Afterschool Program FAQs
1. Does my child need to be a member to participate?
If your child is walking or riding their bike to the Clark Sports Center after school without a parent or guardian, they must have either:
- A Clark Sports Center membership, or
- A punch pass that can be used for their visit.
If a parent or guardian brings the child to the Sports Center, a non-member day pass may be purchased.
2. How do I register my child?
No registration is required. However, all required afterschool paperwork must be completed before your child participates in the program.
3. Where can I find the required paperwork?
Forms are available at the Front Desk or the Afterschool Program sign-in table. You may also complete the paperwork online by downloading our Student Information Form (PDF, 146KB). Completed forms may be returned to the Front Desk staff or emailed.
4. How do children get from school to the Sports Center?
Many children walk or ride their bikes from school to the Clark Sports Center each day. Parents and guardians know their children best and should determine whether their child can safely travel to the Sports Center independently or whether transportation arrangements should be made.
Please Note:
- Families are responsible for arranging transportation from school to the Clark Sports Center.
- We encourage parents and guardians to discuss safe travel expectations with their child before participating.
- As a courtesy, Clark Sports Center staff monitor the route between the school and the Sports Center to help maintain safe pedestrian traffic flow. However, staff are not responsible for transporting or supervising children on the walk.
- If we are made aware of concerns that arise regarding a child’s behavior while traveling to the Sports Center, staff will contact the parent or guardian to discuss the situation and determine appropriate next steps to support a safe experience for everyone.
5. How does the Sports Center know my child is coming after school?
The Sports Center does not receive attendance information directly from the school. Children are only accounted for once they arrive and are checked in at the Sports Center. Because we cannot verify whether a child has left school, arrived at the Sports Center, or gone elsewhere, we encourage families to establish a plan for communication and follow-up if their child is expected to attend the program on a particular day.
6. What are the check-in and check-out procedures?
Each child is assigned a sneaker-shaped scan tag, which most children clip to their backpack.
- A staff member scans each child’s tag as they enter the building.
- This creates a record of all children currently participating in the afterschool program.
- Parents or authorized guardians must sign their child out using the attendance list.
- For your child’s safety, you must first locate your child and have them with you before signing them out.
7. My child walks home, rides a bike, or is being picked up by another adult. What should I do?
All children must be signed out by a parent or authorized guardian unless alternate pick-up arrangements have been indicated on the child’s pick-up authorization form. Keeping pick-up information current helps us ensure every child leaves safely according to family preferences.
8. My child has soccer, cheerleading, football, or another sports practice.
Children attending practice will be signed out before leaving the afterschool program.
A child may be signed out by:
- A parent or guardian, or
- An approved coach.
If a coach will be signing your child out, they must be listed as an authorized pick-up person on your child’s pick-up authorization form. Children will not be able to walk to the fields alone and must remain under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or coach until practice begins.
9. My child’s practice starts at 4:00 p.m. Do they need to check into the afterschool program if they arrive before practice?
Yes. All participants in grades K-6 who arrive before their scheduled practice must check into the afterschool program in the gym.
If a child is dropped off immediately before practice and is picked up directly afterward, they should check in at the Front Desk instead.
10. Why is my child wearing a wristband?
Wristbands help staff quickly identify and account for children by grade level throughout the building. Please encourage your child to keep their wristband on for the duration of their visit so staff can easily identify them and ensure their safety throughout the program.
11. What will my child do after school?
Our afterschool program follows a rotating activity schedule based on grade level. The schedule is posted online and is also available at each program area, the check-out table, and the Front Desk.
Our goal is to provide children with opportunities for:
- Physical activity
- Skill development
- Social interaction
- Creativity and exploration
- Fun and positive recreation experiences
Activities are age-appropriate and encourage children to try new experiences throughout the week.
If you are picking up your child and are unsure of their location, staff members carry radios and can quickly help you locate them.
12. What should my child bring?
Please make sure your child has:
Required
- Closed-toe, non-marking athletic shoes (required for all Sports Center activities)
Not Permitted During Clark Sports Center Activities
- Boots
- Sandals
- Crocs
- Any footwear that does not meet the closed-toe, non-marking requirement
Footwear for Arrival/Departure
- Participants may wear boots, sandals, Crocs, or other footwear while traveling to and from the Sports Center. However, they must change into closed-toe, non-marking athletic shoes before participating in any activity. This requirement helps reduce the risk of slips, trips, falls, and other injuries.
Recommended
- A snack
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Change of clothes
Please Note: Vending machines are available for snack purchases. These machines are owned and maintained by a third-party vendor, so the Clark Sports Center is unable to provide refunds for money lost due to machine malfunctions. Additionally, the Clark Sports Center is not responsible for money or personal belongings that are lost, misplaced, or stolen. We encourage children to bring only what they need for the afternoon.
13. How can families help make the after-school program successful?
Families play an important role in helping us create a positive experience for all participants. We ask parents and guardians to:
- Review program expectations with their child.
- Keep emergency contact and pick up information current.
- Communicate changes to transportation or pick-up plans as soon as possible.
- Encourage respectful behavior toward staff, peers, and facilities.
- Reach out with questions or concerns so we can work together to support your child.
Together, we can create a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable afterschool experience for every child.
Questions?
We appreciate the opportunity to be part of your child’s afterschool experience.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact:
Heather Henderson
Phone: (607) 547-2800 ext. 108
We look forward to partnering with your family throughout the school year and helping your child have a fun, safe experience at the Clark Sports Center.