Our Out-of-school Time Programming!

Every child should have access to safe learning environments after school and during the summer. So What Else advocates on behalf of youth and we deliver free out of school time programming to students across the Baltimore Washington Metropolitan community. Our programming offers an opportunity for youth to have new holistic experiences, knowledge, and perspectives. Through providing a positive environment, mentorship and social and emotional supportive curriculums, we are able to support the development of the whole child. 

Core Program Components:

Check out a few of our curriculums below!

Arts and Activism -  The So What Else Art & Activism Curriculum is based on a service learning and young activists’ approach to visual and performing arts. Elements of service learning, environmentalism, music and literacy and are consistently interwoven into this dynamic after-school program, teaching students the importance of creative expression and design in their lives and in their communities. Throughout the program students will be exposed to topics such as how art has played pivotal roles in various equal rights movements, how design can affect a community and how individuals can connect and create an impact with artistic design.

Youth Developmental Outcomes

• Youth will recognize the importance of personal reflection and be able to express these reflections through personal works of art.

• To discover a variety of inspirational sources for creating works of art.

• Youth will gain a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to creating a work of art.

• Allows youth to demonstrate ability to transfer artistic knowledge and skills into service based skills

• Youth will demonstrate the creativity, imaginative thinking and problem solving to create a unique work of art when given general parameters.

INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS- The So What Else Inc. Integrative Wellness Curriculum takes a comprehensive approach to teaching kids the importance of living their healthiest life. Our curriculum combines hands on cooking workshops, nutrition education, mindfulness practices, movement and fitness activities to engage students in new and creative ways to stay healthy. Throughout this course, students are exposed to topics such as healthy foods, sustainable diets, seasonal and local produce, health risks posed by processed foods and sugars, yoga and meditation, stress management and the importance of staying active. Service learning is also integrated into this program by researching and discussing openly the topics of food insecurity, food deserts, hunger and homelessness. Students participate in cooking a healthy meal or snack to donate to a nearby homeless shelter or to community members in need.

Youth Developmental Outcomes

• Youth learn how to make informed decisions regarding their own food and lifestyle choices.

• Through introspective practices and rituals youth become more self-aware and mindful of their bodies and health.

• Youth demonstrate ability to effectively identify, manage and express their emotions and feelings in a positive and appropriate manor.

• Youth develop skills and attitudes to make physical activity a habit.

• Youth build teamwork skills as they work with their peers to complete a project or recipe.  

• Youth build health literacy skills and demonstrates ability to make informed decisions regarding their own food and lifestyle choices.

Mixed Programming - The So What Else Mixed Programming Curriculum is an integrative program based on Expressive Arts, Integrative Wellness, Environmental Stewardship and Service Learning. Students will take part in a variety of activities, and topics from stress management and cooking healthy foods to painting and environmental clean ups. Each program is guided by our So What Else “10 Pillars” which is our organization's core value set.

Youth Developmental Outcomes

• Youth will recognize the importance of personal reflection and be able to express these reflections through personal works of art.

• Youth will gain a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to creating a work of art.

• Youth will demonstrate the creativity, imaginative thinking and problem solving to create a unique work of art when given general parameters.

• Students will investigate the role of self responsibility in health enhancing behaviors

• This activity encourages students to view their emotions objectively and assert  control and awareness over their feelings and their actions

• Students will develop competencies in health literacy when choosing and making healthy food choices.

• Students investigate solutions to community health epidemics by learning to apply health literacy techniques into service based projects.

• Student will demonstrate civic responsibility and investigate ways to contribute to local environmental stewardship efforts.