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Boys & Girls Clubs announces extended summer program and after school program

By Staff | Aug 13, 2020

By MELISSA BILL

news@breezenewspapers.com

On Aug. 3, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County announced that it will be extending the Summer Program and the start of the 2020-2021 After School Program. The club decided to offer the extended summer program in response to the Lee County School District’s decision to delay the start of the school year.

The extended summer programming began on Aug. 10 and runs until Aug. 28 at their Lehigh and Renaissance Preserve locations. Registration is currently open and scholarships are available through the Boys & Girls Club partnership with the United Way.

“We wanted to respond quickly and meet the needs of the families and children that we serve by offering them a safe, educational, fun place for their children to go during this transitional time period,” Denise Gergley, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County said in a press release.

Since the organization opened its summer program back in June, the need continues from local families in the area in regards to child care, but COVID-19 remains their primary focus.

“We have received a lot of calls and interest in our programs; however, we are seeing a decrease in registration. There is still a lot of uncertainty and concern regarding COVID-19,” Gergley said.

According to a Boys & Girls Club press release, safety and sanitation protocols remain in place, which include: daily temperature checks and wellness screenings, handwashing and sanitizing stations, frequent cleaning of all program and high touch areas, reduced capacity to ensure adherence to social distancing, and mandatory masks for both staff and members.

Due to COVID-19, a cap on group sizes will remain in effect for the coming year’s after school program.

“We keep our members in groups no larger than 10 with a 1:9 staff to member ratio (pre-COVID ratio 1:15),” Gergley explained.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic both parents and children have valued having a safe, nurturing environment to go to during these difficult times.

“Parents and kids have been great. They are so appreciative to have a safe, positive place for their kids to go this summer. COVID has changed how we run our programs but the mission for serving the youth in our community has never wavered,” Gergley said.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County offers programs that support their priority outcome areas of the arts, education, health and wellness, leadership and service, and sports and recreation.

The Boys & Girls Clubs will begin its 2020-2021 After School Program on Monday, Aug. 31 for children ages 6-12. Teen programs will also be available. Registration opened on Monday, Aug. 10. For club locations, hours of operation, registration and additional information visit their website at www.loveleekids.org or contact their administrative offices at 239-334-1886.

The organizations staff and administration are looking forward to beginning the new school year.

“We are excited to welcome back our current and new members to any of our 4 Clubs for the upcoming school year. We also just completed a renovation of our Lehigh Club which looks amazing, so come check us out!,” Gergley.

In addition to the Boys & Girls Clubs After School programs, they are currently exploring options to support families who choose to enroll their children in one of the Lee County School District’s distant learning options such as Lee Home Connect, Florida Virtual School, or home school.