A look at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club.

Salvation Army offers a summer academic program

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club is working hard to improve the lives of participants.

Instead of staying home watching TV or playing video games, children in the summer program are learning about a variety of subjects, including science, finances, photography and the arts.

“All of it is fun and they also have recreation time where they just get to go out and play,” Sandra Golston, center director, said. “It’s structured so kids are learning and having fun.”

The summer program is completely full, with 45 participants and a waiting list of 23 children.

But come August when the Boys & Girls Club moves from its current location at 1303 Milam to the C.K. Bender Elementary School Building, 2300 Buchanan Road, there will be room for many more children.

“We are really excited,” said Sann Terry, corporate and community relations director for the Salvation Army.

“When we start our new program there on Aug. 21, we’re planning to have between 150 to 175 kids.”

Participation in the Boys & Girls Club does require a $40 annual membership fee and fees to attend each week. The summer program is $50 per week, but once they move to the new location, the cost will drop to $25 a week.

“That includes transportation to get to the Boys & Girls Club, snacks, help with homework and there is also a spiritual component,” Terry said.

The Salvation Army has seen the program impact participants in a positive way.

“Kids that attend the Boys & Girls program are often behind academically either because their parents work and can’t help them with homework or for some other reason they’re home alone. We’ve had an 80 percent increase in grades for kids in the program. Another advantage is they’re supervised properly while their parents are working or gone,” Terry said.

The Salvation Army has several events scheduled where parents can sign children up for the fall program.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 19 at 1303 Milam St., Texarkana, Texas.

From 5:30 to 7 p.m. July 31 at 1303 Milam St., Texarkana, Texas.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 21 at 2300 Buchanan Road, Texarkana, Texas.

Once school starts, the Boys & Girls Club will be open from 2 to 6:30 p.m. for children ages 6 to 14.

Staff photo by Ashley Gardner ■ Children at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club study Money Matters, a program that teaches them about finances and how to budget money. The summer program is a combination of fun learning experiences and recreation time.