To challenge the older children with activities that meet their interests and developmental levels, an activity instructor was added to the program. This staff person spends an hour a week at each site playing organized games with these children, i.e., basketball, floor hockey, whiffle ball. The Park District also arranges to take each site to our indoor pool on a regular basis. Recently a trip to some of the local McDonald's restaurants was organized. We have added Kids Clubs at some locations where children spend an hour a week in an activity or interest of their choice with a smaller social group.
Children can participate in their club for four weeks and then sign up for a new one.
In order to meet the needs of working parents, the after-school staff arrives prior to all early release times at each site. A variety of trips and outside activities is planned to make sure everyone has a good time. A number of park districts in Illinois are providing before and after school programs with school districts in their area. Maureen Metcalf is the Child Care Supervisor at the Dundee Township Park District. She is Chair of the School Age Child Care Committee and a member of the IPRA Recreation Programming Section.