Tips from the Pros: Getting the most from your Lights On event

This October 24 marks our 20th Lights On Afterschool, and we’re so excited to welcome new programs to our celebration as well as those who have been celebrating from the very beginning. Register today and don’t miss out – every program that signs up gets 150 KIND snacks for your event, until supplies run out!

To get your Lights On planning juices flowing, we’ve pulled tips from some of our longest-standing Lights On event organizers. You can find all their practical tips and to-dos in our Case Studies section of the Event Planning Kit. Or, browse hundreds of past events using our searchable event database. You can search events by theme, level of difficulty, or planning time needed.

One theme is common across event organizers’ advice: work with partners. In the words of one program leader, “Bring together as many stakeholders as possible to plan an event that is both youth-focused and showcases the benefits of afterschool programs. Invite national, state and local officials.”

Here are snapshots from just a few of the Case Studies available in our Event Planning Kit.

Celebration led by youth

Numerous state officials, including a congresswoman, 1,200 participants, and 35 event co-hosts took part in a community-wide event emceed by a high school student, and featured student performances and remarks by youth and local leaders. “The stars of the program were the kids,” said event organizer Susan Waters. “The closing act was a rap group of young people who called themselves The Academics. They turned the message of being successful in school into a rap. The crowd was on its feet!... For me, the most compelling statement of the evening came as the crowd was going home and I was packing things up,” she continued. “A middle school boy came to me and said, ‘Why can’t we have afterschool programs at my school?’ I can only hope that events like this one will help to make his request a reality.”

Expo at the mall attracts local leaders

This Lights On Afterschool event brought 45 programs across the district together to hold an afterschool showcase at the local mall. The event, which drew more than 700 attendees, drew on the talents of children from programs across the school district, featuring singing, cheers, ballet folklorico, poetry, hip-hop dance, steppers, Tae Kwon Do, a band performance, a fashion show, and Kung Fu. Displays on various afterschool learning opportunities filled the mall walkways on two floors in front of the store, giving parents, the media and policy makers the chance to sample the programs' rich and diverse curriculum.

Creative partnerships in a rural community celebration

Three area restaurants in a small military community helped make Lights On Afterschool a success by donating food and space inside the restaurant to promote the rally and gift certificates for contest winners.  The collaboration led to their most-attended event ever. And, the afterschool programs have continued the relationship with the restaurants, one even sponsored, organized, and ran a field hockey team!

In a small town, advised the event organizer, many of the adults working in restaurants, banks, and shops have a strong connection to the local schools—they either have kids who currently attend or who used to attend school locally. Putting that connection to work is key.