Building of character and promoting positive behavior is an important part of every afterschool program. Besides the basics of homework help and physical fitness activities, afterschool programs are using teamwork exercises, service learning, volunteerism and other activities to teach kids about making the right decisions that will help them become responsible, caring and productive adults. The tasks of keeping kids safe and improving academic achievement come with lessons of self-confidence, compassion, perseverance, tolerance and ethics: lessons that will keep them in the classroom, earning good grades and planning for their futures and away from risky behaviors such as truancy, drug and alcohol abuse, criminal activity and sexual activity.