Registration for the OK After Opps Summer Semester, Sessions 1 & 2 is now open! See descriptions of activities being offered below. Please use the form on this page to register for either or both of these After Opps program sessions. Any questions or concerns may be directed to Dan Scherer-Emunds by email at dan@opportunityknocksnow.org.
After Opps is an after school/after work program offering a wide variety of activities that are developed in collaboration with the Warrior participants. Program activities are embedded with a focus on peer leadership, health and wellness, social interaction and community connections.
For eligibility, registration requirements, session fees, daily structure, safety requirements or other information, see the After Opps homepage.
Click HERE to view some highlights from 2018 After Opps Spring Session 1.
MAKING IT THEME:
The theme for the 2019 Summer Semester, spanning two 7-wk After Opps sessions, is “MAKING IT”: Creating new things and navigating through life with your hands and your head and your heart. Programs can be wide-ranging but tie into “making it” in some way.
SPECIAL DATES
- Walk to Run Club – Thursdays at 6pm at RFCC, starting 5/16/19
- River Forest Memorial Day Parade – 5/27/19
- OK BBQ Block Party – 6/8/19
- Oak Park 4th of July Parade – 7/4/19
- After Opps Summer Family Day – 8/30/19
MONDAYS
PEER-LED
Peer-led programming is an organization-wide philosophy that places our Warriors at the core of planning and development. With limited staff support, Warriors plan engaging programs and activities for their peers that relate to the leader’s personal interests and strengths. Warriors will plan programs of their choice for the first three weeks of the session and then lead for the following three weeks.
COMMUNITY OPPS
In this program, Warriors will serve various local non-profit organizations and establish their presence in our community through various community service projects.
DIY WARRIORS
Do it yourself this session in the DIY group! Warriors will get in touch with their artistic sides while learning how to make different crafts out of common materials! Warriors will leave the session with artwork and crafts they are proud to call their own!
BACKYARD GAMES
Bags, croquet, bocce ball, and more! Warriors will be learning and playing a different backyard game out in the community each week. We will go head-to-head to see who is the ultimate backyard gladiator! *Warrior Wellness
WEDNESDAYS
UP N’ ATOM
Get your lab coats on! In this program, Warriors will channel their inner Bill Nye and learn more about the way our world works while getting into some fun experiments!
WHAT’S FOR DINNER?
“I don’t know yet” won’t be the answer in this program! Come help plan, budget and shop for Friday’s Cooking From Scratch program. We will be planning a different recipe each week and taking trips to the local stores to gather everything we need. *Warrior Wellness
BIKES & TRIKES
Warriors on wheels! At last, it is time to tune up our outfit of adult bikes, trikes, and tandems. Whether you’re a novice cyclist or a veteran road rider, all interested Warriors will get the opportunity to ride in a safe and scenic setting at Concordia Cemetery. *Warrior Wellness
WARRIORS IN FOCUS
In this program, we will focus on having fun with the camera! Warriors will learn how to take portrait photos, nature photos, and showcase their unique viewpoints and stories through this visual art medium. Favorite snapshots from the session will also be used in Scrapbooking during Summer 2.
FRIDAYS
COOKING FROM SCRATCH
This session we will be doing all our cooking from scratch. We will explore recipes that feature items that we would normally buy prepared, such as pasta, pizza crust, bread, and cheese, and make our own.*Warrior Wellness
WELLNESS WARRIORS
Venturing into the theme of “Making It,” Warriors will learn how to make things slow down in their lives as they explore the wonderful world of mindfulness. Warriors will learn skills to help connect and unify their heads and their hearts. Activities will include mindful walks, yoga, meditation, understanding and working with emotions, breathing techniques and much more.*Warrior Wellness
LIVE LIKE A WARRIOR
Let’s learn how to “make it” through this little thing called life! As we prepare for the residential phase of the OK Mission, we aim to get the Warriors’ input on what they want their living situations to look like as they age. We will talk about what housing options and arrangements are available in our community and what it will take to achieve our residential goals.
FARMING
It’s time to get our hands dirty at the Knockout Farm! We will be growing some delicious vegetables for our cooking programs and lots of cucumbers for our Knockout Pickles. Spend some time outside and get to know where your food comes from! *Warrior Wellness
MONDAYS
COMMUNITY OPPS
In this program, Warriors will serve various local non-profit organizations and establish their presence in our community through various community service projects.
PEER-LED
Peer-led programming is an organization-wide philosophy that places our Warriors at the core of planning and development. With limited staff support, Warriors plan engaging programs and activities for their peers that relate to the leader’s personal interests and strengths. Warriors will plan programs of their choice for the first three weeks of the session and then lead for the following three weeks.
ZEN IN THE PARK
In this group, Warriors will learn and understand the art of Zen and gain tools to calm worries in their everyday lives. We will practice mindful meditations, compassionate communication, do some yoga, and create zen art! *Warrior Wellness
CURTAIN CALL
Lights! Camera! Action! Come one, come all to theater in the park! In this program, we will explore plays from around the world, different time periods and different genres.
WEDNESDAYS
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Warriors will get in tune with nature as they adventure to the Great Outdoors! In this program, we will collaborate with the Forest Preserves of Cook County to experience archery, nature education activities, kayaking, hiking, camping, and more. *Warrior Wellness
SWIMMING
Splish splash, we’ll be heading to the Forest Park Pool to have a blast! Jumping off the diving boards or taking a ride down the water slides, we’re gonna cool off in the summer heat. *Warrior Wellness
SCRAPBOOKING
Gather all your photos and art supplies! Warriors in this group will be adding their own spin, along with some family history, to journals, cards, and artwork. We will also utilize photos from the Summer 1 photography program. Let the creativity begin! *Warrior Wellness
MUSIC-MAKING
DIY Musical Instruments! Warriors will have the opportunity to work hands-on, making their own instruments. They will explore their environment and learn new skills to create music.
FRIDAYS
FARM-TO-TABLE COOKING
This session we will enter each week without a recipe. We will be using ingredients that come directly from the Knockout Farm and showcase all the different ways they can be prepared to make a delicious and healthy meal. *Warrior Wellness
WELLNESS WARRIORS
Venturing into the theme of “Making It,” Warriors will learn how to make things slow down in their lives as they explore the wonderful world of mindfulness. Warriors will learn skills to help connect and unify their heads and their hearts. Activities will include mindful walks, yoga, meditation, understanding and working with emotions, breathing techniques and much more.*Warrior Wellness
LIVE LIKE A WARRIOR
Let’s learn how to “make it” through this little thing called life! As we prepare for the residential phase of the OK Mission, we aim to get the Warriors’ input on what they want their living situations to look like as they age. We will talk about what housing options and arrangements are available in our community and what it will take to achieve our residential goals.
FARMING
It’s peak farm season and there are lots of crops that need to be harvested, pruned, and planted! Warriors will continue to practice their farming skills and reap the benefits of all their hard work by enjoying some fresh, farm produce at Friday dinner. *Warrior Wellness
