After Opps Registration: Spring Semester 2019

Registration for the OK After Opps Spring 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 Fall Session 1.

CULTURE THEME:

In an effort to be more consistent and cohesive across programs, we have established a unified theme approach to help guide program offerings in both Life Shop and After Opps. The theme for the 2019 Spring Semester, spanning two 7-wk After Opps sessions, is “CULTURE”: Exploring and understanding the intersections of people, places, and things in our diverse and ever-changing world. Programs will be wide-ranging, but tie into culture in some way.

WARRIOR CHOICE UPDATE:

Along with shifting to 7-week sessions and implementing a Culture theme for the semester, we will also be adding more Warrior choice to our programs. Upon registration, we ask that Warriors please rank their preferred Monday activity offerings, as they already do on Fridays. For the first three Monday’s of the session, Warriors will participate in one of their desired groups each week. They will switch to a new desired group for the next three weeks.

The 7th week of our sessions will also be a Warrior choice and reward week, where Warriors will participate in fun and unique culture-themed activities to celebrate their hard work throughout programs.

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 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.

WINTER SPORTS

In this program, we will put a Warrior-spin on classic winter sports such as hockey, ice skating, curling, and skiing.*Warrior Wellness

POP CULTURE TIME MACHINE

In this time-traveling program, Warriors will explore the fashion, music, and art of iconic decades such as the 20’s, 60’s, 70’s, 90’s and more! Don’t forget your bell-bottoms and boomboxes as we explore pop culture through the years!

WEDNESDAYS

GALA CRAFTS & SPOTLIGHT

In this program, Warriors will prepare for our 10th Annual Night for Opportunities Gala (April 6th) by making Warrior crafts and brainstorming and practicing for their upcoming Warrior Spotlight Moment performance.

DIVERSITY OF DANCE

Get ready to move to the beat in this program where we explore different styles of dance from around the world! From Bollywood to Ballet, Warriors will have the opportunity to explore a variety of cultures through movement.*Warrior Wellness

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Have you ever wondered what else is out there in the world of cartoons and movies? In this program we will explore several different cultures and their tv shows, movies, and animations. We will also explore how these various films depict culture through language, motifs, and art styles.

THE CULTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY

Jump on the bus and let’s explore what Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park have to offer! In this program, we will explore the historical background and culture of each town as we immerse ourselves in the community.

FRIDAYS

PITA PARTY

This session we will visit the cuisine of the Mediterranean. We will visit such countries as Greece, Spain, France, Italy, and more.*Warrior Wellness

WELLNESS WARRIORS

Formerly known as “Workout Warriors,” we will spend each week in this program strengthening our bodies, minds, and spirits through fitness and applied learning activities. The focus this semester will be on the culture of self-care. We will examine how to care for ourselves holistically through activities such as self-care plans, personal interests, spiritual exploration and workout plans.*Warrior Wellness

COMMUNITY VOCATION

Volunteer Warriors! We will get a chance to volunteer at different sites around our community and practice our vocational skills. We will volunteer at places such as Dominican University, The OPRF food pantry, and Housing Forward, providing help for the community organizations around us.

LANGUAGE CLUB

Hola! Bonjour! Wie Geht’s! Hujambo! In this program, Warriors will explore and learn different spoken languages such as Spanish and German as well as unspoken forms of communication like American Sign Language (ASL) and other Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

MONDAYS

COMMUNITY OPPS

This session, warriors will learn about a new community organization and complete a major service project for them.

THE WORLD OF SPORT

In the World of Sport, we will be exploring different sports across the globe and their role within different cultures. We will be playing and learning about the history and rules of new sports such as soccer, bocce ball, lacrosse, and more! *Warrior Wellness

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS & ETIQUETTE

Throughout Cultural Connections and Etiquette, we will be exploring traditions and mannerisms from around the world. Join us as we host a Japanese tea ceremony, decorate masks for Italy’s Carnevale and connect with the community in our exploration around the world.

COMIC CLUB

Batman, Black Panther, DC comics, and Stan Lee. In this program we will review comic book culture, comic icons, and their origins. And not only within the U.S., but also comic book culture throughout the world and their history. We will also review pop culture comic book icons and their origins.

WEDNESDAYS

GALA CRAFTS & SPOTLIGHT

GLOBAL GROOVES

Music is enjoyed by every culture throughout our world; it is a universal human language. In this program, warriors will learn about different styles of music from many different places as well as the cultural significance and purpose of music to these places.

MARTIAL ARTS

Taekwondo, Krav Maga, Jujutsu, Qigong, Karate, Judo. There are so many different forms of martial arts out there. This program will explore both the physical and mental sides of these art forms. *Warrior Wellness

DISABILITY CULTURE

Disability cultures exist as communities of people around topics of disability. The cultures include arts movements and coalitions and involve poetry, dance, performance pieces, installments, sculptures, and more. We will take a deeper look into disability culture and what it means to us in this program.

FRIDAYS

CHOPPED

Warriors in the cooking program this session will focus on the art of stewing. Warriors will use different proteins, veggies, and spices to explore the many different ways this form of cooking can deliver delicious results. *Warrior Wellness

WELLNESS WARRIORS

FARMING

It’s time to gear up the farm for the 2019 season! Warriors will be able to practice their farming skills every Friday and learn the ins and outs of farming. Be prepared to get your hands dirty. Lett-uce Turn-ip the Beet! *Warrior Wellness

CULTURE FAMILY DAY PLANNING

This group of Warriors will be in charge of planning for our next coming family day on April 26th. We will be focusing on our theme, Culture, as we decide on a live performance, game shows, and other fun ideas.