The coronavirus pandemic is forcing the Boys & Girls Club in Cherokee Co., S.C. to get creative and the counselors are up for the challenge. Until school starts back, the organization is providing the perfect “Summer Survival Kit.”
The kits are aimed at serving kids from first to fifth grade in the Cherokee and Spartanburg County area. The book bags contain items to help keep the children’s minds sharp and their bodies fit. President of the Boys & Girls Club of the Upstate, Greg Tolbert, explains the purpose behind the kits. “You want to keep kids busy, active, learning,” Tolbert said while talking to 7 News. “The summer club survival kit covers leadership, education, arts, and fitness.”
While the virus may prevent the club from gathering, Greg Tolbert says the pandemic won’t stand in the way of their mission. “Inspire and enable all young people–especially those who need us most–to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens,” Tolbert said.
More From the Boys & Girls Club Counselors
Art teacher Susan McKinney hopes to give the children the opportunity to be creative while in quarantine. “We know all kids don’t have markers and paint and all of this stuff,” McKinney said. “So, we’re sending all of the supplies to them so they can make stuff at home and be creative.”
Many of the counselors work with the students on a daily basis. Boys & Girls Club counselor Tyler Dillard explains the difficulty in not interacting with the children of the club due to the virus. “I’m so used to interacting with them on a daily basis; and, since the quarantine, we haven’t had the chance to interact with them or speak with them or anything, so it’s been pretty hard,” Dillard said.
The Boys & Girls Club encourages the children’s parents to get involved in the activities. “Spend quality time developing your young person,” Tolbert said. “This is the way you can do it.”
To learn more about the Boys & Girls Summer Program, go here.
[H/T 7 News]
