School’s Out

Providing healthy, safe, educational out-of-school activities for kids in Grades 1-7.

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Across United Way BC Regions

Our School’s Out programs ensure vulnerable school-aged children in British Columbia have access to safe spaces where they can get the mental wellness and developmental support they need during the critical hours between 3 to 6 pm.

School’s Out programs provide educational support and homework assistance, physical activity and development, mentoring, social and emotional support, and help at-risk kids develop basic life skills. This helps increase children’s self-confidence and self-esteem, and helps them develop positive social behaviours and lifestyles.

Improved access to quality out-of-school programming

Ten years ago, less than half of Lower Mainland Grades 4 and 7 kids were enrolled in structured after-school activities. Now, according to the Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership, and thanks to the ongoing support of United Way and donors like you, this number has increased to 85%.

School’s Out runs programs in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, Central and Northern Vancouver Island, the Southern Interior and Thompson Nicola and Cariboo regions.

Breaking down barriers

We’ve made great strides in making these valuable out-of-school programs available, but it’s often the kids who would benefit most who can’t access them.

Don’t forget about summer

During the summer months, services for students are often reduced or unaffordable, leaving many families in under-served communities struggling to access programming.

United Way’s School’s Out Summer program provides free or low-cost access to full-day camps providing children access to all the benefits of School’s Out programming, including fresh, healthy food, throughout the year — not just during school time.