Local Park and Recreation Agencies’ Out-of-School Time Programs are Leading Providers of Child Care Nationwide

(October 25, 2018)

Findings published in NRPA’s 2018 Out-of-School Time Report

Ashburn, Va. (Oct. 25, 2018) — According to a recent report published by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the majority (84 percent) of local park and recreation agencies offer summer camps, more than half (55 percent) offer afterschool programming and over a fifth (21 percent) offer before-school care. Currently, 9 in 10 park and recreation agencies offer out-of-school time (OST) programs that serve millions of children nationwide.

To better understand the scopes and missions of OST programs, NRPA surveyed park and recreation agency directors throughout the United States. The 25-question survey generated 334 responses. Park and recreation agencies deliver OST programs to children of all ages:

  • Fifty-nine percent of agencies serve children ages infant through 5
  • Ninety-nine percent of agencies serve children ages 6–14
  • Fifty percent of agencies serve children ages 15–19
  • Sixteen percent of agencies offer intergeneration programming

“The hours before and after school can be challenging and potentially dangerous times for youth who are not under the watchful eyes of parents or teachers,” said Barbara Tulipane, CAE, NRPA president and CEO. “These programs provide safe environments with physical activities, nutrition education, social interaction with peers and mentoring opportunities. However, more can be done with additional resources and funding.”

According to those surveyed, the top five benefits OST programs provide to their communities include:

  • Offering a safe space to play
  • Providing a free or affordable space that encourages healthy, physically active lifestyles
  • Connecting youth to peers/social opportunities
  • Connecting youth to nature/outdoor experiences
  • Providing educational support and supplementing learning opportunities

OST programs are also a valuable respite to the most vulnerable children. Fifty-seven percent of park and recreation professionals report they have children participating in their OST programs that live in households facing significant financial challenges, such as unemployment (of a parent or caregiver), low household income and food insecurity. In the case of the latter, 1 in 6 survey respondents reported that there are youth participants who come to their programs hungry. In some cases, a meal provided at an OST program is the last meal a child will eat that day.

The 2018 Out-of-School Time Report is a follow-up to a 2016 NRPA study that first explored how OST programs provide education, tutoring, mentoring and enrichment opportunities that improve the mental, physical and emotional health of our nation’s youth.

To read NRPA’s 2018 Out-of-School Time Report, click here.

To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.  

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About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.