Community organizations preparing for increase in students over summer

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - As kids count down the final days before summer, local organizations are preparing to launch their summer programs. The Boys and Girls Club of Decatur is one of a few groups that offer all-day care over the summer months.

The organization is preparing to welcome more than 100 school-aged kids in their doors this summer. Their daily schedule blends education, developing social skills and fun.

"The summer learning slide is real, and we love to be able to reinforce what happens during the school day over the summer," said Britney Harris, CEO and executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Decatur. "We have them read books, do sports, and then we feed the kids breakfast, lunch and a snack daily."

Harris said the summer can be difficult for working parents when they have to find full-time care for their kids. Without good options for care, teens and children may be left without any productive options for the summer months.

"We don't want them getting into things that they don't need to be getting into," Harris said. "So creating those spaces, those opportunities for them to go to camps and to go to specialized programs within our community helps build our community up ... the kids are often way in the future and so we need them to have what they need to be successful."

While families do have to pay for the programs at the Boys and Girls Club, they try to connect with local sponsors and other groups to assist families who need it. They plan to open up registration for their summer programs in early May.

For more information on the Boys and Girls Club of Decatur, you can visit their website.