Schools out, we’re in — Week One

Editor’s note: The following is the first of a summer-long series detailing activities at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club. Call 360-683-8095 or see www.bgc-op.org for more information. — MD

Summer is off to a good start and last week was our first full week of all day programming. Doors open with our morning camp, where participants pay a modest $15 a day, or $65, a week for an action-packed morning before free lunch and when the club opens to all members at noon for no charge.

The Carroll C. Kendall Club didn’t skip a beat as the youths transitioned from school year to summer. The last day of school was buzzing with happiness as the club filled with kids celebrating the last day of school. We said goodbye to members we know will spend their summer at home, with family, in other towns or with parents that also enjoy the summers off.

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For many others, we will continue to see their smiling faces and together we’ll share in the summer experiences, making 2019 memorable.

The clubhouse doors unlocked at 7:45 a.m. on June 20 and we welcomed 100 members before noon. This year, our summer camp program takes on the theme “Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead.” Our morning campers will enjoy a week of activities, games, crafts and field trips.

Our afternoon programs will provide academic enrichment though several evidence based programs “Brain Gain,” “Stride Academy” and some locally-developed and volunteer-run programs like “Science Club” and “Robotics Club.”

We will bury our heads in books, hit the computer keyboards, jump into physical games, create incredible art and learn so much this summer.

Morning Camp

“Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead” with our summer of science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Members will spend a week diving deeper into the sea-life, atmosphere and weather. They will take a look at motors and transportation one week, math and numbers another week as well as exploring the work of Picasso’s and other artists. A week will be spent on both the art of music, and bridge engineering.

Last week our morning campers participated in the first full week of summer camp, “Mysteries of the Deep.” Campers made jellyfish art and Lego masterpieces, baked cookies to look like sand dollars and had crab races in the gym. The kids dropped to their hands and feet, belly up and crawled to the finish line hoping to be faster than their peers.

Feeding the Future

We had a successful launch to our Summer Lunch Program and have just completed our first week serving USDA-approved meals to all children under age 18. In Sequim we serve lunch from noon-1 p.m., not only at the Boys & Girls Club but at Elk Creek Apartments, SeaBreeze Apartments and Carrie Blake Community Park. Starting July 8 we will add Sequim High School and feed summer school students and the public until July 26.

The program’s success is attributed to the community service model coordinated by program leaders. If it weren’t for community involvement a program of this size, feeding free lunches to Sequim (and Port Angeles) children would not be obtainable.

Again this year, the faith communities and civic organizations help us keep costs and a nutritious meal available for those in need.

Children are enjoying the lunches served, and continue to come out for tasty meals in their lunch bags.

If you can help us during the weeks of July 8 or July 15, call the Sequim club at 360-683-8095, as we are still seeking volunteer help.