One of the staples of my childhood was the KidsCo program at Fallsmead Elementary School. KidsCo is an after school program in elementary schools all across Maryland and for me it was way more than just a place to pass time after school. KidsCo became a place where I made connections and had new experiences I still think about today. When I look back on it now, I understand that what made KidsCo different from other after school programs was not just the activities, but the tight-knit community that formed, and how the counselors treated everyone as equals.
The regular after-school program always gave activities such as sports programs that anyone could sign up for where different KidsCo programs would compete against each other in tournaments. Those games were some of the most enjoyable parts of the year because the teams got into the games and it made everyone feel like they were a part of something important. Even for the kids who weren’t the best players, people still gave encouragement and pushed kids to participate. That was a key element that separated KidsCo; nobody was treated like less than anyone else.
The counselors were a big reason why the experiences were so memorable. In other programs the adults may treat kids like they are less or don’t care about what they have to say but at KidsCo it felt different. The counselors talked to us like we were equals and respected us. They created a community and environment where everyone felt equal and included. This made it easy to form friendships. In KidsCo I created connections and relationships I still hold today, which goes to prove how strong the community was.
KidsCo also had a summer program, which was probably the most memorable part of KidsCo for me. Every weekday there would be an activity happening. Some days it would be a giant inflatable waterslide outside and other days it was crafts and games inside. The activities never felt repetitive because something new would always be planned. What made it better is that there would be field trips. There were buses that would take kids to places like waterparks, amusement parks and the zoo. Those trips felt great because it gave everyone activities to look forward to in the summer. Going somewhere new with all of your friends made it feel more like a community.
What sticks out most to me when I think about KidsCo is how connected everyone was. It was a place where people from different grades and friend groups would all come together. The counselors helped create this environment by making sure everyone felt included and welcome. Because of all this, KidsCo became more than a place for parents to keep their kids busy for a couple hours but it became a place where kids grew up together. Even now when I think back on those elementary years, KidsCo is the main thing that sticks in my mind.
