On any given day, thousands of children arrive home from school to an empty house.
Kids between the ages of 5-13 who take care of themselves with no adult supervision before and after school on a regular basis are at increased risk of obesity, poor academic performance, isolation and high-risk behaviours. Participating in quality out-of-school programs increases protective factors and the likelihood that kids will develop social and emotional competencies and a positive sense of selves.
Unsupervised time can make children independent but sometimes can lead to challenges and adverse outcomes. School performance tends to be lower in latchkey children. Children tend to go home and spend time in front of screens rather than engage in more stimulating activities.
In Calgary, it is estimated that children and youth spend only 60% of their waking hours at school or doing homework, eating, sleeping and attending to personal care needs. This leaves kids with a great deal of discretionary time each week. What happens to children and youth during these “free” or “leisure” hours plays a critical role in their health, learning and development.
According to the 2016 ParticipACTION Report Card, only 9% of 5- to 17-year-olds in Canada meet the daily recommendation of at least 60 minutes of MVPA (moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity).
Our eight Clubs impact over 1000 lives with safe spaces during critical hours outside of school. Programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, community service, technology training, financial literacy, health and life skills, arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. Each program works to increase self-confidence, improve social and emotional understanding and build skills in learning for every child, youth or family in our programs.
Our Clubs embody our value of belonging by creating a family environment that our members and their families overwhelmingly describe as a “second home.”
Our Impact
- 1797 children and youth supported last year
- 1276 kids increased their social-emotional skills at our clubs during the critical out of school hours
- 80% of children surveyed reported that they were able to make better choices as a result of being in our Club programs