As the new school year begins, many working parents are faced with the conundrum of what to do with their pre-teen and teenage kids after school.
Whether or not a child stays home alone depends on a variety of factors, including maturity, comfort with being home alone, and how well they get along with their siblings. But because Pennsylvania has no laws that specify how old a child can be home alone, this decision is entirely up to the parents. Kids at that age crave freedom but often need supervision. Thankfully, parents have options.
Link 4 Youth in New Cumberland offers an after-school program for students in grades 4-12 from 3 to 6 p.m. When students arrive, “the first hour is de-stressing,” says Executive Director Saunders Corello. The program offers them a chance to release pent-up energy from a day of learning: climbing rock walls, playing basketball, playing tag around the school building or just sitting and relaxing.
The Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg offers similar after-school activities for kids ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old.
“It's an activity-based program,” said Arnold Taylor, program director and former Harrisburg club member.
Mr Taylor said people often think the club is a school or a nursery but it is neither.
“What we try to do here is help kids come to the Boys & Girls Club, find what they're good at, and then help them develop those strengths and develop their skills,” he said.
Like Link 4 Youth, the club aims to keep kids off the streets and out of trouble after school — or at least, parents don't want their kids scrolling through social media and playing video games all afternoon.
“So parents don't have to worry about where their kids are, if they're safe, if they're in a good place,” Taylor said.
Link takes the fight against mobile scrolling a step further, asking young people to put their phones in a transparent locked box.
“Because the safe is transparent, they can see their phone,” Colello said, “so they have the security of knowing, 'my phone is still there,' but they're not allowed to take their phone in.”
These programs make it easier to get there: The Link provides transportation to West Shore School District schools at no cost. The Boys & Girls Club provides transportation from Harrisburg School District schools and some private schools for $25 a week. The Link 4 Youth has no general program fees. The Boys & Girls Club charges a $20 annual fee, but scholarships are available for costs associated with the program.
Neither program restricts participation geographically.
“If you live in Texas and can make it here today, you're in luck,” Taylor laughed.
B Shop Boys and Girls Club is another small after-school program that focuses primarily on hands-on learning. Joshua Barker founded the Harrisburg-based nonprofit four years ago. Barker said he grew up in a rough neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.
“I understand the importance of kids participating in after-school activities and staying out of trouble,” he said.
Barker, a licensed contractor who employs middle and high school students to renovate buildings for use as low-income housing, will be working on converting an office building into eight apartments.
“What my wife and I want to do is teach our kids life skills, and one of those is skill sets, job training,” he said.
Young people who take part are also given a small allowance.
“The reality is, kids want money,” Barker said. “You can't ignore that fact.”
The shop focuses on students' current situation and future potential.
“This is a safe place to learn, gain knowledge and leave with skills,” Barker said. “With those skills you can go anywhere in the world.”
After kids get physical at Link 4 Youth, formal programming is offered, including an on-site garden, speaker sessions and optional Bible studies. The Boys & Girls Club offers tutoring, career preparation, health and wellness and basic life skills. Taylor said students often pursue sports as a career path, and the club helps them find a Plan “B” and Plan “C.” He says many students aren't aware of all the options available to them.
After-school time can be a relaxing, fun and safe time for students, and for parents who decide their children need more supervision after school, there are programs available at little or no cost to make that happen.
“Our motto is to provide a safe, positive place for kids,” Taylor said.
Link 4 Youth is located at 1120 Drexel Hills Boulevard in New Cumberland. For more information, Learn more.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harrisburg have several locations throughout the city. For more information, Home page.
For more information about B Shop Boys and Girls Club, please contact: bishop_buildingdreams@yahoo.com Or call 717-882-7736.
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