Finding activities for kids after school

FDA Consumer, May-June, 2002 by John Henkel

Across the United States an estimated 5 million children spend nonschool hours with no adult supervision, according to federal statistics. Add to this the fact that peak hours for juvenile crime are between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and that unsupervised youths are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, and the critical importance of having something constructive for kids to do after school becomes apparent.

To help point kids and teens to resources for after-school programs and to give parents, teachers and others ideas for launching new activities, a multi-agency coalition has created Afterschool.gov. This Web site gives many tips for starting an after-school program, including funding it, keeping it safe, providing transportation, and even ensuring that regulations from various states are met.

The site also serves as a gateway to fun and enriching Web sites that can help kids do their homework, reinforce a skill learned in school, locate a job, or just find out more about the world around them. Parents, too, can find information ranging from resources on child and adolescent development to background on family vacations at federal parks.

Go to www.afterschool.gov.