There are plenty of ways to get involved in your community this month. To get you started, we came up with six spooky-fun volunteering ideas for October.

If you’re a bookworm, you know just how great reading can be. If you’re not, check it out, and see all the benefits books can give.

Discover creative ways families and teachers can weave STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) into everyday learning. This guide provides actionable project ideas, valuable resources. It highlights the powerful benefits of hands-on activities in fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills for children at home and in the classroom.

Make this season about more than just pumpkin spice lattes and costumes. Check out some of these ideas on how you can give back this month.

This blog post examines the urgent issue of school shootings in the United States, highlighting their frequency and severity compared to other countries. It explores contributing factors such as access to firearms, mental health challenges, bullying, and cultural influences. The article also features expert opinions and outlines actionable measures—including stricter gun control, enhanced mental health support, anti-bullying initiatives, and community involvement—to create safer learning environments. Readers will gain valuable insights into the complexities of the problem and potential solutions for protecting students and schools.

Values and beliefs instilled now flourish into actions later. What can you do to instill philanthropic values in your children? To get you started, here are six ways to teach your child about giving.

If you’re looking to celebrate this multicolor season in style with your family, check out these fun fall adventures you need to go on this year.

This blog highlights the value of enrolling children early in academic enrichment and social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. It explains how these programs help build strong academic foundations, develop social skills, and encourage emotional resilience, giving children an educational advantage and minimizing learning gaps. The article emphasizes choosing programs that offer balanced academic and SEL growth, supported by qualified staff and positive environments. Operation Xcel’s Operation Homework program is featured as a free resource for underserved youth, providing tutoring, SEL activities, and family engagement to foster success. Early participation in such programs is presented as a smart investment in a child's future.

Sometimes we all need to feel like a kid again. If you’re tired of adulthood and want to rewind the clock, check out these six activities to relive those childhood memories.

This blog provides an in-depth exploration of the importance and benefits of after-school programs in supporting student success. It discusses how these programs enhance academic achievement through personalized attention, engaging learning methods, and skill development. The blog highlights innovative approaches, such as digital platforms and project-based learning, that prepare students for real-world challenges. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of after-school activities in fostering holistic development, including creativity, confidence, and positive attitudes towards education. Readers will gain insights into how structured, engaging, and tailored after-school programs contribute significantly to academic and personal growth, making them an essential component of comprehensive educational strategies.

Studies have found that volunteering can positively impact both your body and your mind. Here are a few ways doing good in your community can do some good for yourself!

At Operation Xcel, we know that parents, teachers, mentors, and coaches give so much of themselves to help children thrive. This blog explores the importance of self-care and work-life balance for those who care for others. From setting boundaries to practicing mindfulness, we share practical strategies and encouragement to help caregivers recharge, stay resilient, and continue making a positive impact in the lives of students and families.

Fundraisers are an important way to give back to your school and raise money to support causes you care about. However, fundraisers aren’t the only way to get involved.

This blog discusses ways to continue the principles of Operation Xcel at home during Family Fun Month. It presents 10 family-oriented activities designed to reinforce values and skills introduced in after-school and summer sessions, including game nights, outdoor exploration, crafting, and volunteering. These shared experiences may support family relationships, encourage leadership abilities, and contribute to personal development, teamwork, and a continued interest in learning.

This blog provides an authentic look at the daily experiences of two dedicated site directors, Ms. Johnson of Peck Elementary and Ms. Cook of Jamestown Middle School. It highlights their triumphs, challenges, and aspirations as they nurture, inspire, and support students beyond the traditional classroom.

Whether they’re familial, romantic or platonic, relationships are vital to beneficial and stable lives. So how can we learn to build positive and enriching relationships?

This August, we celebrate National Water Quality Month. How can you have an impact on water quality?

This blog post provides parents with updated, practical strategies for successfully transitioning children from summer break back to school. Combining insights from Scholastic and Johns Hopkins University, discover tips for re-establishing routines, fostering emotional well-being, enhancing academic readiness, and preparing for a confident start to the new school year.

For individuals and their families, the words “You need a new organ” are earth-shattering. Luckily, we can make a difference.

This blog paints two vivid portraits of summertime for working parents: one, a world without summer camps, and the other, a season shaped by the presence of Operation Xcel’s 3-Steps Ahead summer camp.

How can you live an altruistic lifestyle when negativity is on your mind? Today we've got the answers as we share six tips to help train your brain to be more positive.

For students in Guilford County and Stokesdale, summer enrichment programs offer an essential remedy, keeping minds sharp and motivation high.  That is where Operation Xcel's 3 Steps Ahead Summer Camp comes in! This blog explains why our summer enrichment programs during our Summer Camp helps children continue learning in preparation for stepping up to the next grade in the Fall while still enjoying hot fun in the summertime!

Whether it’s a staycation or a world trip —you deserve a break this year.

When you have an efficient morning routine, you set an effective tone for the rest of the day. Here are five ways to establish a productive morning routine.

Setting goals is simple. We’ve all heard different phrases, acronyms and ways to properly set a goal for life. However, accomplishing goals can be a whole different task.

If you’re looking for a way to get outside while also improving your whole self, gardening may be the hobby for you.

We all know volunteering has a positive influence, but did you know that it can actually assist your health?

As technology continues to evolve, so too will the risks associated with the digital world. By addressing internet security with youth today, we are not only protecting them in the present but also preparing them to become responsible digital citizens in the future. Through education, open communication, and collaboration among families, schools, and organizations, we can create a robust foundation for a safer, more secure online environment for generations to come (National Cybersecurity Alliance, 2023).

No matter how old you are, what your musical taste is or whether or not you can read a note, there’s never a wrong time to learn how to play an instrument.

Summer break is a time for kids to relax and recharge, but without structure, it can easily turn into endless hours of TV and video games. While some downtime is healthy, too much screen time can take away from valuable learning opportunities and real-world fun.

Operation Xcel's after-school and summer programs promote reduced screen time for youth, with staff limiting screen usage to educational purposes exclusively. The discipline fostered during these programs aids in implementing similar practices at home. As a parent, you can help your child strike a balance between play and learning with a few simple strategies.

With the help of a bicycle, we can take better care of the environment, our physical bodies and even spend time together. So how can you mark this momentous occasion?

Mental wellness check-ins are crucial for children during their formative years, providing a safe space for expressing emotions and fostering resilience. These check-ins help build trust, identify early signs of distress, and support both emotional and academic well-being (Doe, 2020). Mental Health Awareness Month is an ideal opportunity to discuss the topic of mental well-being and emphasize how parents and Operation Xcel staff can assist children in developing life skills through the tools and resources that Operation Xcel utilizes to ensure each child achieves mental wellness.

Fortunately, there are a few ways and practices to grow in your communication skills. Here are healthy habits you can try to become a strong communicator.

At Operation Xcel, certified educators utilize a learning style inventory to implement strategies that effectively leverage students' cognitive strengths and limitations. This shared knowledge (metacognition) aids in fostering self-awareness and self-confidence among students, enabling them to comprehend previously challenging concepts. These skills empower individuals to tackle challenges, excel in various areas, and contribute to positive youth development, including community resilience and well-being. The strategies used by Operation Xcel in its afterschool and summer programs demonstrate that metacognitive strategies and social-emotional learning (SEL) have a positive impact on youth development, classifying it as a positive youth development (PYD) program.

If you try to live altruistically, then combating your own loneliness can play a vital role in how you serve others. Here’s how to overcome loneliness in everyday life.

Choosing the "ideal" vacation depends on your family's unique interests, the ages of your children, and your budget. By focusing on destinations and activities that naturally integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, you can create a trip that is both engaging and educational. This blog offers ideas that can turn what your children may call 'boring' family vacations into memories and impactful learning that lasts throughout their lifetime.

While it might seem simple to say talents can help others, actually identifying your talents and putting them to good use can be a little bit more difficult.

Families with limited resources can help their children stay focused on learning during the summer by using community resources, engaging in educational activities at home, establishing routines, promoting social learning, encouraging a growth mindset, utilizing online platforms, collaborating with educators, and fostering a love of learning for positive educational outcomes.

We have the best motivational tips and tricks to keep you motivated for the end of the school year. Don’t give up yet—stay encouraged with these easy ideas.

In this insightful blog, we provide essential strategies for parents to effectively support their children through the end-of-grade testing season. With techniques ranging from establishing a positive study atmosphere to fostering healthy habits and minimizing test anxiety, our tips aim to empower students, helping them approach these challenges with confidence. Regardless of whether your child is in elementary or middle school, implementing these suggestions will transform test preparation into a more manageable and even uplifting experience for everyone in the family.

Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks to encourage picky eaters young and old to try new foods. Check out these helpful hints to (hopefully) try new things.

Operation Xcel is celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, April 21-25, 2025, along with the National AfterSchool Association, to recognize, appreciate, and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school hours.

Operation Xcel provides free after-school tutoring and learning for elementary and middle school children at various locations in Guilford County. But what if kids could maintain their skills and avoid falling behind due to summer learning loss? Operation Xcel has the answer with its 3 Steps Ahead summer program. This program is designed not just for fun and games; it helps children retain their academic success from the previous school year and prepares them for the upcoming grade. 3 Steps Ahead aims to combat the 'Summer Slide' while still incorporating enjoyable activities.

Turns out, even the smallest steps can have an impact. This Earth Day, consider your ecological footprint and enact these seven green ways to embrace today.

Despite their age, children can have a powerful impact in the community, if only we encourage them to do so. Here are four reasons kids should start volunteering young.

Financial education is now considered a crucial life skill that should begin in schools, preparing students to navigate a money-centered society. Operation Xcel understands the importance of teaching young people financial skills, and this year, we will incorporate a financial education component into our programming, starting with the 3 Steps Ahead Summer Camp. The 3 Steps Ahead Summer Enrichment Program is a well-regarded initiative that is designed to help students retain what they have learned from the previous grade and prepare them for their next grade. Our 3 Steps Ahead Summer program will be enhanced with the return of financial education.

Education and Sharing Day, often celebrated within various communities and organizations, aims to highlight the significance of education as well as the values of kindness, sharing, and personal growth (Grammarly, 2025). This day is frequently dedicated to Abraham Joshua Heschel, a prominent Jewish theologian and philosopher, in recognition of his contributions to education and social justice. The purpose and goals of Education and Sharing Day align closely with the mission, vision, and values of Operation Xcel in several ways. This blog shows how Operation Xcel aligns with the goals of Education and Sharing Day.

Poetry is a cultural art form that combines the beauty of literature with an artistic sense of musicality. This National Poetry Month, you can celebrate by trying these 13 ideas.

Underserved youth face challenges, including academic disparities like the lack of access to resources and support for academic success, and learning loss.  They face socioeconomic challenges related to limited access to enrichment activities, food insecurity, and lack of basic needs like housing. Safety and supervision are of major concern for marginalized youth because of the increased exposure to negative influences and lack of safe and structured environments.  These challenges are exacerbated by their limited opportunities for social-emotional learning and access to positive role models. Afterschool programs make a difference in the lives of the marginalized youth who otherwise could not afford to attend these programs. Operational Xcel’s Operation Homework after-school programming offers tutoring, homework help, and enrichment activities free of charge to all underserved youth in Title I schools in Guilford County and Stokesdale. Operation Xcel exists to reach underserved youth, training them to overcome many obstacles to their future success.

If you want to live a more altruistic life, but aren’t sure where to start, then you’ve come to the right place. Here’s how to find a cause you care about.