Don’t confuse before- and after-school programs in this region with babysitting.
The best programs here keep kids safe and well-fed while also offering help with homework, playgrounds that build motor skills, opportunities to learn, and more.
“We are creating a safe, positive space for these kids to collaborate and compete and ultimate creating future engineers, architects, artists, CEOs,” says Brandon Kathman, Director of Marketing & Communications for the
Boys & Girls Clubs Great Lakes Bay Region.
“They have a space here. A space where we would to build their confidence and kindle their passion.”
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Peggy Condon-Watson, Executive Director of the Bay County Child and Senior Citizen Center, also runs a before- and after-school care focused on education as well as play. The
Literacy Council of Bay County provides tutoring to some of the kids at the center.
“We also provide our own support to students as they’re working on homework,” Condon-Watson adds. “We’ll help them with that. We make sure they get it done. In some cases, we provide actual tutoring help here.”
The child care portion is based in the Fremont Center, which is a former elementary school, Condon-Watson says. That means the kids also have access to a gym and playground when they’re done with homework.
When you donate to the
United Way of Bay County, your money supports both the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Bay County Children’s & Senior Citizens programs. This article is part of an ongoing #UnitedForGood series highlighting agencies and programs the United Way of Bay County supports.
Boys & Girls Clubs Great Lakes Bay Region
The Boys & Girls Clubs provides after-school care for kids between 6 and 18 years old at four Bay County locations – 300 W. Lafayette Ave. in Bay City; Verellen Elementary School, 612 Barton Ave. in Essexville; and 201 North St. in Pinconning.
While there is an overall shortage of licensed child care in Bay County, the Boys & Girls Clubs program still has room for more kids. Kathman says the program is still accepting members at some of its Bay County locations.
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Graphic courtesy of the Boys & Girls Clubs Great Lakes Bay Region
“We’ve been on a growth trajectory,” Kathman says.
The Essexville site is at the building’s capacity with about 200 kids, but the others are accepting new members.
Kathman is reluctant to say how many kids the program can accept because not every family needs care every day. He also says the clubs with larger spaces would consider hiring more staff if demand increases.
The after-school program runs from when school let out until 6 or 7 p.m., depending on location. Kids find their way to the clubs via public transportation, school buses, and individual rides.
During the hours the kids are inside the club, they will be offered a snack and a meal, time and space to do homework, and recreational programs.
“We feed them, we help with homework, and then, beyond that, we have a number of other programs,” Kathman says.
An e-sports program, where kids compete in online games, builds digital literacy. Triple Play is a physical education program that takes advantage of indoor and outdoor spaces at each location. A Healthy Habits program, part of Triple Play, emphasizes nutrition, physical activity, and overall well-being.
“We have the edible education garden out back where we’re growing produce and vegetables,” Kathman says. “Project Learn complements the classroom experience with more hands-on experiential activities,” Kathman adds.
They recently started offering a podcasting program.
“We were looking for ways to engage our older members and empower them to share their ideas, their values, their stories,” Kathman says. “That’s a great space for the kids to interact and interview community leaders.”
Recent podcasts highlighted State Rep. Timmy Beson, R-Bay City and Mike Murray, Delta College Planetarium Manager.
“That’s a program our kids, specifically our older kids, really enjoy,” Kathman says.
The Boys & Girls Clubs after-school program is $50 per year. The program accepts all who apply, he adds. There are no residency requirements or income guidelines.
“We welcome everybody,” Kathman says. “It’s our mission to serve the young people who need us, especially those who need us the most. This really is a tremendous institution. I’m so proud of what we’re able to do for young people in this community.
“As an organization, we are so much more than child care. We provide affordable care and programming options for families for which cost is never a barrier and that’s incredible.”
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The before- and after-school care program at the Bay County Child and Senior Center has won awards for quality.Bay County Child and Senior Center
A few miles away, at the corner of Marsac and Fremont streets, the Bay County Child and Senior Center is offering a similar program for kids up to 13 years old.
Condon-Watson says transportation is available between some local schools and the center. For students at MacGregor Elementary School, there is no charge. For Washington Elementary School, the fee is $4, less than a ride-sharing service.
What Condon-Watson is especially proud of, though, is how much her program supports the physical, emotional, and educational development of its kids. Those details earned the program high ratings from
Great Start to Quality.
The program satisfies key points working families need.
Care is offered before and after school as well as on snow days for enrolled families. Transportation is available from som local schools.
“Parents don’t have to worry,” Condon-Watson says. “If they have an early-morning work schedule, they can come in the morning before they go to work and drop their child off.”
The before- and after-school program can take as many as 50 kids. Condon-Watson says the program is accepting new families now.
“This used to be an elementary school building, so we have a gymnasium and a playground,” Condon-Watson says. “It’s a gorgeous playground and has a lot of equipment for gross motor development.”
The fee is $6.50 per hour for before- and after-school care. The half-day rate is $24. Families can move between the hourly rate and the half-day rate as needed. The site accepts Michigan Department of Health & Human Services child care assistance too.
Continuity is another benefit. Families don’t need to find a different program during school breaks.
“During the summer months, our morning and after school program becomes a full-day program,” Condon-Watson adds. “We have field trips and activities.”