1,800 events promote health and wellness during Lights On Afterschool

Free fruits and vegetables, Zumba classes, color runs, yoga and mindfulness – this year’s Lights On Afterschool saw afterschool programs across the country celebrating a broad vision of health and wellness. National partners and local groups showcased the critical role afterschool programs play in supporting the health of youth, contributing to what was the biggest and brightest Lights On Afterschool ever.

At the national level, the National AfterSchool Association released their Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards 2.0 and co-hosted a webinar to discuss the strategies outlined in the standards.  Initially developed in 2011, these standards have been disseminated to tens of thousands of people, with research and evaluation to monitor their uptake ongoing, and in 2018 the standards were refreshed, resulting in the streamlined, more user-friendly Version 2.0. These standards are free to use and offer recommendations to help afterschool programs of every size and shape improve the health of their students.

KIND snacks joined forces with the Afterschool Alliance and Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play to support Lights On Afterschool this year by feeding healthy appetites. KIND provided more than 400,000 KIND Kids™ bars as complimentary snacks for guests at Lights On Afterschool events around the country. Afterschool programs from Washington State to Washington, D.C. featured healthy treats at their celebrations and on social media.

In communities nationwide, more than 1,800 local afterschool programs  showcased the impact their programs have on the health of kids at their Lights On Afterschool celebrations. Here are a few of our favorite highlights:

Visalia, California: On October 25, the Future Unique Enthusiastic Leaders (FUEL) Expanded Learning Program hosted their second annual Lights On Afterschool Color Run. The event featured an opening ceremony led by the FUEL afterschool student leadership team. Afterward, students participated in a color run. Once each student has completed the run, she or he will join a powder throw. Some 200 people attended.

Covington, Kentucky: On October 25th, the Ninth District Elementary School Family Resource Center hosted a health fair for Lights On Afterschool. Community partners promoted healthy living for students and their families, including the FreeStore Food Bank, who coordinated a “Produce Pop Up” with a truck with free fruits and vegetables. Students jumped rope, hula-hooped, walked on balance beams, tossed tennis ball, participated in line dancing and Zumba, and more. Families received healthy recipe cards and free samples, and nursing students from Northern Kentucky University and school district nurses provided health screenings, including height and weight measurements, body mass index (BMI) calculations, and blood pressure readings. Finally, Generation Rx will provide information on safe medication practices and Quit for Good Covington will provide information on smoking cessation.

Rochester, New Hampshire: The Rochester Child Care Center held eight Lights On Afterschool celebrations at different sites. Events included a Halloween Party, a Mindfulness Party, an open house, a Kindness Center, and a yoga event. The Mindfulness Party showcased a “mindful minute,” zones of regulation, and sensory bottle crafts. The yoga event featured the community yoga studio, which works with students in the afterschool program.

We are looking already looking ahead to the 20^th annual Lights On Afterschool coming October 24, 2019. We hope you’ll join us as partners for children’s health – mark your calendar now!