Boys & Girls Club serves families

Offering a safe place for children after school, the Pea Ridge Boys & Girls Club after-school program is a fun place for children. This past week, the children tossed eggs, had a balloon race and were involved in a variety of other games Friday as part of their Easter party.

“Our club is more than a club,” Kayla Bangs, onsite director, said. “It’s like a second family for our club kids, our staff members and for me.

“Watching our club kids grow everyday as individuals is an inspiring thing to witness each day. I would consider each club kid as my own.”

The club is open from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. after school in the gym at the Intermediate School for children from 6 years of age to fifth grade.

Currently, the club is involved in registering children for the summer program. To sign up children, parents need to contact the McKinney Unit of the Boys & Girls Club in Bentonville at (479) 273-7187.

There are two sessions going in the summer; the cost is $100 per session. The first session runs June 5-30 and the second runs July 10 through Aug. 4. The Pea Ridge club will be closed July 3-7 and the week after Aug. 4 which is the week before Pea Ridge schools start. Hours for the summer sessions are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The summer sessions will be held in the Primary School on Weston Street.

Currently, there are no more hired staff position openings but community volunteers are welcome.

“We are always looking for volunteers within the community who are great role models to help out our kids and to get them more involved within our community,” Bangs said.

“Our club is more than a daycare or after school program.

“Our mission is to teach the kids about leadership, character, integrity, and how to be everyday citizens within our community. We try to create a safe, educational, engaging, and fun environment for our kids,” Bangs concluded.