In the area around Hagerstown, Maryland, there are several after school activities to keep your children safe and entertained. Many of these programs offer children opportunities for outside play, encourage participation in games and provide materials for arts and crafts projects. Additionally, many of the options for after school care provide your child with educational activities and homework assistance.
Academic Benefits
According to the Policy Studies Association, children who attend after school programs score higher on standardized math tests than children who do not attend these programs. Based on the results of a study conducted at the University of California and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, middle school-age children who participate in after school programs for two years will see a gain of 12 percentiles on math scores.
Social Benefits
The Policy Studies Association determined that children who attend after school programs have fewer behavioral problems compared to children who do not attend formal after school programs. This study showed that children who attended an after school program had a reduced risk of being involved with drugs or alcohol. Based on the findings from the University of California and University of Wisconsin-Madison, students will be four to six times less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol if they regularly attend an after school program.
Physical Activity
Across Hagerstown are locations where middle school age children can participate in a variety of after-school programs that focus on physical activity. Through these programs, middle school age children learn courage, goal setting and communication skills along with increasing stamina, flexibility and overall health.
School Programs
At Hagerstown Community College, there is a children's learning center dedicated to providing a high-quality childhood development program to children. This after school program is available year-round. The program runs until 6 p.m. Children must attend the program at least two days per week. Also in Hagerstown is a YMCA after-school program that offers an after school program held at Pangborn, Lincolnshire, Bester, Salem, Williamsport and Emma K. Doub schools. This program runs directly after school until 6 p.m.
Non-School Programs
From Monday through Friday, the Contemporary School of the Arts & Gallery in Hagerstown offers an after-school program. This program runs from 3 to 7 p.m. While at class, children are offered homework help and a variety of arts classes, including pastels, pen, watercolors and drawing. Classes are held on Franklin Street and the gallery also offers outreach programs at Memorial Recreation Center, Nolan and Elgin Station. An option for after-school care that focuses on physical activity is the Premier Martial Arts of Hagerstown. This program teaches children martial arts, karate and kick boxing in an environment that promotes personal development and physical fitness.
Resources
The Maryland Cooperative Extension offers information to families looking for before- and after-school care for children. In addition, the Maryland Committee for Children offers "Locate: Child Care," a computerized database that includes information on regulated child care in Maryland, including school age programs. The committee also offers the Maryland Child Care Resource Network After-School Database, with information on "programs (that are) regulated by the Maryland State Department of Education's Office of Child Care, certified by the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene or monitored by a local entity."
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