With new staff bringing new ideas to the table, the Charger Kids Club child care and enrichment program is receiving more positive feedback.
Charger Kids Club provides a safe, fun, recreational, and enriching program for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, according to Leslie Arnold, school-age childcare coordinator. The on-site supervisor is Jen Hoyhtya.
“We’ve been receiving a lot more positive feedback from parents. Staff really makes a difference,” Arnold said.
During the school year, the club runs from 3 to 6 p.m. at Cokato Elementary. Dassel students are encouraged to come as well, since transportation is provided, Arnold said.
Over the summer months or on non school days during the year, Charger Kids Club runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Activities include computer time, arts and crafts, sports and games, special guests, outdoor and indoor play, field trips, movie days, and homework and quiet time.
The program is designed to meet the needs of working parents year- round, not just during the school year, according to Arnold.
This summer, the club has been using the high school and middle school for a broader range of recreational opportunities including the use of the swimming pool, according to Arnold.
The club is starting its sixth year and there are currently 29 kids enrolled in the program.
“We would like to see it grow,” she said.
This summer, the kids went on several field trips including a recent trip to Summerland in Sauk Rapids, Pump It Up in Plymouth, and Cosmic Bowling in Litchfield.
The staff is trying to provide even more fun activities for the kids so they surveyed the kids to find out what they enjoyed most about the program.
Joe Jerome, 10, likes Charger Kids Club.
“It’s fun and exciting because we get to go swimming,” Jerome said.
Lydia Linkert, 9, enjoys playing around, making projects, and going on field trips.
Recently, Linkert and Kaitlyn Johnson, 9, made their own teddy bears in the club.
Rates are dependent on the number of kids per family, but one child for the after school program is $8 a day, and $22 for non school days.
For more information or to sign up for Charger Kids Club, contact Hoyhtya at (320) 286-4100 ext. 1334.
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