Boys & Girls Club of Ozark-Southeast Alabama Brings New Experiences to its Summer Programs

Ozark families can enroll their kids in eight weeks of fun, activities, and interactive learning experiences at the Boys & Girls Club of Ozark-Southeast Alabama. Enrollment for the entire summer costs $400 and includes two shirts, as well as breakfast and lunch every day.

“Kids can arrive as early as 7:30 AM, and we stay open until 6 PM from Monday through Friday,” says Jessica Moore, Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Ozark-Southeast Alabama. “Our long hours let parents go to work with time to run errands afterward. They can enjoy peace of mind knowing their kids are in a safe place during the day.”

The Boys and Girls Club can accommodate 225 kids in grades K-5 and 50 teens in grades 6-12. Enrollment fills up fast when it opens in March, and the Club has a waiting list each summer, though it does its best to work through it.

This is a tremendous childcare and educational resource in Dale County. Explore the Boys and Girls Club to see how it prepares kids and teens for success through summer fun. 

The Boys and Girls Club is Focused on Literacy this Summer 

While the programming at the Boys and Girls Club feels more like summer camp than summer school, kids engage with learning materials to grow their reading and math skills. The programs this summer are designed to help kids catch up if they are behind on reading, or prevent the notorious “summer slide.”

Students take assessments at the start and end of the summer, with weekly check-ins to monitor their progress. The instructors at the Boys and Girls Club lead a variety of learning initiatives, including a visit from Alabama’s Literacy Mascot, SHORT the Squirrel. SHORT arrived to kick off the summer reading programs earlier this year and will return at the end of eight weeks to award students who are most improved or the most voracious readers.  

“We try to make our programming a lot of fun,” says Moore. “We do hands-on activities, have learning-based computer games, and can tailor materials to different levels.”

Ozark’s Boys and Girls Club is bringing back the Coaching A Better Reader program, where parents join their kids at 5 PM to learn how to help them develop reading skills.

Many of the Boys and Girls Club programs are developed in partnership with Ozark City Schools. “We really value our partnership with the school system and want to be a resource for them,” says Moore. 

Diverse Programming Makes Each Day Fun

While the summer programs at the Boys and Girls Club focus on reading and math, there’s plenty of time for other activities. Kids rotate rooms every hour, and the calendar is packed with parades, games, affordable field trips, and special guests. Kids can also receive transportation to local churches to participate in Vacation Bible School if their parents choose to enroll them.

The Boys and Girls Club also teaches healthy habits, offers counseling services to those who need them, and helps kids build life skills. It has partnered with All In Credit Union to offer a Financial Literacy Workshop and works with the Michael Phelps Foundation to teach swim lessons.

Kids have the freedom to choose their interests, whether they participate in sports or learn to play piano or guitar. They have the space and freedom to follow what excites them.

“If it weren’t for us, the kids might not be exposed to these things,” says Moore. “It’s a joy to come to work each day because it doesn't feel like work. We get attached to our kids and their families.” 

Teen Programs Introduce New Experiences and Opportunities

A few years ago, the Boys and Girls Club opened a teen center to support families with older kids. The center has a podcasting program and a music recording studio, along with unique outdoor programs focused on gardening, woodworking, and even beekeeping.

“We had to think outside the box and identify programs that could get teens outside,” says Moore. The beekeeping program is led by a staff member who keeps an apiary in their spare time and is funded through a grant from the Wiregrass Foundation.

When teens turn 16, they can enter the workforce training program through the Boys and Girls Club. Here, they receive training in one of nine trades, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and construction. By the end of the summer, they can get OSHA certification and complete other certifications to bring them closer to employment. The Boys and Girls Club will also work to connect them with local employers so they might get an apprenticeship.

Even younger kids can build their workforce development and entrepreneurial skills. Junior Leaders can work at the Kidz Cafe selling snacks to their peers. During their time at the cafe, kids learn how to take inventory, manage a till, and complete transactions. They even have to interview to work at the Kidz Cafe, giving them real-life experience with the job application process. 

The Boys and Girls Club Supports Life in Dale County 

The Boys and Girls Club plays an important role in economic development by providing a safe place for kids to go during the summer, even offering dinner to kids who need it. Parents can stay in the workforce and know their kids are safe during the day. This organization also supports the quality of life in Ozark by giving kids new experiences, preparing them for school, and building life skills.

Learn more about the quality of life in Dale County and why people choose to live here. See your family’s future in Ozark and its surrounding communities and feel welcome amongst your neighbors. Contact the Ozark-Dale Economic Development Corporation to learn more.