Catching Up With CAT: Reflecting on Afterschool

Hi everyone, welcome back to Catching Up with CAT. This is Noah. 

This week in afterschool, I found myself reflecting less on any single activity and more on the relationships that have been built over the course of the semester. Week by week, these spaces have become places where participants feel more comfortable showing up as themselves. Watching those connections form has been one of the most meaningful parts of spending time together after school. 

As we wrapped up the semester, we ended with a small celebration centered around foods you could take into the outdoors. It was simple, intentional, and very fitting for CAT. Sharing food created space to slow down, talk, and reflect on the time we have spent together. It felt like a full-circle moment, honoring both the relationships that were built and the outdoor values that ground our work. 

Looking ahead, I am excited to watch CAT continue to grow and change in the coming year. Each season brings new people, new ideas, and new opportunities to deepen this work. Being part of that evolution, and seeing how participants and programs continue to shape one another, is something I am really looking forward to.