PROGRAM
SHINE was founded in 1997 as an extension of Camp Sonshine to fill the need for a structured, caring environment for school aged children in the community surrounding Immanuel’s Church. Each afternoon, children are able to work on school work with qualified group leaders, play exciting activities, and release their stored up energy from the day.
daily schedule
Monday-Thursday
2:45-4:30 Arrival/Snack Time : Students have the opportunity to play outside, indoor games, crafts, and computer games. Snack is also served each day as soon as students arrive.
*4:30-5:15 Homework Time : Students are divided into groups by grade with a leader to help maintain a quiet working environment and be available to assist with their assignments. If students do not have homework, they are asked to work quietly on something such as reading or drawing until their activity begins.
*5:15-6:00 Activity Time : Leaders plan fun and interactive activities for all the students in the group. Activities range from big room games to arts and crafts, team building, cooking, sports, playground time, and much more!
6:00-6:30 Departure : Students are given a chance to burn off any more energy they have playing group games or just relaxing in our hang out room until their parents arrive.
*The Kindergarten-2nd graders will have activity time from 4:30-5:15 followed by homework time from 5:15-6:00 P.M. three days a week; third grade and up will only switch homework and activity time once a week.
Friday
Each month SHINE finishes the week with different clubs for students to participate in such as football, science and campfire. We also have theme days where students have the opportunity to learn something new and participate in fun, unique, and exciting events all day. Some theme days we have had are Olympics, Birthday Party and Mad Science!
MCPS Early Release days & SHINE Full Days
Early release days are similar to Friday's theme days that feature large group games for everyone at SHINE. On full days, the entire group goes off-grounds to places such as bowling, roller skating and the pumpkin patch. We are typically off-grounds from 9AM to 3PM on field trip days.
Snow Days
Students are encouraged to bring snow clothes and sleds to go outside and play. These days are more relaxed than our typical full days, and still full of fun and exciting activities! Please call prior to dropping off your children to confirm our hours of operation for the day.
Middle School
The middle school program is almost entirely separate from the rest of SHINE and the students are given more privileges than the other students that attend. Middle school students are with the large group for part of arrival time, some full-day trips, special events and daily departure.
The activities vary from day to day and are always fun and appeal specifically to middle school students. Some days we have crazy, messy, and wild big group games, while other days offer more intentional time where the groups will discuss life issues of middle school students.
We have a boy and girls group at SHINE allowing students a chance to do activities they like and to stay focused during their homework time. They still get the chance to be with all the middle school students at the beginning and end of the day and some Friday field trips.
Another perk to our middle school program is that every Friday there is a field trip during activity time from about 4-6PM. Some places we typically go are: Coldstone, McDonald's, Laser Tag and Bowling.
