🌟 One Evening. One Message. Countless Lives Impacted. 🌟 Each year, Lights On Afterschool shines a spotlight on something our community already knows to be true: afterschool changes lives. Across New Jersey and around the country, programs opened their doors to celebrate the creativity, curiosity, and confidence that young people develop every day through quality out-of-school time experiences. Families, educators, community leaders, and advocates came together to recognize the people and programs that make these…

🧪 STEM Activities For Summer Camp From Mizzen By this point in the summer, you’ve probably noticed something: Young people are naturally curious. They want to build things, test ideas, ask questions, take things apart, and figure out how the world works. As camp leaders and educators, the challenge is often finding activities that channel that curiosity without requiring hours of prep or a closet full of supplies. That’s why we created our STEM Activities…

🌞 NAA Has Quite a Bright Spotlight This Month Help children, youth, and families thrive Advance your impact on children, youth, and families with The Ohio State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS). Designed for working professionals, this flexible, transfer-credit-friendly degree integrates psychology, sociology, and developmental science to help you better understand human development across the lifespan. Prepare for meaningful roles in education, human services, public policy, and related fields that…

✨ Inspiring New Ideas for a Changing OST Landscape ✨ As the needs of youth, families, and communities continue to evolve, so too must the programs that serve them. This year’s Soaring Beyond Expectations: A Statewide Afterschool Celebration once again brought together afterschool professionals from across New Jersey to explore innovative practices, exchange fresh ideas, and strengthen the future of out-of-school time. Hosted in partnership with New Jersey’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers Programs, the…

NJSACC’s 2026-2027 Professional Development Opportunities Looking for a year of quality support at no cost to your program? Applications are now open for the Quality Support for Afterschool (QSA) program! What is QSA?QSA is a year-long quality improvement opportunity designed to help afterschool programs strengthen their practices through individualized coaching, professional learning, assessment, and goal-setting. Who should apply?Licensed and subsidized school-age child care programs throughout New Jersey. What will your program receive?✓ Support from a…

NJSACC’s Quality Team News NJSACC’s Quality Team has two big announcements to share this summer. First, congratulations to our own Patricia Pugliese who has been promoted to the newly created Senior Quality Specialist position in recognition of her expertise, leadership, & years with NJSACC’s Quality Team. Second, please join us in welcoming Kyle Vandenberg to NJSACC’s Quality Team as a Quality Specialist. Kyle’s many years in the OST field and very active engagement with NJSACC’s professional development made him the perfect choice among…

NJSACC Celebrates French-American Heritage Month. You can too. French-American Heritage Month takes place in July and is a month to celebrate the contributions French-Americans have made to American history, society and culture. SOME French-American Heritage Month Resources Bastille Day Activities for Kids France Lesson for Kids: History & Facts France Lesson Plan for Elementary School French Art Activities for Kids The French-American Cultural Foundation’s History and Resources NJSACC staff has taken full advantage of this…

5 Strategies for Sustaining Summer Learning Programs Strategies for Sustainability OST professionals understand that summer learning programs face various hurdles. From funding fluctuations to staffing issues and beyond, these challenges underscore the importance of long-term planning and sustainability. Podcast guests covered helpful strategies, starting with creating a sense of ownership among stakeholders. Actively engage stakeholders so that they’re invested. Cultivate a positive culture. Develop mindset shifts in adapting to changing circumstances. Incorporate enrichment into summer learning, something that may be…

🎆 Reflecting on Independence: Afterschool and the American Spirit As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we’re reminded that independence is not just a historical milestone—it’s a shared value we nurture every day. In afterschool programs across the country, young people are exploring their voices, building confidence, and learning how to contribute meaningfully to their communities. This holiday offers a chance to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and the responsibilities we carry to ensure…