Youth Club set to begin fall programming

Times Reporter

 

The Youth Club of Strathmore is going into its fourth year and is offering more programs than ever to the community. The ever-popular chef program is returning, this time with themes for each session. The snack program just ended, but the baking-themed program begins Nov. 13 for kids ages 6-8 and Nov. 14 for the 9-12-year-olds.  

“It takes the stress out of teaching your child at home.  Usually the most frequent opportunity for a child and parent to cook together is at dinner, which can be quite rushed and stressful, as the child wants to help the parent prepare the meal.  Our program has the children learning the same skills in a fun group environment, where everyone works together to create the edible result,” said Colina Clark, program coordinator for the Youth Club of Strathmore.

As a spinoff of the Chef program the Youth Club is now offering a Create A Cook program for kid’ ages 13 to 17. In addition to teaching the kids how to cook, it also teaches them budgeting, meal planning, shopping and nutritional best practices. 

A senior leadership is being offered as a continuation of the junior leadership program. For now the two groups will be blended and once the demand increases they will be split into two different groups. 

After the Bell is another new program being offered. It is a homework program that offers homework assistance, snacks and a recreational activity.  

“It’s currently offered thru pre-registration, Monday to Friday from 3 until 6pm,” said Clark. 

Fantabulous Fridays offers a themed afternoon with a recreational activity on non-school day Fridays for Golden Hills School Division students. The Essential Edibles program is also new. 

“That is our hot lunch program for the local junior and senior high students. We operate on a Tuesday and a Thursday. Our lunch is for sale and we actually also have a voucher system in place through school administration for those who are unable to afford lunch,” said Clark. 

School administration has the vouchers and will determine the students who are in need of them.

“We are very fortunate to have Tina’s No Frills being our main sponsor. She is fantastic and she has been a great support, she’s the backbone basically of a lot of our programs, we’re very fortunate to have her,” said Clark. 

“Luckily with the amount of businesses that we have here that there’s other opportunities for other sponsors and community organizations to join in.”

On Oct. 26 the Youth Club will be hosting a Fright Night dance for youth ages 12 to 17 from 7 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. at the Youth Club centre.

To find out more about new or existing programs either call 403-934-4918 or email info@youthclubofstrathmore.ca. 

The Youth Club, supported by Action Insurance Group, have submitted an idea for $80,000 worth of funding. With the communitys help they can open doors to a higher number of at-risk youth. The club is encouraging everyone to vote by going to http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf14604. The idea number is ACF14604.