CROWN POINT | Afternoons R.O.C.K., a six-week after-school program that provides exercise and alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention activities for ages 10 to 13, returns to Homann Karate Do Inc. next week.

Funded by a federal block grant provided through the state Family and Social Services Administration/Division of Mental Health and Addiction, the after-school program at Homann Karate Do Inc., 120 N. Main St., is offered free to Crown Point youngsters.

Young people will attend from 3:50 to 6:50 p.m. two or three times a week, Monday through Dec. 12, for karate instruction as well as homework help, leadership activities and sessions on decision making, refusal/resistance skills, violence prevention, peer and social influences, goal setting, teamwork, and structuring leisure time to remain alcohol and drug free. Healthy snacks and drinks are included, as well as trophies and certificates of achievement, and all participants receive a free karate uniform.

After school hours are critical hours to area youth, according to a program flier. The hours of 3 to 7 p.m. - between the time school lets out and adults in the family get home, often leave youths unsupervised and at risk, filled with temptation to experiment with alcohol, drugs and other dangerous behaviors.

Instead, Afternoons R.O.C.K. (Recreation, Object lessons, Culture and values and Knowledge) provides a safe, supervised environment with a trained educator and instructors that keep the youngsters busy and interested. Kim Homann is a trained teacher who leads the education sessions.

Afternoons R.O.C.K. in Indiana is designed to be fun and captivating for youths rather than simply "more school after school," according to a news release, which is why the lessons at Homann Karate Do are planned around a karate lesson offered at each session.

Homann Karate Do Inc. and Geminus Corporation have teamed up to offer the program in Crown Point for the fifth straight year, and space is limited. Children can sign up for only one session a year.

Parents can register their children at the karate school or call (219) 661-0085 for more information.

- The Times