Posted July 30, 2018

Some 800 students from the Out of School Time (OST) program gathered for a day of fun in the sun at Neshaminy Shore Picnic Park in Hulmeville on July 20.

Now in its eighth year, the annual “Big Splash” picnic gathers youth from the 12 OST sites located throughout Philadelphia.

An outreach of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services, the OST program provides year-round academic and social support at 12 sites throughout Philadelphia.

(Photos by Sarah Webb.)

Read our feature story on this event.

  • A student from the Out of School Time (OST) program at St. Helena in Philadelphia enjoys some fun in the sun at the OST’s annual picnic, July 22. The event unites kids and staff from OST’s 12 sites, through which archdiocesan Catholic Social Services serves almost 900 youth each year. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

  • Students from the Out of School Time (OST) program perform a dance routine at the eighth annual OST picnic, July 20. An outreach of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services, the OST program serves approximately 900 youth per year. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

  • An Out-of-School Time (OST) camper takes a lunch break at the annual OST picnic, July 20. Through its 12 OST sites, archdiocesan Catholic Social Services provides academic and social support to almost 900 youth each year. (Photo by Sarah Webb.)

  • Siblings Jackie Ritter (left) and Erik Ritter join students from the Out of School Time (OST) program at the eighth annual OST picnic, July 20. The Ritters each direct one of OST’s 12’s sites, located throughout Philadelphia. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

  • Students from the Out of School Time (OST) program exchanged t-shirts from their various afterschool centers at the eighth annual OST picnic, July 20. Through the OST program, archdiocesan Catholic Social Services supports approximately 900 youth per year. (Photo by Sarah Webb)