As summer fun ended and September approached, Hempstead Boys & Girls Club rolled out a new programming structure for it’s after school programs. The idea behind this change was an attempt to standardize our programs. We wanted children at all 5 sites to have the same solid experiences. We also wanted to create opportunities for shared learning between the sites which would arise if all the members were participating in similar activities. Finally, this attempt came from a desire to create a stronger partnership with the schools our members attend by paying attention to state wide tests and making sure that we supplemented existing programs with some extra learning.

New to our programs this year is Thematic Programming. Twice a week on Mondays and Wednesday’s, sites have a 1 hour time block that allows them to get creative within a specific theme. An example of this is October’s theme of social studies. Each site concentrated on social studies that month in preparation for Novembers state wide social studies test. Each site was responsible for combining fun activities with social studies learning. Our Lakeview Site decided to concentrate on Mexico for their social studies theme and learned all about the culture and celebration of Dia de los Muertos and then celebrated that holiday instead of Halloween. Members created movable skeletons and mask for decorations as well as learned the history of Mexico. They also created a piñata to use during their celebration. The Terrace Ave site chose to concentration on social studies the same way and included the creation of a ceremonial alter. Members brought pictures of loved ones who had passed away to decorate this alter. They had a celebration with family and friends on October 29^th where members shared their pictures and gave speeches about the person they were choosing to celebrate. Our Fulton site went a different way and chose to combine Social Studies with their Triple Play Sports Activities. During the thematic time slot they would learn about a culture and during Triple Play Sports they would learn a sport or physical activity that went along with the culture they studied. Members enjoyed this a great deal and couldn’t wait to see what they were going to learn next. It was a great experience all around because members who usually shy away from sports activities didn’t even realize they were getting physically fit.

This year members also participate in club time. Each quarter members are offered a variety of clubs to choose from based on special talents of staff members and the interests of the members. Members sign up for a club at the beginning of a quarter and then attend the club twice a week for 45 minutes. This gives members a feeling of choice and ownership in part of their activities. It also allows for groups of children with similar interests to interact and build strong bonds. Club Time can also expose members to new activities. In Lakeview one member has a strong passion and talent for knitting. Other members were interested in this and wanted to learn so a knitting club was implemented for Quarter two in which the Club member was the lead facilitator and materials that were needed we purchased for her to teach other members. That specific club has a strong draw of both males and females ages 6-13. Other examples of clubs include cheerleading, dance, chess, poetry, music appreciation, chorus, flag football and basketball. During Quarter 1 our Teen Center Basketball Club traveled to the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club at Lincoln House to participate in a Basketball tournament where they played in two games loosing one and winning the second. Club Time allows for children to identity their personal interests and develop the skill needed to be successful, as well as just having fun doing what they love. These changes made through out the current school open exciting doors for Hempstead Boys & Girls Club and we are looking forward to the journey we are on.