Active Kids = Drug Free Kids

Did you know that a lack of supervision after school doubles the risk that your child will smoke, drink or abuse drugs?

"On school days, the prime time for juvenile crime is from 3 pm to 6 pm…being unsupervised after school puts kids at greater risk of truancy, receiving poor grades, mental depression, and substance abuse." (Americas After School Choice, a report from Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2000)

It's no different in Cambridge. According to the Cambridge Middle Grades Health Survey of 2007, children who are involved in after-school activities are less likely to try drugs.

The good news is that over half of all Cambridge youth are participating in after-school programs. For those parents who do not have children in after-school programs, there are many benefits besides safety for children to consider.

• Health
• Make friends / Have fun
• Learn New Skills
• Learn About Teamwork
• Leadership / Responsibility
• Civic Mindedness / Values
• College Admissions
• Social Support

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN DECIDING ON AN ACTIVITY