Celebrating its 10th year in the “K” Street Club and 45 years of serving youth, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming (BGCCW) is seeing record numbers of kids taking advantage of the services available at the five sites around Natrona and Converse Counties.

In the first four weeks of summer programming, the Club has seen an increase of more than 100 members, putting the average daily attendance to 456 kids.  During June, July, and August, families have the convenience of four sites in the Casper area – Evansville Elementary, Paradise Valley Elementary, Mills Elementary, and the Main Club – and one site in Glenrock.

The Club offers a positive, safe environment for kids all year long. Specifically during the summer months, it can offer quality enrichment opportunities that help prevent the summer learning loss. A National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) report indicated that students that don’t actively use math and reading skills during their summer break can lose the equivalent of one to three months of classroom time. In addition, the NSLA cited research from Duke University that said summer learning loss hits harder for those who come from economically disadvantaged families.

As part of the “Formula for Impact,” the Boys & Girls Clubs lays out purposeful plans to attain positive outcomes in three core areas: Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. Summer programming is planned around keeping the members active both physically and mentally. Daily field trips and activities take the kids to museums, local businesses to discover different career opportunities, and provide hands-on lessons for children. Physical fitness is a major component of programming with yoga, swimming, roller skating, and many other organized sports. In addition, through a partnership with the Natrona County School District, each Club site provides free healthy lunches and snacks, not only to the members but any child who may need it.

By providing affordable programming, parents can feel good knowing their children are receiving a boost during the summer months that can mean a better start to the school year and a brighter vision for their future.