GRAVETTE -- The summer program at the Gravette Boys and Girls Club is the biggest ever and Boys and Girls Club staff are justifiably proud of the success of the expanded program. This summer's program is serving 175 youngsters with all activities, at no cost to parents.
Ben Onnen, director of resource development for the western Benton County clubs, said that when he came on board as program leader at the Gravette club in 2013 summer enrollment was only 20 to 25 youngsters. This year the Boys and Girls Club partnered with the Gravette school system and, with the help of superintendent Richard Page, 150 students were enrolled. The program was so successful with 150 children, the decision was made to expand to 175 enrollees.
Summer Boys and Girls Club activities are funded through a U.S. Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. The grant is designed for after-school and summer programs. The program it funds helps youngsters meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects and offers a broad array of enrichment activities to complement the academic programs.
Morning sessions are held at the school and are led by teachers from the school district. Students have the option of learning Spanish through the Rosetta Stone program, taking a LEGO robotics course or getting tutoring help in math, English and science. They also have weekly themed STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities to use what they have learned in school in practical real-world situations, Onnen explained. Some students have also been involved in the public library's summer reading program. Afternoon activities, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., are held at the club meeting rooms in the Civic Center.
Children in the summer program receive a healthy breakfast and lunch, served at the school cafeteria, and enjoy field trips every Friday. Some of the field trips have taken them to Crystal Bridges Museum, Bluff Dwellers Cave and Arvest Ballpark for a Naturals game. Movies are shown on Wednesday afternoons. Youngsters also have access to the city swimming pool three days a week. Holly Wallace, owner of Granny's Simple Blessings, has come in to give the students instruction in painting and making wooden toys and will be teaching future craft classes.
The Boys and Girls Club program includes two summer sessions. The first sesssion just concluded on June 26. The second session will be held July 6 through Aug. 7. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students can be dropped off anytime after 7 a.m. and picked up at any time during the day.
Ashley Oosterman is program leader at the Gravette club. She is assisted by Onnen and staff members Jesse Owens, Savannah Deaton, Paulee Hendren, Aubrey Moudy, Russell Sharp and Megan Crutchfield.
A pilot program in Decatur, serving 75 students, is in its first year. Onnen said his goal is "to really make a difference along the Highway 59 corridor." He says he would like to attract and serve students all along the west side of the county, from the Missouri line down to Siloam Springs.
If the success of the Gravette program is any indication, he is laying a good foundation for a valuable program area-wide.
Community on 07/08/2015