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September 1, 2010
What to do after the bell
By Jennifer McDonald
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Photo by David Schreiber |
Even as parents get their kids ready to head back to school, they may be considering what to do with their kids after school.
Many officials have stated there’s growing research that shows that between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., children are at the greatest risk.
With that in mind, many organizations are tailoring special programs for school-age children, to not only keep them occupied, but also help them with schoolwork and keep them physically active and socially engaged.
According to Brett Tillander, chief professional officer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Oakland County, for $25 a year, children between the ages of 6 and 18 have a safe place to go out where they can connect with caring adults when the school day lets.
“Kids that don’t have that end up experimenting with drugs and alcohol, end up connecting with law enforcement. … Unattended youth really do suffer,” Tillander said. “The opportunity to participate in a program like the Boys and Girls Clubs that’s economically affordable and provides great quality, as parents or guardians, they are making a great decision and are really setting their children up for success by sending them here.”
Open every day after school until at least 7:30 p.m., the Boys and Girls Clubs — which has locations in Ferndale and Royal Oak — allows members to participate in a variety of activities, including tutoring and “Power Hour,” when staff members, tutors and community volunteers help kids complete their homework from the school day.
Children have the opportunity to work in the club’s art program to create paintings, drawings and sculpture, and play indoor soccer, basketball, floor hockey, baseball and T-ball with different leagues. For the first time, starting this fall, the Boys and Girls Clubs will also offer lacrosse, Tillander said.
“The nice thing for parents is that they can find a safe place for their kids to go, and for $25 a year, it eliminates any financial hurdle,” Tillander added.
At the Lakeshore Family YMCA, located in St. Clair Shores, a youth sports program is currently in the works, Branch Operations Director Joe Kovalcheck said.
New to the Lakeshore YMCA, Kovalcheck said he brings with him an expertise in youth sports and day camp activities.
“Now that I’m here, they’re stuck with me,” Kovalcheck joked. “We try to limit soccer to 24 kids at one time slot, but if 50 kids want to register, we’ll open up a new time slot. We’ll make it work.”
A youth soccer program for children between the ages of 3 and 7 should be in place by the beginning of September, while a dodge ball league for children between the ages of 8 and 11 will be formed this winter, Kovalcheck added.
Preschool and youth enrichment classes are also available for children between the ages of 3 and 6, including Stories, Scissors and Scoops, which will highlight a children’s author each week before ending with ice cream; Creative Artists, in which the works of Monet and Picasso will be used as a daily focus for lessons; Kids Concoctions, which gives kids a hands-on cooking experience; and Tiny Dancers Ballet, which will introduce children to creative movement. Programs start at $30. Fall sessions begin Sept. 13 and run through Oct. 31.
“The whole mission of the YMCA is to give kids the opportunity to have a safe and fun place to come where they can build some healthy life habits,” Kovalcheck said. “With the youth sports, the whole mindset is important in building young citizens.”
Registration is currently ongoing for programs at both facilities. For more information, visit www.boysandgirlsclubs.us or call (248) 544-4166, or visit www.ymcadetroit.org or call (313) 267-5300.
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