Childcare Options During the Oklahoma Teacher Walkout

Well, Easter is upon us and I'm working on a post about our plans for Easter weekend, but first I wanted to mention the teacher strike that is likely to happen in Oklahoma next week. First and foremost, we support our Oklahoma teachers and we appreciate all they do for the kids in this state.

Even though the Oklahoma House has passed a teacher pay raise plan, the teachers are still planning to walk out on April 2nd. I hope the teachers can get what they're asking before the strike.

With the teacher walkout looking likely, a lot of working families are looking for childcare for next week and until the teachers return to the classrooms. What a wonderful community that we have! Many organizations have stepped in to fill the gap left by the empty classrooms. 

Some locations of the Boys and Girls Clubs in Central Oklahoma will be open during school hours next week. Many churches in the area will be having childcare available during the day. The Oklahoma Science Museum and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum will be having drop-in camps. The Oklahoma City Zoo is planning day camps for kids. Sam Nobel Museum will also be hosting a camp during the walkout. 

Here's a list of the options I've found.  If you've found others, please put them in the comments so that we can help make sure Oklahoma children are taken care of during the walkout. I'm sure there are other churches and organizations that are opening their doors to families in need of childcare during this time.

1. Boys and Girls Clubs - Memorial Park, Telstar Elementary, Cesar Chavez clubs (also some in Tulsa area and probably other areas as well, check the website) 
2. Oklahoma Science Museum - Pre-K and Kindergarten camps 9am-noon, grades 1-6 are 9am-4pm. Bring snacks/lunch. 
3. National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum - drop-in activities 10am-2pm, cost of museum admissions
4. Oklahoma City Zoo -  ages 4-11, 8:30am-4:30pm. Bring lunch. 
5. Sam Noble Museum, Norman - ages 5-11, 8:30am-5pm. Bring snacks/lunch.
6. Oklahoma Children's Theatre - 8am-6pm, call for details
7. Journey Church, Norman - Pre-K - 4th grade, 9am-2pm. Lunch and snacks provided.
8. Henderson Hills Baptist Church, Edmond - K-5th grade, 9am-3pm. Lunch provided.
9. Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma - K-5th grade, Email info@gswestok.org for more info.
10. YMCA - Many locations open, check website
11. Riversport Adventures - ages 8-14, 8am-4pm. Bring lunch.
12. OKC Parks & Recreation Centers - many facilities open for kids during the teacher walkout, check website for details
13. Oklahoma Aquarium - 2nd-5th grade, 8-5pm. Bring lunch.