Illinois parents can keep their children occupied in sports, music and arts activities after school. Public and private after school programs, park district sports leagues, and reading programs at public libraries are just some of the choices open to elementary school children and high school students in Chicago and throughout the Land of Lincoln. Private schools, and some public schools, depending on region, stay open long after regular daily classes have ended, and offer drama clubs and other extensions of regular classes.
Music Lessons and Band Practice
Most public and private schools in Illinois have music departments which offer after school lessons in piano and other instruments. High school students can join their school's band and attend band practice one or more days a week after regular classes have ended. Parents in the Chicago area have many after school options for their children. The Merit School of Music in the West Loop provides instrument and music theory classes for groups and individuals after school. Merit also offers lessons at private and parochial schools throughout Chicago. The P.A.U.S E. Afterschool music program gives lessons to inner-city and disadvantaged students free of charge.
School Sports
The Illinois High School Athletic Association (IHSA) officially sanctions 28 sports for boy and girls, including competitive cheerleading. Both public and parochial schools belong to the association. Students participate in practice and games after school. Illinois Elementary School Association member schools offer competitive sports activities for children, ranging from softball and basketball to bowling and chess.
4-H Clubs
4-H, a youth organization developed by the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Food Institute, is most prominent in rural areas, but has branches all over Illinois. 4-H stands for Head, Heart, Health and Hands. The organization sponsors after school activities for teens and children in agriculture and other fields. 4-H programs serve children from kindergarten to 12th grade, The Health Rocks program for kids from 8 to 14, helps them to make wise choices about tobacco, drugs and alcohol. The University of Illinois's 4-H extension program gives kids a chance to participate in the Illinois State Fair, and participate in science, engineering and leadership programs.
Park District
The Chicago Park District's Department of Environment, Culture and Special Events sponsors after school programs that introduce kids to a variety of healthy activities. Kids can learn about fishing through the "Fish 'n' Kids" program or join the Nature Oasis Explorers, a hiking group that meets after school in parks around the city. Other cities and towns throughout the state offer after school programs through local community organizations and parks.
Illinois Youth Development Council
On July 27, 2010, a bill creating the Illinois Youth Development Council was passed in the General Assembly. This bill creates a council to oversee and strengthen after school activities for all children, especially at-risk youth and the poor. The Illinois After-School Partnership, another state organization, provides a searchable list of after school programs for youth statewide. The database makes it easy for parents to locate recreational programs in their communities, from Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) youth swimming programs to art classes sponsored by local non-profits. Organizations like the Y also offer before and after school child care programs, which often include games, sports and other activities for children.
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