What is the purpose of after-school programs?
After-school activities are offered in abundance these days, and while some parents may wonder if the programs are worthwhile, they can have a long-lasting effect on children.SafetyStudies by Safe Youth have shown that teens who participate in after-school activities are less than half as likely to use drugs. Teen girls who are not involved in after-school programs are also 37 percent more likely to become pregnant.Child CareMany parents see after-school programs as a way to extend school for children who get out of classes before the workday is over. After-school programs that take place on campus offer safety until mom and dad can get out of work.ExerciseSchool sports, local gyms and city sports leagues provide a way for children to get much-needed exercise after sitting at a desk all day in school. Many schools have been forced to cut gym classes due to budget constraints, and after-school programs can help alleviate that problem.Academic AchievementChildren who struggle in school c
