DECATUR - After-school programs aren't all about homework.

That was abundantly clear Thursday at the Decatur Family YMCA as the agency teamed up with the Decatur School District to participate in the ninth annual Lights On Afterschool nationwide celebration.

The lobby was teeming with children of all sizes playing carnival games as they waited for Eisenhower High School's step team to perform some hip-hop.

"Come on, Blue," 17-year-old Kandiss Wells cajoled Benjamin Addai, 12, as he prepared to toss another blue ball at the tic-tac-toe game she was running, then she squealed when the ball landed in one of the squares.

Benjamin, a seventh-grader from Lutheran School Association who had come to the Greater Decatur Y to pick up his sister from dance class, said playing tic-tac-toe like this was more challenging but fun. "I'm having a good time," he said.

That was the point of Thursday's event, designed to entertain and call attention to after-school programs in the Decatur area.

"So many students in the community need a safe place to go to do their homework," said Rhonda Cromwell, coordinator of the 21st Century after-school program at Decatur's public high schools and middle schools. "We also wanted to point out that our program has two components. The first is academic, but the second is recreational."

The 21st Century program already teams up with the Y for recreation, she said, so it made sense to join forces for Thursday's celebration. Keith Worland, youth and family director for the YMCA, said he planned to offer tours of the Y's youth gymnasium and sports wall.

Other organizations with informational displays were First United Methodist Church, which was highlighting its Wednesday night programming for people of all ages, and the Community Health Improvement Center, which was emphasizing good nutrition.

Eighth-grader Paris Woods, 13, said she's receiving help with algebra, trying her hand at scrapbooking and getting to play dodge ball at the 21st Century program at Stephen Decatur Middle School.

Stevenson third-grader Jared Gregory, 8, believes he has a better deal being part of the YMCA's school-age program, however.

"I get to go to the gym every day," Jared said. "It's pretty fun."

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