On their website www.californiaafterschool.org you can browse the 12 topics in their Resource Library or perform a search if you are looking for something specific.  Topics include mathematics, reading/language arts and physical activity as you would expect, but also behavior management, nutrition, program administration, youth development, and more. You can also request a copy of their catalog (published annually).

Once registered, you can add any item from their collection to your loan list and it will be shipped to you (anywhere in California), free of charge, on the date you requested (pending availability).  You can use the materials for up to four weeks and then you ship them back.

This is such an easy way to get quality reviewed materials to use in your afterschool program for just the cost of one-way shipping.  Check out the website and start checking out materials.

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My afterschool curriculum which I publish on my website Curricubits was recently reviewed by CASRC and added to the Resource Library.  The Oceans, Geology, and Family themes are available for checkout.

Materials are always a struggle for afterschool programs.  You want to get good materials for your students but they are expensive and your budge it limited.  When you do spend the money the materials disappear in less than a week and you are right back where you started.  You already know about shopping around for bargains, so here are three more strategies to help you make the most of your supply dollars.

1. Repurpose

Find ways to use the same materials for different activities.  For example if you purchase a specialty item like a set of pastel chalks you can have your students can use them to draw mountains when you teach a Geology theme and again to make leaf rubbings when you teach a Plants theme.

2. Swap

Whenever possible, schedule your groups (or sites) to do the same activites at different times.  This will save you money because you will be able to buy just one set of materials and then swap between the groups.  For example, if you schedule one site to use the pastel chalks this week, schedule another site to use the magnifying glasses.  Then switch next week.

3. Inventory

If you want to swap and repurpose effectively, you will need to keep an inventory of  your materials.  This may sound a little daunting, but it is not really that difficult.  Make a list of all the materials for and activity and include columns for check-out and check-in on your list.  Write down how many go out and how many come back in whenever you send something out.  Train your staff to check after every activity to make sure they have everything and to return consumables if they are not completely used up.

This three step process of repurpose, swap, and inventory can be used on a large or small scale.  Once you get your staff on board, you can even get your students into the act.  Teach them to save their scraps of construction paper for another project like a mosaic and to return their pencils for use tomorrow instead of losing them.  You will be amazed at how far your materials budget will reach.