About Us
The Starke County Youth Club, Inc. (SCYC) exists to provide behavioral guidance and to promote the health, educational, social, recreational, and character development of boys and girls without discrimination. We believe that children deserve a safe, enriching environment with positive role models.
At SCYC all projects build on this mission and concept. We have become mortar that children and families can rely upon to keep their daily lives solid and secure. Our projects include three after-school sites, a summer gardening camp, and a recreational basketball program. The Club environment encourages a life long love of learning.
For us, after-school is a great time to learn and grow. We host programs at least three hours each weekday at locations across the county. Our sites include: Liberty Elementary in North Judson, Oregon-Davis Elementary in Hamlet, and Knox Community Elementary in Knox. Our programs are built to answer the wide variety of needs found in our membership, from safety to academic struggles. Key areas include Education, Enrichment, Recreation and Socialization and Community Service and consist of many activities, such as homework assistance, cultural exposure, fine arts, recreation, information about healthy lifestyle choices, interaction with peers, constructive use of leisure time, commitment to community and service. Children in Starke County in kindergarten through twelfth grade are eligible to join SCYC. The registration fee for SCYC after-school is $10 per child per year. Scholarships are available for families that cannot afford even this modest fee. Our objective is to host accessible, safe programming, to assist families, and to improve academic achievement.
A brief explanation of our key areas:
Education:
Homework Help is mandatory for all children in attendance. This 40-minute session provides a quiet, focused environment in which to complete assigned tasks. Students who do not have day-school assigned work may also choose from a variety of good habit forming activities; reading, writing prompts, math worksheets, and supplemental education activities. A trained staff member and peer volunteers assist children with homework. Older children serve as positive role models, assist with homework questions, and encourage reading for pleasure and an increase in overall literacy. Goals at Homework Help include learning good study habits, goal setting and follow through. An overflow center is provided for students who cannot complete their work in the time allotted. This gives members a smaller student to teacher ratio, and additional assistance with in depth problems. Individual tutoring is available for a limited number of students. This provides intense, one-on-one assistance for members struggling in a specific subject area. Other exciting educational opportunities exist at SCYC. Math, Science and Language Arts are taught in interactive environments every day. Children benefit from active learning in these centers. Projects like Exact Change, Ear Guitar, and Newspaper engage students. This up out of your seat process caters to the way children learn best, by doing!
Enrichment:
We are building future citizens of our community daily. Children need specific assets to succeed: cultural and educationally varied learning, service to others, music, art, drama, or other creative activities. This are just a few of the 40 assets that lead to success as identified by the Search Institute. At SCYC members have the opportunity to explore technology, foreign language, ethnic cuisines, hand arts, character development, nutrition and fine arts. These creative approaches to learning spark creativity and curiosity in our kids. In this way, children can learn without fear of failure, or concern about traditional success markers. Some of the Enrichment projects available at SCYC are Health and Nutrition from the Garden, Technology, Newspaper Staff, Culture In Action, Craft, and Drama.
Recreation:
Get up and get moving! There are currently state and federal initiatives to increase the physical activity of young people. Obesity is a growing risk. Being physically fit impacts the rest of a child’s life. At SCYC there are many opportunities for getting active. Teamwork and constructive use of free time are also goals at Club. Both structured and unstructured activities address the need for children to move and learn. Children who have healthy, interesting alternatives available engage in less risky behaviors. Children can swim, play scooter hockey, basketball, dance, martial arts, or free recess. The possibilities are limitless.
Socialization:
Having a structured social time is important for children to develop the skills to succeed on an interpersonal level. Making friends is a skill set that can be taught! Game rooms, movie nights, talent shows, and dinners encourage the interaction of children with their peers and families. It also provides the opportunity to connect children with their community. These skills: common courtesy, caring, and thoughtfulness, will assist students during their entire life.
Community:
A habit, started early, can have a huge impact. Youth club members learn they can influence their world. With community service, we develop empathetic, generous citizens. We are proud of the ways we give back, like our annual Food Drive, school cleanup, and teacher recognition activities. In 2007 our food drive was especially successful, netting over 550 pounds for the Community Services of Starke County food pantry. There are also guest speakers and Family Fridays. These often introduce children to new vocations, hobbies, and organizations. Movie nights, prevention programs, fun fairs, karaoke and “Fear Factor” have all been successful helping children grow closer to their family and more aware of their community. The Starke County Youth Club serves students and parents in three school based locations answering the need for affordable and accessible care, plus fostering and supporting learning.