A new afterschool program is set to begin this fall on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College, offering local elementary school students a unique blend of academic support and enrichment activities.
The program, named “The Adventure After School,” is a collaborative effort between Appalachian Impact, a local nonprofit organization, and The Center for Community Engagement at West Virginia Wesleyan College. It aims to provide a safe and healthy environment for students in grades 2-5 while their parents complete their workday.
The program will run on Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is divided into two semesters. The first semester is scheduled from September to November, with the second semester running from January to April. Each semester is affordably priced at just $20, making it accessible to many families in the area.
“The West Virginia Afterschool Network tells us that students engage in the riskiest behaviors between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. while their parents or guardians are still at work,” said program coordinator Julie McCourt. “The Adventure came about as a way to help give students safer choices after school in a fun and healthy way.”
Key features of The Adventure After School program include:
- Tutoring and homework help to improve academic performance
- Healthy eating initiatives
- Character development exercises
- Fun experiences to build confidence
- Partnerships with on-campus groups
The program aims to reinforce what students learn during the school day while also providing fun and engaging activities. By collaborating with various campus groups, the organizers hope to expose participants to a wide range of experiences and potential future interests.
“We like the idea of having the program on a college campus because it introduces students to a wide variety of experiences all in one location –sports, academics, music, theater, art, and so much more,” McCourt said. “If The Adventure is successful this school year, we hope to expand the program to more days of the week.”
Parents interested in securing a spot for their child for the fall semester are encouraged to email McCourt at julie@appalachianimpact.org.
