The South Dakota Afterschool Network works to better our state and its communities by connecting providers, parents and policymakers with proven tools and resources to increase the quality of and access to out-of-school time programming for K-12 children and youth.

Afterschool is a lifeline that keeps youth safe, helps kids learn and grow, and provides parents the ability to work without worry. While South Dakota is home to more than 300 afterschool programs, the demand for programs exceeds available spaces. In fact, 1 in 3 South Dakota children (34 percent) who are not in an afterschool program would be enrolled if it were available. That’s more than 42,000 children who are missing out on opportunities to participate in programming that supports their development academically, socially and economically.

Afterschool can provide valuable opportunities for students to explore STEM, and we are here to help your program succeed in STEM Learning! From webinars and trainings to our signature TMC Trailers that bring turnkey STEM activities to your doorstep, our diverse collection of resources meets you and your students where you are and provides the support you need to deliver quality programming to your students at any age. 

The South Dakota Afterschool Network wanted to create a mapping tool to better understand the landscape of afterschool and summer programs available for children and families. From the initial launch of the new mapping tool, we have identified some startling findings.

Family Tips & Resources

Family Tips & Resources

The South Dakota Afterschool Network is here to provide resources and tools that support families throughout South Dakota. Have a question or need more information on a topic? Please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

Find an afterschool program

Looking for an afterschool program in your community? South Dakota has hundreds of afterschool and summer learning programs across the state for children and families. Visit the interactive map to search for programs that meet your needs.

View the map here.

Find community resources

Looking for community resources? 211 is a free, confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people of all ages and from all communities to the essential health and human services they need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

2-1-1 provides families and individuals with information about:

  • Supplemental food and nutrition programs
  • Shelter and housing options and utilities assistance
  • Employment and education opportunities
  • Services for veterans
  • Health care and vaccination information
  • A safe, confidential path out of physical and/or emotional domestic abuse

…And so much more.

Family Learning Resources and Activities

Activities & Resources for Programs – March

Activities & Resources for Programs – March

Activities Mathematics & Probability Science Activity: Asked to get an estimate for the famed mathematical constant, Pi, you might do what the ancient Greeks did: Divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter. Or you can estimate Pi by a less conventional...

Activities & Resources for Programs – February

Activities & Resources for Programs – February

Activities 3D Printing by Hand: Students will explore how 3D printers work. Then, working in pairs, they will use the same methods used by 3D printers to create a 3D model of an object. This comes with a video for educators and a complete lesson plan.  Experiment with...

Activities & Resources for Programs – January

Activities & Resources for Programs – January

Activities Can Plants Stop Soil Erosion?: Intermediate level environmental engineering activity lasting 2-4 weeks. Oil erosion can cost the world billions of dollars every year by washing pollutants into our streams and rivers and by causing the loss of farmland. What...