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NJSACC

Celebrate Afterschool! Outdoors in the Garden State

NJSACC: The Statewide Afterschool Network encourages afterschool programs to Celebrate Afterschool! Outdoors in the Garden State. Celebrate Afterschool! is a month long event in its fifth year that helps to bring children in afterschool programs outside and connect them with their communities through meaningful and fun activities outdoors.

Each year, NJSACC asks Afterschool programs across the state spend time outside doing intentional outdoor activities.

NJSACC has created an Activities Guide for providers that list easy, inexpensive activities that can connect children with nature in categories like Trees and Leaves and Nature Art. There are lists of field trips and enrichment program resources for providers as well as nature fun facts and nature experiments that can be done in only a few minutes.

NJSACC uses the platform of Celebrate Afterschool! Outdoors in the Garden State to shine a Spotlight on Quality Afterschool. Help us to spread the word about Quality Afterschool by choosing a date to celebrate with us virtually.

What to do:

  1. Choose a date for your program to Celebrate Afterschool! Outdoors in the Garden State
  2. Document your event and activities with photos and captions
    Download a Photo Release form for any youth in the photos.
  3. Share that with us so we can share with the NJ Afterschool Community
    Email your picture to us.

We will share your event and activities here:

  • Facebook.com/njsacc
  • Twitter.com/njsacc
  • Afterschool FLASH

Need ideas? Click here.

The Benefits of Outdoor and Nature Play in Afterschool Programs

“In Afterschool, we have the children from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, prime time for outdoor play and we have a captive audience that we can explore the fascinating wonder of nature,” says Diane Genco, Executive Director of NJSACC.

Afterschool programs expand children’s connection with nature because quality programs bring children outside to play on a daily basis. Given more time than in-school recess, the lengthened outdoor play time during afterschool programs can promote exercise, expression and exploration. It doesn’t matter if the program is in the city, country or suburb; when outside, children can benefit simply from the sunshine, fresh air, bright colors of nature and the fluffs of clouds.

Nature exploration and outdoor play benefit children in many ways, including promoting physical and cognitive development, promoting positive behavior and education. Nature play assists in developing children’s visual-spatial skills, improves powers of observation and creativity and helps to improve concentration.

Celebrate Afterschool! Outdoors in the Garden State

  • Check out the New Jersey Quality Standards for Afterschool
  • Indoor and Outdoor Environment
  • Programming and Activities

For more information, contact Lee McDermott Schaefer, NJSACC’s Policy Director, here.

Recent Posts

  • NJ Child Nutrition Fund – Equipment Grants available! April 15, 2021
  • American Rescue Plan: How to Access Funds for Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs – join us this Wed Apr 21 – 2pm April 15, 2021
  • Register FREE for ‘Soaring Beyond Expectations 2021: A Statewide Afterschool Celebration’ – Fri Jun 11 April 14, 2021
  • READY, SET, SUMMER! Check out this great introduction to Inclusion for your Summer Camp staff! Join NJSACC and KIT in May and June. April 14, 2021
  • NJSACC Celebrates National Poetry Month! April 14, 2021
  • Coming in May! It’s time to Celebrate Afterschool: Outdoors in the Garden State April 14, 2021
  • Supporting Distance Learning in School-Age Programs Workshop – join NJSACC and KIT on Wed Apr 21 at 11am April 13, 2021
  • NJSACC’s COVID-19 Updates April 12, 2021
  • Showcase Alley Returns! Join us next Thursday April 22 at 11am for this Virtual Event! April 11, 2021
  • Useful Techniques for Maintaining Physical Distancing in Groups April 8, 2021
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