The Boys and Girls Club of Marion County will be holding a ten week summer program. This will run June through August and will be located at the local YMCA, Monday through Friday.
Breakfast, lunch, and a snack will be provided. Members will take part in outdoor play, gym time, swimming, nature club and arts and crafts.
Enrollment is open to any student in kindergarten through eighth grade.
The maximum fee is $50 a week and the minimum is $10. Over the summer, low income children go through greater learning losses than higher income children, so no child will be turned down.
Educational activities are key to the success of the summer campaign. Educational programming will be offered such as Project Learn, which strengthens skills children learn at school.
"These fun, but beneficial activities include leisure reading, writing activities, homework help and games like Scrabble," explained Executive Director Allison Miracle. "Summer reading loss is increasing with teachers spend an average of four to six weeks re-teaching materials that students have lost during the summer. With Project Learn, members are continuing to build upon reading and writing skills that will help them carry their skills into the next school year."
Drug and alcohol use is an issue present in schools today. According to www.teendrugabuse.us, as of 2003, teen drug abuse for the eighth grade was 30.3 %, tenth grade was 44.9 %, and by the twelfth grade it had risen to 52.8 %. SMART Moves is a prevention program which targets the problems of drug and alcohol use.
"This program teaches young people ages six to fifteen how to say no by involving them in discussion and role-playing," said Miracle. "This raises their decision-making skills and helps them study media and peer impacts. Teen drug abuse is an ever growing problem, especially in young teens, and SMART helps to confront these issues."
This summer program is not just for young children, but for older teens as well. Junior Staff is for 13 to 18 year olds and prepares members for future roles as human services professionals.
"By taking part in career growing activities and finding the importance of community service, these members are able to make positive decisions now and in the future," stated Miracle.
Miracle says the Boys and Girls Club is a positive place for kids and is continuing to help shape Marion’s youth into responsible young people. This summer program is just one more way the club is influencing young people, creating a positive light in their life.
If you would like to donate or get more information about the summer program, contact The Boys and Girls Club of Marion County at 370 East Mark Street, P.O. Box 207, Marion Ohio, 43302 or call 740-387-3462 for more details.
