Lights on Afterschool
About Lights On Afterschool
Learn about the annual celebration.
Celebrate the 26th Annual Lights On Afterschool on October 23, 2025 to shine a light on the innovative ways afterschool programs support the well-being of young people. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool is the only national rally for afterschool programs, which keep kids safe and healthy, inspire them to learn, and give working parents peace of mind.
Are you looking for ideas and resources to celebrate Lights On Afterschool in your program or community? Check out the Planning Guide from the Afterschool Alliance.
“From building connections to peers and mentors, to serving healthy snacks and meals, to helping young people handle anxiety, to inspiring students to move and get fit, afterschool programs across the country are providing essential support for students’ physical and mental health,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant.
Governor’s Proclamation 2024
Governor Gordon proclaimed Lights On Afterschool Day in Wyoming.
Governor Mark Gordon has officially declared Thursday, October 24 as Lights On Afterschool Day in Wyoming, recognizing the vital role out-of-school time programs play for youth and families in the Equality State. Download a copy of the proclamation. Click here.
In his proclamation, Governor Gordon highlights the value of afterschool programs, stating, “Afterschool programs provide critical support for children and youth, offering them new experiences and opportunities, along with hands-on learning that helps them learn and grow. Youth who attend afterschool programs go to school more often, perform better academically, and gain essential life and work skills.” He further notes, “Wyoming is committed to providing expanded learning opportunities that help our children learn, grow, and develop the skills essential for success in life and work.”
Michelle Sullivan, Director of the Wyoming Afterschool Alliance, underscores the impact of these programs: “Afterschool and summer learning programs connect schools, families, and communities to expand learning opportunities for all young people.”
Afterschool and summer programs in Wyoming engage students in activities that spark their interest in learning, from coding and circuitry to putting on plays and growing gardens. Teachers notice the difference, saying students in afterschool programs are more engaged, behave better, and are more likely to complete homework. Research over the years shows that regular participation in quality afterschool programs helps students:
- Develop strong work habits, make better decisions, and build social skills
- Attend school more often and improve behavior
- Make progress in reading and math, earn higher grades, and increase their chances of graduating
Michelle stated, “At the Alliance, we celebrate programs that offer high-quality resources that support working families, help kids thrive in school, build workforce skills, and steer clear of risky behaviors.”
Join the fun! If you’re not already part of a Lights On Afterschool event, consider participating in the Light Bulb Challenge! And be sure to share on social media using #LightsOnAfterschool.
Mission: We bridge the gap between Wyoming’s out-of-school programs and the communities they uplift, fueling them with resources, support and opportunities that inspire lifelong learning, growth and connection.
Family of Funds
Cultivating Community and Growing Leaders
Today we join the National Summer Learning Association to celebrate the power of Community & Leadership. Learning happens everywhere and young people thrive when they feel a sense of belonging and purpose. That’s why the Wyoming Enrichment Network supports programs and partnerships that build strong relationships and create meaningful leadership opportunities across the state. When we invest in the people and places that help youth grow, we help build a brighter future for all of Wyoming.
Why is Community & Leadership Important?
Research from the Afterschool Alliance shows that when youth are given authentic opportunities to lead, they gain confidence, build communication skills, and deepen their sense of purpose. Near-peer mentorship is especially powerful. As STEM Next says, “STEM confidence is contagious." When youth see someone just a step ahead, they’re more likely to take that step themselves.
Leadership in Action Across Wyoming
Wyoming 4-H helps youth explore leadership and civic engagement in fun, hands-on ways. At this year’s Showcase Showdown in Laramie, young people from across the state took part in contests, workshops, and tours—including a stick horse engineering challenge that brought together creativity, teamwork, and lots of laughs. Explore Wyoming 4-H Leadership & Civic Engagement>>
COWGIRLS in STEM inspires youth to engage with STEM across Wyoming. At their Cheyenne camp this summer, young people worked in teams to imagine AI-powered robots that could help them in their daily lives—an activity that sparked both innovation and connection. Learn more about COWGIRLS in STEM>>
Learning Through Mentorship
At WYEN, we’re proud to support programs like the Summer STEM Fellowship and our High School Fellowship pilot with the Big Horn Basin Boost Program. These efforts empower students—from high schoolers to college undergrads—to design and lead hands-on learning experiences for younger youth in their communities.
Nicole Porter, a graduate student in counseling at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, continues to apply what she learned as a Summer STEM Fellow and mentor. One key takeaway? The value of “volleyball conversations” that keep ideas moving and invite many voices. “It’s something I still use today,” she says.
Spotlight: Download the ACRES STEM Facilitation and Learning Models. This simple three-page guide offers excellent ways to think about leading discussions in STEM. But it’s great for any subject! Click here.
When Nicole asked current Fellows what they love most about working with kids, the answers were heartfelt: Ashley and Jada spoke about relationship-building. Aidyn shared the joy of being outdoors and helping kids be themselves. Mia enjoys teaching STEM. Allison loves gardening with young people. Lauren appreciates seeing kids from the YES House unwind and connect. And Maisie? “They think out loud. No filter. It’s real.”
Nicole Porter, a 2023 Summer STEM Fellow Alum: “I get as much out of this work as the kids do. I learn so much about myself through working with young people—and that’s a beautiful thing.”
The Big Horn Basin Boost Program is helping high school students become role models. Through a WYEN pilot project, high schoolers designed and led weeklong mini-camps for middle schoolers. They choose topics based on their own interests and career goals. One of the participants was John, a sophomore with interests in theater, the military, and video games. He wanted to focus his mini-camp on ways that gaming can foster friendship and teamwork. WYEN connected him with a professional game designer and together they discussed career pathways and strategies to engage middle schoolers through gaming.
Try This! Activities for Programs and Families
Learn more about Youth Voice! The Afterschool Alliance Youth Voice Toolkit can help you explore the spectrum of youth voice work and tools and examples from partners at each level of youth involvement and best practices. Mizzen’s Ten Tips for Amplifying Youth Voice can help lead to more engaging and effective programs.
SPOTLIGHT: Get To Know You and Establish Group Norms is a 30-minute downloadable activity from the Search Institute designed to build trust between group members by exploring what members have in common and what makes them unique. This activity was popular with the Summer STEM Fellows! Click here.
Dig into the Leadership and Civic Engagement modules from Wyoming 4-H. The invite young people to "get started with a foundation in leadership that you can build upon over a lifetime!"
Learning to Give’s series “Open Doors to Your Community,” helps young people learn about the purpose of public safety while meeting people involved in their community. They have tips for visiting a fire station, a police station, and more! Each guide is a virtual door that leads young people to an actual door with ideas for engagement.
Build a fort with WY Quality Counts and help young people learn practice collaboration. The instructions note that reflection can help develop those skills: “Talk to them about how they feel working with another person. Did it make them happy? Did they have fun?" The instructions are for younger kids, but the lesson could easily be adapted.
Keep Learning!
Want to see more? Visit wyoenrichmentnetwork.org/summer-sparks to explore other stories. Share your own summer learning experiences using #SummerLearningWeek and #ThriveBeyondTheBell.
Igniting Curiosity, Connection, and Growth All Summer Long
The Wyoming Enrichment Network is celebrating National Summer Learning Week (July 14–18, 2025) by spotlighting the amazing ways communities across the state are helping young people stay curious, connected, and growing all summer long.
