Our After School Youth Club program had the honor of being presented as a model after a school program at the 2005 National Recreation and Parks Congress; mainly due to initiatives that have been set in place by our department.  Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation Commission's vision statement states that SCPRC "strives to promote healthy lifestyle choices and individual development for all citizens...".  To achieve that vision for youth, SCPRC formed a Youth Development Office whose primary goal is to create programs that teach children important skills that will help them develop to their fullest potential.  In addition to providing a safe place after school hours, the program has three targeted goals: character education, nutrition, and fitness.  These goals are delivered through recreational activities which allow the children to learn new behaviors in a fun setting.  In addition, the children are fed a nutritous snack and are provided the proper environment to complete homework.

In order to accomplish teaching children about proper nutrition some AYC sites participate in the DSS Healthy Snack Program, and the others strive to serve a similar menu of snacks at their sites.  They use themes such as "Fresh Fruit Friday" or "Taste Test Challenge" to elevate the children's interest in healthy snacks.  Often, children participate in planning the week's healthy snacks, and are encouraged to choose foods that they have never tried before. Each Afterschool program also plants, cares for, and harvests a vegetable garden throughout the year.  The harvested food is then prepared by the children, under the guidance of senior adult volunteers or staff members.

AYC is loaded with physical games that promote fitness and creat an atmosphere that facilitates participation.  Each site has unique running games, fun exercise classes, sports that are played, and many sites utilize outdoor trails for nature walks.  There are many opportunities for kids to have structured physical activities and there are scheduled times each day for kids to have free play in order to participate in whatever activity is the most appealing to each individual child.  Physical fitness is achieved through a variety of means; whether it is playing on the outside playground equipment of participating in a running game like "Sharks & Jellyfish," it is obvious that fitness is an integral part of AYC.

In addition to helping children devleop more healthy lifestyles, SCPRC wants to help the children develop good character traits.  Each month a new "Character Counts" theme is studied through fun arts, crafts, and games.  Counselors implement programs on manners, making good choices, and contributing to your community through the use of games, educational videos, guest presenters, and service projects.  Some of the service projects completed by AYC last year were, "Parent's Night in the Pumpkin Patch" which was a fundraiser for Spartanburg Children's Shelter, "Clemson vs. Carolina Canned Food Drive" for The Haven, collection of newspapers for the Animal Shelter, and a letter writing campaign for military personnel serving overseas.  We use every opportunity to teach children about the importance of having good character.

A full day program is offered on teacher workdays and most school holidays.  Programs are located at Campobello Gramling Elementary School, Duncan Elementary School, Holly Springs Motlow Elementary School, Inman Elementary School, Inman Intermediate School, New Prospect Elementary School, O.P. Earle Elementary School, T.W. Edwards Recreation Center in Pacolet, and Woodruff Leisure Center.

For more information call the Youth Development Office at 864-472-3634.