Rhema’s after school program meeting need
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 -- Michelle Strutzenberger
If numbers are any indication, Rhema’s after school program is meeting a need. Co-ordinator Crystal Voskamp says there are an average of 160 uses of the program per month.

Numbers are up from last year, when the program was started. Voskamp suggests this may be partly due to an hour-long option made available this year at a discounted rate.

“That benefit of the hour option has been a real seller this year,” she says. “A lot of families didn’t need their kids to stay till 5:30, but they did need them there till 4:30.”

Voskamp started co-ordinating the program in September, which runs from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. She says the time is somewhat structured, but allows for the students to choose their own activities as well.

The period begins with a “great snack, which is half the excitement,” she says.

Time is then designated for students to do homework. “That’s probably the least favourite for the kids, but probably the most favourite for the parents.” Most students get all their homework done during that time.

If the gym is available, the students may then do activities there. Or they may go outside, depending on the weather. The after school program room also has a number of games and activities that they can choose from.

“UNO is a huge game. Everybody loves to play that. Trivia is another one,” says Voskamp.

The activities vary widely, of course, because students from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 are enrolled in the program.

Voskamp is the sole caregiver unless the number of students exceeds 15, in which case she gets extra help.

This year the program is operating on an advanced payment, punch-card system. Parents can buy a card for so many visits. The card accompanies the child’s file. As the service is used, it is indicated on the card.

Voskamp says that the program is flexible and that parents can also just call on the day they need their child in the program.

She points out that this is different than other schools where parents are required to book a spot and pay in advance for their child to attend, whether or not they do.

Voskamp says that with more Rhema families now, both parents work, and an after school program helps manage schedules.