AfterSchool Learn and Play

Now beginning its 17th year, the all-volunteer Learn and Play program of Eastport United Methodist Church offers after school activities for children in kindergarten and the elementary grades 1 thru 5. The program is reminiscent of a one room school house and draws on the experience of what has been termed "micro schooling"--Montessori-inspired, project based and child led.

Volunteers from the church and the community engage in a variety of educational games and puzzles, arts and crafts, reading of books, field trips, and playground activities. Assistance also can be provided to the children in completing their homework as needed.

Participants meet twice a week: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. in the multi-purpose classroom on the church's lower level. Volunteers are not expected to attend all sessions. They can come as often as their schedules allow and for whatever number of hours they wish to work. Volunteers are not assigned to any particular child, so participants have maximum flexibility in terms of attendance. There are no training requirements or background checks, although volunteers are asked to complete the Safe Sanctuary Form of the Baltimore/Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church.