Lights On Events: October 23, 2025

Maryland Lights Up for Afterschool: MOST Staff Celebrate Lights On Across the State
On October 23, 2025, Maryland joined thousands of communities across the country to celebrate Lights On Afterschool, the nationwide event coordinated by the Afterschool Alliance that shines a spotlight on the importance of afterschool programs for young people and families.
Staff and VISTA members of the Maryland Out of School Time (MOST) Network fanned out across the state to visit four unique celebrations—each one showing how afterschool programs create spaces where youth feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn and grow. From art projects and comic collages to trunk-or-treat fun, Maryland’s Lights On events were a vibrant reminder that afterschool works.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County – Frederick Manor Unit
MOST team member Crystal Snyder joined families at the Frederick Manor Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County to celebrate Lights On Afterschool. The event shone a spotlight on the power of afterschool programs to support learning, creativity, and connection for children and families.
Throughout the celebration, young people shared what they love most about their afterschool experience — especially arts and crafts, which many said are their favorite part of the day. Parents expressed deep appreciation for having a safe, welcoming space where their children can spend time after school doing activities they enjoy.
One parent reflected on the broader impact the Club has had on her family, noting that it has made a positive difference for her older teens both in school and at home. Events like Lights On Afterschool underscore the vital role that programs like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County play in helping youth learn, grow, and thrive — long after the school day ends.   Learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County here:
 
Village Learning Place – Lights On Celebration
MOST team member Myranda Griffin joined the celebration at the Village Learning Place, where families and students came together for a festive Lights On Afterschool event. The afternoon featured trick-or-treating, Halloween music, and plenty of laughter as children showed off their creative costumes.
“A highlight was seeing a kid dressed like a dragon — and someone dressed like a panda grilling hot dogs!” Myranda shared.
The joyful energy of the event captured the spirit of Lights On Afterschool: creating spaces where children can play, connect, and express themselves in fun and imaginative ways. Learn more about the Village Learning Place here: https://www.villagelearningplace.org/ 
Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Afterschool Program – Annapolis
MOST team member Andrew Neuman visited the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Afterschool Program in Annapolis, where students celebrated Lights On Afterschool with pizza and a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library.
As part of the day’s activities, students participated in a comic book–themed art project called “Heroes and Villains,” creating their own collages that explored themes of creativity and identity.
The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum’s afterschool program is free for middle school students and focuses on African American art, history, and culture through engaging workshops and field trips. The museum also partners with the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA) to offer programming for teens. Learn more about the program and registration opportunities at bdmuseum.maryland.gov/education.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford and Cecil Counties – Havre de Grace
MOST’s Director, Ellie Mitchell, joined the celebration at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford and Cecil Counties, where the team hosted a festive Trunk or Treat open to both club members and the wider community.
When Ellie spoke with students about what they loved most about their program, they shared that it gives them a true sense of belonging — a place where they can make friends and “be nice to each other.” Favorite activities included the arts room, gym time, and Teen Nights.
“What I loved was seeing young people have fun and be kids — playing games, dancing, tug-of-war, and getting off those phones!” Ellie shared. “I even jumped in on the Cha Cha Slide — probably a bad idea for my knees!”
The evening ended with laughter and community spirit, as students proudly completed the Light Bulb Challenge in honor of Lights On Afterschool. Learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford & Cecil Counties here: https://bgcharfordcecil.org/
 
Keeping Maryland’s Lights On
Across the state, these celebrations demonstrated the incredible impact that afterschool programs have on Maryland’s young people — providing safe spaces, supportive mentors, and opportunities to explore their interests and talents. MOST is proud to stand with the Afterschool Alliance and our local partners in keeping the lights on for youth and families every day of the year.
🔗 Learn more about MOST’s work and how you can support afterschool in Maryland at https://linktr.ee/MOSTNetwork
#LightsOnAfterschool #AfterschoolWorks