What are kids doing in your program that sparks learning in cool, fun, and innovative ways??

Afterschool programs play an important role in exposing students to meaningful learning opportunities in innovative, hands-on, and exciting ways. In doing so, effective afterschool programs play an essential role in “making learning stick.”

The Lights! Camera! Learning! project is about taking a fresh look at your afterschool program and how you can best document and record those activities, opportunities, and programs that engage your children/ youth in learning in new and exciting ways.

To learn more about the project, view the Spotlight on Afterschool by Senator Patrick Leahy or watch the winning videos. And keep those cameras rolling…. the next round of Lights! Camera! Learning! will open this spring!

The Vermont Center for Afterschool Excellence, in partnership with the Vermont Department of Education, runs an individualized coaching model for afterschool program directors and providers. In this model, small learning groups are formed around specific topics and each learning group or strand is led by a highly-qualified coach. As an important component of the learning, the coach also works one-on-one with each participant helping them to apply what they’ve learned to their individual programs. The strands and topics for 2010-2011 are available here. For more information and registration information, please email hollymorehouse@vermontafterschool.org .

Students Shannon Burke and Sierra Keon from the Newark Street Afterschool Program get a moment in the State House with Governor Jim Douglas

The 2010 Vermont Afterschool for All Legislative Day was held on March 25th in Montpelier, VT. This event brought together afterschool program providers and supporters from all over the state to Montpelier to meet with legislators, state leaders, and others about the important role afterschool programs play in the lives of Vermont’s children and youth.

This year’s event was co-sponsored by the Vermont Center for Afterschool Excellence and the Vermont School Age Care Network. To learn more and to see photographs from this year’s event, click here.