Boys & Girls Club announces new after-school program in Gentry

GENTRY — The Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County has announced the opening of a pilot after-school program for children in grades kindergarten through grade six on Oct. 3, at the Gentry Primary School.

The after-school program will run daily from 3 to 6 p.m. Children must be registered to participate in the program. The cost is $20 per student, per semester.

An open house is slated for Monday, Sept. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Gentry Primary School, where parents may sign up children for the program and meet Boys & Girls Club staff. Parents may also sign up their children online at www.bgcwbc.org (indicating Gentry’s after-school program) and pay with a debit or credit card, or they may sign up children in person at the Boys & Girls Club in Siloam Springs, located at 655 Heritage Court (open between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily). Registration is currently limited to 75 openings.

“Because of the partnership between the Boys & Girls Club, Gentry Public Schools and the United Way of Gentry, students in grades K-6 in the Gentry Schools will have an opportunity to participate in an outstanding after- school program that will focus on the areas of academic success, character, leadership and healthy lifestyles,” said Chris Shimer, chief professional officer.

The Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County, founded in 1997, operates programs along Arkansas Highway 59 in Siloam Springs, Decatur and Gravette. The Boys & Girls Club serves approximately 1,600 children in annual membership and another 1,000 through community outreach throughout the year. For more information, please contact the Boys & Girls Club at 479524-4174 or at club@bgcwbc.org.