Celebrate Lights On Afterschool

Page updated on October 23, 2025 at 8:01 AM
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Image of OSTP kids with the City seal and Lights on Afterschool logo and the RPCA name and the words Lights on Afterschool overlaid on top

 

The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities invites you to join the 26th annual Lights On Afterschool event on Thursday, October 23! This national event, launching in October 2000, highlights the essential role afterschool programs play in the lives of children, families, and communities. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool shows how these programs help students discover new interests—whether it’s science, robotics, poetry, or community service—and supports the message that millions more children need access to high-quality afterschool care.

By joining this celebration, Alexandria joins communities across the country to send a powerful message: more kids need access to quality afterschool programs.

Here in Alexandria, our Recreation Services Division’s Power-On Out-of-School Time Programs (OSTP) align perfectly with the Lights On Afterschool mission by offering afterschool enrichment opportunities for youth ages 5–12 years old. 

For more information, please visit alexandriava.gov/rpca/ostp.

  • Power-On (Grades K-6): For youth ages 5-12 (entering kindergarten through 6th grade), the program provides recreation-based leisure and enrichment activities such as creative and performing arts, music and movement, sports and fitness, health and wellness, STEM, special events, and more. 

Some of the Lights on Afterschool activities that the 11 OSTP locations will offer on October 23 include: Glo dance parties, guest speakers, STEAM activities, crafts, performing arts, face painting, creative writing, cooperative games, and enrichment clubs and activities.

To Learn more about the national movement and how to support afterschool programming, please visit afterschoolalliance.org.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jackie.person@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5423, Virginia Relay 711.

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.