Brookings Great After School Place

06/11/2026

We will not be going to pool today due to weather . Please pick your child up at their site. Thank you 😊

06/04/2026

Adolescence is a period where relationships, belonging, and identity formation are central to development. Research shows that strong peer connections and supportive adult relationships are protective factors for mental health.

But many young people are spending more time in digital environments while having fewer opportunities for meaningful, in-person engagement.

This isn’t just about screen time. It’s about access to environments that support healthy development.

Youth development programs help create those environments. They offer consistent relationships, dedicated spaces, and engaging opportunities where young people can build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging as they find their footing in the world.

These experiences don’t happen by chance. They are intentionally built to keep young people engaged and coming back.

If new public resources become available through social media litigation, investing in these programs is a practical way to strengthen the conditions that support youth well-being.

Fund IRL is working to ensure that connection is part of the response.

Join us: FundIRL.org.

06/02/2026

South Dakota’s working families need strong out-of-school time opportunities and the new Child Care Task Force report highlights why.

📊 About 60,000 school-age children in South Dakota need afterschool or summer care, but only 20,000 are currently being served.

💲 The average annual cost of care is nearly $7,900, placing a significant burden on families.

👥 Workforce shortages continue to challenge programs, with many staff earning near or below $15 per hour, leading to high turnover and limited enrollment.

⭐ Consistent, high-quality experiences for children depend on stable staffing, but frequent turnover makes that increasingly difficult.

The report, Practical Pathways for Supporting Working Families Through Out-of-School Time, outlines actionable recommendations to expand access, strengthen the workforce, improve affordability, and support quality programs across South Dakota.

Every child deserves access to safe, engaging learning opportunities beyond the school day and every family deserves the support they need to thrive.

Learn more by reading the full report here: https://bit.ly/3PPBYea

05/27/2026

05/12/2026

Across the country, parents, schools, policymakers, and the public are confronting a complex question:

What do young people actually need to thrive in a digital world?

The research is increasingly clear on one point.
Young people’s well-being is shaped not only by what they experience online, but by the relationships, opportunities, and sense of belonging they have in their daily lives.

It’s in these spaces that they build confidence, explore who they are, and experience joy.

Youth well-being and development programs provide those conditions. They are not enrichment. They are part of the prevention infrastructure that supports healthy development.

At the same time, social media litigation is advancing in multiple states. If those cases result in settlements, public leaders will face decisions about how those resources are used.

Fund IRL is a national coalition working to ensure that if social media lawsuits result in financial settlements, those resources are invested in programs, services, and “in real life” opportunities that promote youth well-being and healthy development.

This is a moment to define what meaningful investment in youth well-being looks like.

Join the coalition and help shape what comes next: FundIRL.org.

04/29/2026

Summer programming open houses

Ksite May 20 4-4:45
Dakota Prairie May 20 4:45-5:30
Medary May 20 4:45-5:30
Hillcrest May 20 4:45-5:30
Camelot May 21 5-5:30

04/20/2026

Every young person deserves high-quality afterschool and out-of-school time (OST) experiences that support their growth, spark curiosity, and help them thrive. And behind every great program is a dedicated afterschool professional — a mentor, educator, and champion for young people.

This Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week (April 20–24, 2026), we’re shining a light on the 850,000+ afterschool professionals nationwide who make a profound difference every day.

Why does it matter?
✅ Nearly 10 million children rely on afterschool programs for learning, exploration, and support
✅ Skilled professionals create safe, engaging environments where youth can grow
✅ Every young person deserves access to quality programs, and that starts with investing in the workforce that makes them possible

National efforts led by the National AfterSchool Association are also advancing workforce supports and new pathways, including a forthcoming Youth Development Foundational Practices Credential.

Join us in celebrating! How will you show appreciation this week? Drop a comment, share a story, or use to spread the love.

Learn more: https://naaweb.org/page/AfterschoolProfessionalsAppreciationWeek

04/20/2026

is all about the impressive young changemakers in our afterschool programs — and next week, we're celebrating the adults who inspire them! 🙌

From April 20-24, join us in celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week and recognize the people who make out-of-school time meaningful for millions of young people! https://naaweb.org/page/AfterschoolProfessionalsAppreciationWeek

04/13/2026

Summer G.A.P. Is GREAT FUN ! Join us 🌞🏊‍♀️🎶📚🍿🎥🎳⚾️

04/01/2026

G.A.P Safety Town
Session 1
June 1-12
10 am-12 pm