When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Sherman County School’s popular three-day-a-week after-school program in March 2020, families — especially working parents — lost a valuable source of enrichment for their children. The school, which serves about 250 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, did not offer the program during the 2020–2021 school year and only relaunched it in a limited format in early 2022.
To help meet this gap, Cindy Brown, 4-H Youth Development educator with Oregon State University Extension Service in Sherman County, created Extension Afterschool in September 2020. The free program offered engaging, hands-on activities for local youths ages 8 and older. Sessions were held at the county-owned Extension building in Moro on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, with five to eight youths from grades 3 through 7 attending each day.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, sessions were held off campus. Parents transported their children from school to the Extension building. The same activity was offered on both days to allow families flexibility while keeping group sizes small.
Brown promoted the program through social media, flyers posted at local post offices and stores, a county newsletter, the local newspaper and direct outreach to families.
Activities drew from a range of OSU Extension and 4-H resources, including:
- National 4-H STEM and art curriculum
- Growing Healthy Kids nutrition lessons from Oregon SNAP-Ed
- Food Hero recipes in English and Spanish
- OSU Extension publications on leathercraft and outdoor cooking
Sessions encouraged creativity, life skills and supportive social interaction. Youths were introduced to new hobbies and projects in a welcoming environment.
From September 2020 through February 2022, 315 youth visits were recorded, representing 30 individual students in grades 2 through 6 — about 30% of Sherman County’s enrollment in those grades.
In a 2022 survey, 100% of youth respondents said they enjoyed the wide range of activities, and 93% said they felt welcome and safe. Eighty-three percent said they learned something new or tried a new activity. All seven parents who responded said the program met their needs, provided peace of mind and helped supplement school or community activities.
