Summertime - and enrolling in Kidscape at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield - is easy. For parents seeking an enriching summer program for children ages 5-12, Kidscape offers a variety of learning and recreational experiences. For caregivers who are interested in a well-rounded summer program, now is the time to plan and enroll your child in Kidscape.
The program starts June 20 and is offered Monday - Friday until August 25. Each day begins at 8:30AM and ends at 5:30PM. Early drop is available between 7:30AM - 8:30AM. Kidscape offers programs in technology, the arts, outdoor and gym activities – each scheduled in 40-minute increments during the day.
For kids who enjoy reading, they can spend 15 minutes a day in the Education Room, where they read anything that interests them. This opportunity helps to ensure that reading skills don’t lag during the summer, according to Kellie Brown, Chief Operating Officer. For the remaining 25 minutes, a child spends in the Education Room, a STEM curriculum is offered, Kellie said. The STEM program leads into technology, which can be as simple as teaching children how to use a keyboard or more advanced like a Lego-driven robotics program.
The Social Recreation component of each day brings kids together to learn team-building skills through playing board games and participating in group activities such as pool and polypong – a game that is a combination of Four Square and Ping-pong. Then there are weekly field trips to children’s museums, art museums, and other places that add to each child’s experience at Kidscape. Adventures that take place at the Boys and Girls Club include Mad Science and Zoo on the Go.
In addition to the other activities, all summer program attendees can swim in the facility’s newly renovated indoor pool. For each activity or program, children are grouped by age. On average, more than 300 children attend Kidscape at any given time during the summer, and they can come for any length of time – from one or two weeks or the entire summer, Kellie said. Parents pay a weekly fee of $235.
Breakfast, lunch, and the cost of field trips are included in the weekly fee. Kellie said that Seven Hills Vouchers are accepted for the cost of Kidscape and financial assistance is also available. During the summer the Boys and Girls Club also offers a food program that addresses food insecurity. The program services 10 local sites, which are listed on the Boys and Girls Club website. All meals are prepared at the Boys and Girls Club and meet USDA guidelines. The meals are offered free of charge to children ages 2-18. On Fridays, the children get not only the meal of the day, but also a Weekend Backpack which includes two breakfasts and two lunches.
For more information on Kidscape or to register your child, visit the BCG website.
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield
28 West Silver St.
Westfield
(413) 562-2301
bcgwestfield.org