COUNCIL BLUFFS — Hundreds of area children have lots of company during summer — all year long, in fact.
That's because they're involved in Kids & Company, a program overseen by the Community Education Foundation of Council Bluffs.
The mission of Kids & Company is to provide supervised activities that nurture a child's mental and social development, said Angie Lewis, program director. Children in preschool through fifth grade are eligible for the program.
“We help build life skills and prepare them for getting older,” she said.
This summer, about 200 children are in the program at Walnut Grove Elementary School, and more than 500 usually sign up during the regular school year at 10 different school locations, Lewis said.
Each of the summer months features a particular theme, with different variations of that theme every week, Lewis said. This month's theme is “America the Beautiful,” with the students learning about the country's wilderness, art and other attributes.
Next week, Lewis said, the students will learn about saving the environment. The older youths will take a field trip to Arbor Lodge in Nebraska City, Neb., and the younger children will go to the Council Bluffs Recycling Center for recycling tips.
Each Monday throughout the summer is considered Club Day, where members of different clubs and organizations like Scouts and 4-H teach the students. Other summer activities include swimming trips, museum tours, talent shows and more.
The last summer day of the program is Aug. 13. The regular school program begins Aug. 17 with activities before and after regular classes at the 10 locations, Lewis said.
Two major programs during the school year are Kid Fit, which teaches healthful lifestyle habits, and Character Counts, a class that encourages staff and students to live by six pillars of character. The pillars are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
“It's how to make the right decisions,” Lewis said.
Staff also helps with homework before or after school, she said. The program is convenient for parents because the extra learning opportunities are in the same school their children go to during the day, she said.
“We are always looking at improving our programs,” Lewis said.
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