The Kids Klub at First Presbyterian Church in Shawano is a gathering place for children 5 to 13 years old when they don’t have school.
“When school is open, we’re closed, and when school is closed, we’re open,“ said Kim Kosmalski, program director.
She oversees the staff, and does the office work and billing, lesson and activity planning, and meal planning.
“It’s a program that is there to help the community and families,“ Kosmalski said. “It offers them a safe place to go after school.”
Right now there are two other teachers, but in the summer, more help will be needed. The club’s usual hours are 2:30-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. When there is no school, including snow days, it is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.. When classes are in session for a half a day, it is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The summer hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; when summer school is in session, the hours change to from 1-6 p.m.
“Basically the parents always have somewhere to take their kids,” Kosmalski said.
Kids Klub is licensed to have 25 children at one time, but that rarely happens.
“All the kids have different schedules,” she said. “Many are in sports.”
Kosmalski asks parents for their children’s schedules so they know where they are.
“If they don’t show up, we have to call,” she said. “We want to know their whereabouts and for them to be safe.”
The school bus will bring them from school to the program. After school the kids have a snack, and on full days they get breakfast, lunch and a snack. Food is prepared in the church’s licensed kitchen.
“All the teachers have taken food preparation classes,” Kosmalski said. “In the summer volunteers come in to help cook.”
The cost is $3.50 per hour with a discount for more than one child. Scholarships are given out based on need.
Kids Klub is supported by United Way of Shawano County, getting $2,000 in the past and again this year.
“That helps a lot,” Kosmalski said.
The group also gets a grant from Winnebago Presbytery for $5,000. Members of First Presbyterian Church also donate and provide supplies for the games and activities. The kids have a festive room to do arts and crafts, and go into the gym to play group games.
“On nice days we walk to a park,” Kosmalski said.
They go to the Rec Center to swim and to the library, especially for the library summer programs.
“We always welcome volunteers,” Kosmalski said.
For information, call the church at 715-524-6228.
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