Christ, and the Columbus Public Schools English as a Second Language Department.
It was shared that every public elementary school has a well organized after school program. These fee-based programs all include homework help, play activities, snacks, weekly trips to the YMCA, and outside resource speakers. The UNL Extension after hours programs are so popular that they have a waiting list.
The Columbus Middle School also has an after school opportunity. Theirs runs two days a week and is a collaborative effort between CMS, UNL Extension and Youth for Christ.
The middle school offering is interest based. Students are given the opportunity to choose from a variety of options such as cooking, games, self-defense, and creative writing. Also included in their program is a time for homework help and snacks. A grant from United Way is paying for this first-year program, which is for all city 6-8 grade students.
As great a start as these programs are, the final destination is still in the distance. For example, only about ten to fifteen percent of elementary students can take advantage of the programs due to space limitations and the cost of fees. The middle school offering operates two days a week. About ten to fifteen percent of their students are in attendance.
The middle school program also is limited by outdoor space. Because it has limited outside area, such popular programs as soccer, softball, and baseball cannot be offered. Not being able to expand into outdoor activities limits the options students have for fitness activities. It is likely that more active offerings such as these would significantly increase the number of participants. Related to the problem above is transportation. If there were ways to transport these students to other parts of town, more activities could be offered.
So while the potential of excellent after-school offerings for all students is clearly in sight, there is still a ways to go. In fact, without further financial help the dream of having this for all children and families every day after school will not be realized.
As has been said before, providing productive after school options for young people is a key replacement for the negative after-school choices they often make. These include drugs, alcohol, crime, gang activity, and premarital sex. These harmful past times often take place because young people do not have adult supervision or positive alternatives from which to choose.
The positive impacts on the Columbus community from having attractive after school offerings for all young people are clearly seen. The experience will also improve the quality of life for all citizens. Let’s hope we do not run out of gas before we get there!
If you are interested in helping create positive after-school options for Columbus youth or have ideas on how to do so, email Dr. Hillyer at phillyer@esu7.org.
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