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
Typically offer an extended arrival and departure time with a special Club or Theme Day in place of homework and activity time.
Clubs : allow kindergarten through 5 th grade students to choose the activity they want to participate in, instead of doing only what their group planned. Monthly clubs in the past have been soccer, cooking, movie making, and art lessons; the possibilities are truly endless.
Theme Days : give students the opportunity to spend the day doing special activities around a central game, event, etc. Some theme days we have had are Game Show Day, Musical SHINE, Thanksgiving Dinner, American Gladiators, and much more!
Middle School
Students are fairly separate from the rest of the group, giving them their own version of SHINE. We wanted to create an atmosphere that would be nurturing and fun to this group specifically. On Friday’s the middle school group typically goes off grounds from 3:45-5:45PM on field trips to places such as Coldstone, McDonalds, Lazer Tag, and Mini Golf.
Special Days
MCPS Early Release days : SHINE will open 2.5 hours early and are similar to Friday’s Theme Days that feature large group games everyone at SHINE participates in.
SHINE Full Days : are when MCPS have a scheduled closing (specific dates are in the SHINE Calendar). SHINE takes the entire group off-grounds to places such as local parks, bowling, roller skating, and the pumpkin patch. Students are typically off-grounds from 9AM to 3PM on full days.
