2021 Lights On Afterschool Recap

2021 Celebrations 🎉🎉🎉

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, led by the Afterschool Alliance, has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.

Check out the toolkit!

Celebrating Lights On Afterschool is more important now than ever to showcase the importance of afterschool programs and the hard work the out-of-school time community invests in providing for our keiki and ‘ōpio! This toolkit has some ideas and options to celebrate with us whether you’re virtual or in-person!

The State of Hawai‘i, City and County of Honolulu, Hawai‘i County, and Kauai County have proclaimed October 28th, Lights On Afterschool Day!

Ways to Celebrate

💡 Register Your Lights on Afterschool Celebrations 💡
When you register your event as an official Lights On Afterschool celebration, you’ll receive an event starter kit, which includes 10 free posters to help you promote your event, and make you eligible for cool prizes each week.

💡Create Lightbulb Artwork💡
Have kids create their own lightbulb artwork, or make it a program challenge. Don’t forget to share their lightbulb creations on social media on October 28th using #LightsOnAfterschool and #LightsOnHI
Coloring pages can be found here and here.

💡 Take the #LightbulbChallenge 💡
Take a photo with your youth (in-person or on zoom) or have them take their own photos posing like a lightbulb. You can download our Lights On Zoom backgrounds if you’re meeting virtually. Post the photo(s) to social media with the hashtags #LightsOnAfterschool #LightsOnHI #LightbulbChallenge

💡Hold a Letter Writing Campaign💡
Youth and family members can use their voice to make a difference and educate key leaders on the importance of afterschool programs. Create a letter writing campaign to policymakers in their community to encourage them to support afterschool programs.

Letter Templates and Tools

💡Challenge Your Students to a Dance Challenge💡

Have your youth create their own dance to "Light It Up - Remix" by Major Lazer (start at 0:43 seconds). Their dance can be freestyle, or choreographed, just don't forget to add a light bulb move!
Record and share their dance on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok. Tag us and use the hashtags #LightsOnAfterschool and #LightsOnHI by October 28th.