After-school program expands activities

Published 1:35 pm Monday, August 19, 2019

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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Chilton County Children’s Club is adding four programs to its after-school offerings.

Students in grades third through seventh can now select unicycle, tennis, cooking or basketball as one of their activities.

The Club is a partnership between the YMCA of Chilton County and Clanton Elementary School but is open to all students in preschool to seventh grade.

YMCA director Lori Patterson said students choose their top two activities, and the staff tries to get them in both. Students will stay with the same activities for the semester.

“We used some of the extracurricular activities that we did in summer camp that they seemed to be very interested in,” Patterson said.

Pam Kooms will lead the unicycle class, focusing on balance and the basics. Liz Doonan will teach cooking using natural ingredients and simple recipes for snacks and meals.

Preston Smith will lead the basketball class.

“Our boys love basketball,” Patterson said. “This is more just an opportunity for them to learn real rules and how to really play the game, not just shooting back and forth with one another.”

The tennis class will have a similar focus and be taught by David McCary.

Guitar and archery will be offered again this year.

Although school has started, it is not too late to sign up. Application forms are available at the YMCA or at Clanton Elementary School.

Each day, the CCCC students start at CES with a snack, followed by an academic time to ensure students do their homework. Those who chose programs offered at the Y are then transported there. Parents can pick up their children at 5:30 p.m. in the Track 1 program ($70 per month) or at 6:30 p.m. in the Track 2 program ($85 per month).

Last year, 300 students registered for the after-school program with an average of 250 attending each day.

The YMCA has received 315 registrations so far this school year.