NC Center for Afterschool Programs

10/22/2026

TODAY is Lights On Afterschool Day in NC! 💡 Governor Stein has officially recognized the day with a statewide proclamation, celebrating how quality afterschool programs prepare children to become successful adults and help our North Carolina communities thrive.

How is your program celebrating this week? Share your photos with us and use the hashtag !

Check out the Governor’s proclamation: https://governor.nc.gov/governor-stein-proclaims-lights-afterschool-day-0

10/21/2026

TOMORROW!!! Oct. 22 we're turning the Lights On Afterschool!

This annual Afterschool Alliance event is bringing together more than a million people to celebrate afterschool programs at more than 8,000 events across North Carolina.

There's still time for you to join an show your support of North Carolina's afterschool and out-of-school time programs.

You can make afterschool shine in your community! Light up a landmark, memorial, or building in honor of Lights On. Organize a walking art show or a car or bike parade. Spread the message of Lights On by displaying yard signs throughout the community. Encourage programs, families, and businesses to....

10/19/2026

Do you have youth in your program who are interested in developing public speaking and leadership skills? Good news: the application for the 2027 STEM Next Flight Crew is now OPEN!

STEM Next Opportunity Fund has launched the national search for the next Flight Crew -- youth ambassadors who represent their states as they develop leadership and communication skills, share their stories on regional, state, and national stages, and lend their voices to push for more afterschool and summer STEM opportunities.

Please encourage youth in your programs ages 13-18 with experience in afterschool and summer STEM learning to apply today.

Learn more and apply:

The STEM Next Flight Crew is a national youth ambassador program elevating young voices in STEM to inspire their peers and demonstrate that STEM is for everyone and happens everywhere. Selected teens represent their states as they develop leadership and communication skills, share their STEM stories...

10/16/2026

Lights On Afterschool is coming October 22!

Want to participate without hosting an event? We've got ideas! You can:

Showcase your program on social media, whether it's posting a collage or video from past work, sharing the special Lights On activity you do with students, or posting photos from your activities with the tag .

Join the Lightbulb Challenge. Every year, the Afterschool Alliance challenges friends of afterschool across the country to take a photo of themselves posing in the shape of our Lights On Afterschool logo and posting it on social media with the hashtags and .

Click here for sample social media ready for you to plug and play:

Lights On Afterschool is the biggest day of the year for afterschool to make a splash online, get trending, and reach new audiences about the impact of afterschool programs.

10/13/2026

Get ready for Lights On Afterschool!

Join NC CAP, Afterschool Alliance and communities across the country in celebrating the 27th . This year's event will take place Thursday, October 22.

Want to participate? You can:

🥳Hold an event and celebrate with students. Afterschool programs shine bright by hosting open houses, rallies, carnivals, student showcases, and more. Register your event by 10/8 to get your 10 free posters before October 22.

💡Light up your community. Light up a landmark, memorial, or building in honor of Lights On. Organize a walking art show or a car or bike parade. Spread the message of Lights On by displaying yard signs throughout the community. Encourage programs, families, and businesses to showcase lightbulb art in their windows.

Tell us how you plan to celebrate by registering your event: https://loa.afterschoolalliance.org/accounts/signup/

10/09/2026

⏰ TODAY!!!

Reminder that today, Oct. 9 NCDPI will host the second Technical Assistance Webinar series for the newly launched Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Cohort 19 Competition for the 2027–2028 school year!

Public School Units (PSUs) and Non-PSU organizations—including Non-Profits (NPOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), For-Profit entities, Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), and City/Local Governments are strongly encouraged to attend:
https://ncgov.webex.com/wbxmjs/joinservice/sites/ncgov/meeting/download/320869f9c098456c96fa0ddc3b4f30cf?MTID=mef0576a9e68972ba38457acd098cc291

Learn more about the chance to earn between $50,000 to $500,000 per year, depending on community need, scope, target student population, and program design.

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10/08/2026

Have you been waiting to see who our Synergy speakers are before you sign up for this year's conference? The wait is over!

Speakers for Synergy have now been confirmed and include exciting presentations like:

🤔 “Igniting Curiosity: Hands-On STEM & Facilitation Strategies for Afterschool Programs”, Popi Makris, Coach and Founder, STEM Kids NC
🔨 “15 TOOLS in 75 MINUTES: Free Resource To Raise Your Youth Engagement Game!”, Eric Rowles, CEO, Leading To Change
🔎 “Scientist Maker: Creating the Next Generation of Critical Thinkers”, Rachael Polmanteer, Associate Director, The Center for Inquiry-Based Learning
👏 “ : Advocacy Strategies for Afterschool Providers”, Chris Neitzey, Senior Director of State Policy, Afterschool Alliance

Learn more about the speakers and sessions that will be at this exciting event, then sign up today!

Registration is Open for Synergy 2026! Registration is officially open for Synergy 2026! Join North Carolina’s most forward-thinking afterschool leaders for two days of collaborative learning. Whether you are an afterschool provider, a business leader, an educator, or a policymaker, your voice is ...

09/30/2026

🚨 LAST CHANCE! 🚨

Want to get your organization or business in front of hundreds of North Carolina’s top afterschool and community leaders? 🤝

We are currently accepting vendor applications for the Synergy 2026 Conference! By exhibiting with us in Raleigh this November, you’ll get a dedicated booth, conference registration, and direct access to decision-makers in the expanded learning space.

⏳ Vendor Application Deadline: TODAY! September 30
🔗 Learn more and apply to exhibit: https://ncafterschool.org/synergy-conference-2026/

09/29/2026

Lights on Afterschool is coming up and we're getting ready to celebrate you and all of the amazing work you do for North Carolina's youth and communities! This hallmark event is a pillar of the afterschool movement and your involvement is critical as we work together to shine a light on the critical role of afterschool and OST programs.

Curious how to get involved? The Afterschool Alliance has put together a checklist of opportunities for you: https://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loaChecklist.cfm

Check it out to see how you can get involved today!

09/25/2026

TODAY'S YOUR LAST DAY!

Don't miss the chance to celebrate North Carolina's afterschool providers. The deadline for our annual afterschool champions is TODAY, SEPT 25.
https://forms.gle/BaP5jAHeEFQUDduE8

Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge and honor the outstanding professionals who are making a substantial difference in the lives of children and families through their work in afterschool and OST programs. Your nominations play a crucial role in highlighting their contributions and inspiring others to recognize the importance of afterschool and OST opportunities in our communities.