Edgerton Afterschool Program saddles up for enjoyable, studying

When youngsters get dropped off on the Edgerton Explorit Center on Wednesdays, they’re excited to partake in a day of enjoyable and studying within the Edgerton Afterschool Program.
Now in its thirteenth 12 months, this system has made a major affect on taking part college students, mentioned Edgerton Executive Director Mary Molliconi. 
“Since the program’s launch in 2012, the Edgerton team has had the joy of watching many afterschool participants grow up within the program,” Molliconi mentioned. “Students often continue as middle school volunteers, then move into paid high school mentor positions — helping teach afterschool sessions and assisting with Edgerton’s summer camps. These students help create camp topics, develop curriculum and lead activities for younger learners.”
Afterschool Program coordinator Shawna Vinkenberg shared that the afterschool program gives a spot for college kids to interact with actions past the classroom. 
“On Wednesdays, the Aurora Public Schools dismiss early so the After School Program fills a need in our community, providing kids a safe and fun place to learn and grow alongside their peers,” Vinkenberg mentioned.
Vinkenberg mentioned college students take part in actions primarily based on Edgerton’s STEAM mannequin.
“Kids have ongoing opportunities to engage in science, technology, engineering, art (and mathematics) sessions,” Vinkenberg mentioned. “Weekly, the kids circulate through three or four different stations experiencing a wide variety of activities that engage their minds and bodies… Each week the kids are involved in activities that move their bodies and stimulate their minds through science, art, literature and interactive games… They also have a great opportunity to enjoy the ExploreIT and DiscoverIT Centers for free play time at the Edgerton.”
Along with offering wholesome snacks and bodily actions to maintain the youngsters wholesome and engaged, Molliconi mentioned the Edgerton gives subject journeys all through the neighborhood and past.
“Once a month, students enjoy an enrichment field trip, with destinations that have included the pumpkin patch, horseback riding, skating, the movie theater, bowling and even participating in the homecoming parade float,” Molliconi mentioned. “Each trip provides opportunities students might not otherwise experience and strengthens their connection to the community.”
Vinkenberg mentioned the actions encourage college students to step out of their consolation zones to attempt one thing new.
“Many of the activities are things that they’ve never experienced or encountered before,” Vinkenberg mentioned. “It’s rewarding for kids to grow in their confidence as they work alongside friends … and realize that with time and practice, they can do things they’ve never tried before.”
One of the current actions college students obtained to take part in was horseback driving at Molliconi’s dwelling on Wednesday, Oct. 1. While ready for his or her flip to trip, college students may work on coloring pages or check their abilities with a toy archery set.
One of the mentors aiding with the session was Arley McEndarfer, a homeschool freshman who guided college students on a horse inside Molliconi’s new indoor driving area.
During the summer season, Arley assisted in educating college students about horses and helped them discover ways to trip them independently.
“We go over anatomy at least one day of the week,” McEndarfer mentioned. “Then we teach kids how to saddle the horses, how to take care of them and brush them. For our advanced horse camps, by the end of the week, we want the kids to be able to ride by themselves.”
As a mentor, McEndarfer enjoys interacting with college students in the summertime camps and Afterschool Program.
“It’s a lot of fun,” McEndarfer mentioned. “I love working with them, so it’s been a great experience. They’re always ready to learn and have fun. It can get crazy sometimes, but it’s great.”
Also serving to out with the horseback driving was McEndarfer’s brother, Mike, a seventh grader who started working on the Edgerton as a center college volunteer.
“I’ve been in the horse camp, so that made me want to be around horses,” Mike mentioned.
In his first 12 months as a volunteer, he shared his sister’s pleasure in seeing college students develop a love for the horses, simply as he had, and attempting new issues together with them.
“It’s been fun,” he mentioned. “I’ve been able to do more things.”
Other enjoyable actions college students can stay up for this 12 months embody the Edgerton’s second Halloween Glow Party, a Hot Wheels March Madness Tournament, curler skating in York, sculpting Model Magic “create-ures” and a visit to Pete’s Safari in Grand Island later within the spring.
“It’s a joy giving kids opportunities to get outside and simply enjoy the world around them,” Vinkenberg mentioned. “Throughout the beautiful late summer or early fall days, the kids have enjoyed time at our local parks and we also took a field trip to Kids Kingdom Park in Grand Island where they played tug of war, flag tag, corn hole, limbo games, as well as play time on available equipment, which are all outdoor favorites.”
Molliconi expressed her personal pleasure in seeing the numerous affect on college students who return to develop of their love of science and studying.
“For me, this is the most rewarding part of the program — seeing students grow, learn and come full circle from participants to mentors to leaders,” Molliconi mentioned. “It’s a living example of how the Edgerton Afterschool Program continues to inspire curiosity and confidence year after year.”
“The program is full for this year, but interested parents can contact me to get on a waitlist for the 2026-27 year,” Vinkenberg mentioned.
Families can take a look at the Afterschool Program by visiting the Edgerton’s web site at edgerton.org.