By Wendy Wilson, STEM Education and Communication Coordinator We Need to Talk About the Kids Research shows that what kids do after school is just as important to their futures as what they do in school. In Idaho, tens of thousands of kids attended afterschool and summer youth programs this year in large part because

Please join us in recognizing the 2022 Lights On Afterschool Champions for their outstanding contributions to youth programs in Idaho at the Idaho Out-of-School Network Power Up Summit on September 20 at 9 am at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP), 1000 W. Myrtle Street, Boise, ID 83702. Lights On Afterschool is celebrated nationwide to call

The Idaho Out-of-School Network (ION) unveiled a new educational tool today, a Think Make Create (TMC) mobile makerspace lab at the Boys and Girls Club in Nampa. It is the final of 28 TMC labs placed around Idaho just in time for fall afterschool youth programs.   A TMC mobile makerspace lab is a place

Funding from the Idaho Out-of-School Network helped a summer camp in Boise reach more young learners than ever before and allowed the program to expand its offerings to the Teton Valley. “This was transformational for the success of our summer camp operations,” said Julia Grief, Development and Alumni Coordinator for One Stone. “Staff salaries are

An afterschool program in McCall used grant funds from the Idaho Out-of-School Network to provide scholarships to families and hire more program instructors, making space for more students to join the program while keeping program costs low.  “The grant funds allowed us to bring in more students than ever,” said Ashlee Fliney, Executive Director of

Boise, ID 7-27-2023. The Idaho Out-of-School Network (ION) has awarded grants to communities and K-12 youth programs addressing the unfinished learning needs of youth and to improve the quality of out-of-school time. ION is pleased to support these exemplary programs that provide student enrichment, academic, social and emotional learning opportunities. As the impact of the

Funding from the Idaho Out-of-School Network helped sustain a YMCA summer program in Nampa all summer long. Without this funding, the program would have only had funds through the State Department of Education for a one-week summer camp. “The students and families definitely benefited from this opportunity since there are not many options for summer

Grant funding and personal, hands-on coaching from the Idaho Out-of-School Network had “an incredible impact” on a music-focused afterschool program in Boise, according to its executive director. “Our goal is to empower youth via arts education. We hear from youth and families daily letting us know the value and impact of our programming,” explained Boise

Launched in October 2000, Lights on Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year. The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights on Afterschool to draw

The African Community Development afterschool program used grant funds from the Idaho Out-of-School Network to provide refugee children with creative activities proven to aid trauma recovery. The grant funds specifically paid for staff wages, facility rent, learning supplies including STEM kits, equipment, food, field trips, and fees to musicians who kicked off creative activities at