At the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown, summer is just as important to children’s academic success as the school year.  Summer learning loss along with the Covid 19 pandemic and the fact that students have had to be resilient in an ever-changing academic environment this past year, has made it more important than ever to keep youth members active and continue learning this summer.

The Boys & Girls Club will welcome all youth going into 1^st – 6^th grades for our summer program which begins on June 1.  We look forward to opening our doors to all elementary-aged youth and increasing our program offerings since the pandemic, all while ensuring numerous Covid 19 safety precautions are met.  Membership forms and orientation will need to be completed prior to any youth member starting services.  The membership fee is just $25 per child and will expire on December 31.

The Boys & Girls Club of Watertown Main Club Site membership includes:

• Hands-on program and activities including gardening, STEM experiments, high-yield learning games, field trips, and outdoor play
• Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are served each day at no additional cost
• Leadership, education, health, art, and recreation programs

The Club environment offers a safe place for youth and features a games room, education center, art room, gymnasium, kitchen, and lunchroom.  While at the Boys & Girls Club, youth will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities to enrich the mind, body, and soul.

So what are some other things you can do to keep your child on track?  Here are five tips to help your child’s mind stay active and healthy, which will help them prepare for the next school year:

1. Daily reading – encourage your children to read every day. Be sure to keep a variety of age-appropriate books and magazines around your home.  Youth may enjoy books from the Club also or be sure to visit the Watertown Regional Library to participate in their summer reading programs.
2. Take a field trip – take a day trip to a park, lake, historic site, museum or festival. Get out there and explore the wonderful things which are right here around us.
3. Stay active – children love to play outside, whether it is time on the swing-set, riding bikes, or an organized Park and Rec activity such as baseball or softball.
4. Do good deeds – teach your child just how good it is to participate in community service. Volunteering at a service agency or helping an elderly neighbor will show them how to take pride in living in the community and helping others.
5. Play games and learn online – have a family game night and build your mind skills with Scrabble, Monopoly, or chess. Make sure this learning is fun.  There are also numerous free online resources with educational games and activities.
6. Routine – develop a guide for your children’s day and ensure they are sleeping well and eating right. Summer should be relaxed, but the structure is helpful also in setting expectations and daily goals.

At the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown, we do whatever it takes to ensure all kids are on a path towards a great future, even in the summer.  To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club, please call 886-6666 or go to bgcofwatertown.com