NC Center for Afterschool Programs

09/04/2026

Nature is full of opportunities to explore math in meaningful ways.

Join the free ACRES virtual workshop, Math is Everywhere: Numeracy in Nature, on Monday, September 14, at 12:30 PM ET. Discover hands-on activities, explore math in the natural world, and gain access to resources you can use right away.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4hoaPuh

09/03/2026

Great news! We’ve extended the deadline for the NC CAP Afterschool Champion Awards! 🎉

Do you know an outstanding afterschool or out-of-school-time (OST) professional making a substantial difference for children and families across North Carolina? You now have until September 25 to submit your nominations!

Whether they are just starting out or have dedicated their lives to this work, we want to celebrate them. Nominate a champion in one of three categories:
🌟 Emerging Afterschool Champion: Early career (up to 5 years of experience)
🌟 Distinguished Afterschool Champion: Mid-career (5 to 15 years of experience)
🌟 Lifelong Afterschool Champion: Veterans (15+ years of experience) with a lasting community impact

Your nominations highlight their incredible contributions and inspire others to see the vital importance of OST programs.

Submit your nomination before September 25: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkqGT8PDF6cImseQljykikOfJqSd3BO6wk1oLOGZL9PMmyRg/viewform?usp=header

09/01/2026

📢 Huge news for North Carolina’s afterschool and OST community!

You already know that your programs give kids a safe place to unplug, explore, and build real-world confidence. Now, state leaders are recognizing it too.

NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson recently announced a historic child safety settlement with Meta, and he urged the General Assembly to direct these funds straight into afterschool programs, summer learning, and student mental health!

Right now, NC is one of 22 states without dedicated state-level afterschool funding. If the General Assembly chooses to direct these funds to afterschool, it could be a game-changer for our field, our programs, and the 664,000 children currently waiting for access.

📰NC CAP is fighting to make sure these funds reach the kids, families, and communities that need them most.
Read our full statement here: http://ncafterschool.org/media-statement-nc-cap-applauds-attorney-general-jeff-jacksons-call-to-direct-meta-settlement-funds-to-afterschool-programs/

Want to join the movement? Check out our Fund IRL (In Real Life) NC campaign to help us advocate for sustainable funding!
➡️ https://www.fundirlnc.org/

Social media companies are facing massive lawsuits across the country for the harm they’ve caused our kids. We want to take the awards and settlements from those lawsuits, and pour it right back into local afterschool and summer programs.

08/28/2026

We want to send a huge shoutout and thank you to AB Studios, one of our wonderful sponsors for Synergy 2026!

Back-to-school season brings shifting rosters, staffing adjustments, and plenty of excitement. To help afterschool leaders and staff hit the ground running, AB Studios has shared three fantastic back-to-school tools:

✨ Printable Back-to-School Checklist

Get a timeline-based checklist starting 4–6 weeks out to guide your staff through logins, supply orders, and opening day prep.

➡️ Download here: https://abstudios.com/resources/the-back-to-school-checklist-for-after-school-programs/

✨ What Belongs in Your Back-to-School Checklist?
Learn how to organize operational priorities so your program runs smoothly from day one.

➡️ Read here: https://abstudios.com/what-should-be-in-your-programs-back-to-school-checklist/

✨ 10 Tips for Back-to-School Season in Afterschool
Explore 10 hands-on tips—from setting up arrival jump-in activities to station rotations that keep students engaged.

➡️ Read here: https://abstudios.com/10-tips-for-back-to-school-season-in-afterschool/

Thank you, AB Studios, for supporting NC CAP and helping North Carolina's afterschool programs thrive! 💙

Here are 10 practical ways to get your afterschool program, staff, and space ready before the first week back.

08/27/2026

Nominations are officially open for our annual Afterschool Champion awards!

The Afterschool Champions awards honor individuals at various stages of their careers who have made significant impacts in the field of afterschool and OST programs. Awards are given in three categories:
- Emerging Afterschool Champion (for early career professionals with up to five years of experience);
- Distinguished Afterschool Champion Award (for professionals with five to 15 years of experience); and
- Lifelong Afterschool Champion (for professionals with more than 15 years of experience who has made a lasting impact on the community).

Your nominations play a crucial role in highlighting their contributions and inspiring others to recognize the importance of afterschool and OST opportunities in our communities.

Nominations are open until September 1, 2026. Submit your nomination today!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkqGT8PDF6cImseQljykikOfJqSd3BO6wk1oLOGZL9PMmyRg/viewform?usp=header

08/24/2026

💡 We are turning the lights on for afterschool! 💡

This October, join us for the 27th year of Lights On Afterschool! Last year, over a million people across the country celebrated the incredible impact of afterschool and summer programs. These programs are vital—they help kids become stronger learners, earners, and leaders. But with 22.6 million kids still missing out, our advocacy in North Carolina is more important than ever.

Are you planning an event for your community?
🎨 Register today and get 10 FREE posters to help spread the word!
🧠 Need ideas? Browse 200 fresh ideas in the searchable Event Ideas Database—from haunted houses to student film premieres!
💻 Join the Webinar: Tune into the Lights On Afterschool 101 webinar on Wed, Sept 9 at 2 PM ET for planning tips and inspiration!

Let's shine a light on NC's amazing afterschool communities! ✨
👇 Register your event or learn more here: https://bit.ly/4bRlYQz

08/21/2026

Looking to bring exciting new opportunities to your afterschool program this fall? 🍂🤝

As the new school year starts, check out our Afterschool and Industry Partnership Playbook! It's a fantastic resource to help you build meaningful partnerships with local businesses. Discover actionable steps to inspire your students with career-connected learning right from the start of the year.

📖 Read the playbook here: https://ncafterschool.org/stem-hub/

Interested in working with other providers through the implementation process of the Community of Practice? Fill out this form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdireLq95Eq_CCDdR3x-_azcjRXSk9clMnt6TkksU99MXbd3Q/viewform

08/20/2026

As the kids head back to the classroom next week, it's time for providers to plan ahead, too! 📝✨

Start the school year strong by registering for Synergy 2026! Join top afterschool leaders and educators from across NC for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration. Bring fresh ideas back to your programs this year!

🔗 Grab your ticket on our website: https://ncafterschool.org/synergy-conference-2026/

08/19/2026

School starts next week! 🎒✏️ Do you have your afterschool plan sorted out yet?

If you're still looking for the right fit for your child, check out the NC CAP Mapping Database! You can easily search for out-of-school time programs in your area by zip code, specific activities, or grades served. Take the stress out of the first week of school and find a great program today!

Share this with other parents who might still be looking! 👇

📍 Find a program near you: https://ncafterschool.org/mapping-database/

08/18/2026

Are you passionate about the educators, counselors, and mentors who sustain youth development work?

🌟We are excited to share a Call for Chapters for Book 10 of the Current Issues in Out-of-School Time series, titled "The Youth Development Workforce: Pathways, Environments, and Equity".

Editors are welcoming proposals from a wide variety of perspectives, including:
- Researchers and policy analysts.
- Practitioners and youth workers.
- Organizational leaders and young people.

Deadline: Please submit your chapter proposals by August 31, 2026, to [email protected]. For information about this unique opportunity, visit https://bit.ly/4gwqJl9