	Out-of-School Time Services

Introduction

Administration and Management

Service Delivery Administration Standards

Service Standards

PA-OST 7: Outdoor Environment

The outdoor environment meets the needs of children and youth, and allows them to be independent and creative.

Note: Agencies that do not have their own outdoor space may demonstrate that they access other outdoor spaces (e.g., neighborhood parks or school playgrounds) to implement these standards. However, they should also be prepared to demonstrate that the spaces they use meet the health- and safety-related requirements specified in PA-OST 8 and PA-ASE.

If there is no access to an outdoor space, or if the activities offered do not require outdoor space, the agency should request an NA.

Additional standards that address the importance of providing a clean, healthy, and safe service environment are included in PA-OST 8 and PA-ASE.

PA-OST 7.01

The outdoor space is suitable for a wide variety of activities.

Interpretation: Examples of ways to demonstrate implementation of this standard include, but are not limited to:

There is an open area where children and youth can run, jump, and play;
There is a large field area, for structured sports activities such as kickball;
There is a hard surface for basketball, rollerblading, and bike riding;
There is a protected area for quiet play and socializing; and
If the outdoor space is small, the time children and youth spend outdoors is staggered so that they are not crowded during outdoor activities.

PA-OST 7.02

Children and youth have frequent, regular opportunities to participate in outdoor activities.

Interpretation: Examples of ways to demonstrate implementation of this standard include, but are not limited to:

Children and youth have opportunities for unstructured outdoor recreation and play;
Children and youth have opportunities to go outdoors to participate in structured sports and other physical fitness activities;
Children and youth have a chance to be outdoors for at least 30 minutes out of every three hour block of time at the program;
When weather permits, children and youth can go outdoors often;
In some situations, all children and youth may go outdoors, and in other situations, outdoor time can be offered as an open-ended choice; and
An indoor space is available for large-motor activities when the weather is bad (e.g., extreme cold, heat, or smog alert).

PA-OST 7.03

Children and youth can easily access a variety of outdoor equipment and games.

Interpretation: Examples of ways to demonstrate implementation of this standard include, but are not limited to:

Storage areas are kept open so that children and youth may select equipment for their activities; and
Outdoor games and sports equipment are stored close to the activity space, or moved near the activity space during the time children and will be using it.

PA-OST 7.04

Permanent playground equipment is suitable for the ages, sizes, and abilities of children and youth.

Interpretation: Examples of ways to demonstrate implementation of this standard include, but are not limited to:

Equipment offers various levels of challenge;
Older children have access to more challenging equipment; and
Younger children can reach most of the climbing structures.

Note: See PA-OST 3.05 for more information about meeting the needs of children and youth with special needs.

NA The agency does not have permanent playground equipment.

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	PURPOSE: Children and youth who participate in Out-of-School Time Services gain the personal and social abilities and attitudes needed to form positive identities, boost self-esteem, build skills, navigate challenging situations, avoid negative behaviors, assume leadership roles, embrace diversity, and establish healthy connections with others in the community.

RELATED FILES


	SERVICE One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.


	LEADERSHIP A nonprofit organization's leadership consists of its governing body, chief executive officer, and may also include its senior management. In a public agency the term refers to the agency head and administration team. The term "leadership" is not generally applied to for-profit organizations. With respect to COA standards, in for-profit organizations the term leadership applies to the owner and board of directors if one exists.


	COMMUNITY A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.