Students, teachers and families will celebrate Lincoln’s after-school programs Thursday with glow games at Calvert Recreation Center and a growing display of electronic candles at McPhee Elementary School. Both events are part of Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide initiative highlighting how after-school programs support children, families and communities.
Calvert’s celebration runs from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Oct. 22 at 4500 Stockwell St., featuring glow-themed games, glow sticks and a photo booth. McPhee’s annual Fall Festival runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 820 Goodhue Blvd., where families can decorate glass vases and add electronic candles to a display symbolizing the connection and support children experience after school.
Calvert Recreation Center Supervisor Nicole Weber said students are encouraged to wear neon and invite their teachers to participate in the afternoon activities. “A lot of those teachers help support our after-school club programs that we couldn’t do without them,” Weber told KLIN News.
The events offer a chance to highlight programming that continues throughout the school year. Lincoln Parks and Recreation operates seven after-school program sites, five of which collaborate with Lincoln Public Schools and community partners through the Community Learning Center initiative. The department served more than 1,700 young people through before- and after-school programming during the 2025-26 school year.
At Calvert, the daily program includes snacks, outdoor recreation, group games, art and science activities. A partnership with America Reads through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln also provides tutoring and homework help.
Weber said those opportunities give children support while their parents finish work. “They can come here. They can hang out with their friends. They have positive adults that they can be with. They can get their homework done,” she said.
Calvert also offers seven to eight clubs each quarter, with activities ranging from soccer and science to cooking and designing board games. Students are currently preparing a production of “101 Dalmatians” for a March performance.
Weber said Calvert works with families who need financial assistance to participate. “For some families that maybe finances are hard and things like that, we work with them so we can provide some scholarships so we can make sure that every kid has the opportunity to participate,” she said.
Lights On Afterschool is organized by the Afterschool Alliance. More information about Lincoln Parks and Recreation programs is available at lincoln.ne.gov/parks.