A good solution for Larson kids

The Boys and Girls Club's decision to move the existing Larson clubhouse about a half mile away to North Elementary appears to be a good solution for kids.

Now school-aged children living in the area near the former Larson Air Force Base and Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake will still have a positive place to go during the summer months and after school, according to a front page story in today's Columbia Basin Herald by reporter Tiffany Sukola.

Larson's programs officially start June 17 at North Elementary and club employees will keep their jobs.

The move comes as the organization is building a new clubhouse on Paxson Drive across town, which is expected to be done next year, according to Brant Mayo, the club's executive director.

With the construction of the new clubhouse, community members have wondered what will happen to the Larson clubhouse and what kinds of after-school and summer activities would remain.

Now they know, according to a Tuesday letter written by Mayo to Larson club families and North Elementary School students.

"We are extremely excited for this opportunity to partner with the (grant-funded) 21st Century Program and North Elementary with their outstanding staff and Principal Sydney Richins," wrote Mayo. "This move will allow us to provide more meaningful learning and recreational opportunities, while still focusing on youth development and providing our members a positive place to go during those critical after school hours. It will also allow us to continue to have a presence in the Larson Housing Area for years to come."

A busy state Route 17 and about 5 miles separate the Larson club from the downtown club. This makes it important to have a location for Larson kids within walking distance because they tend to walk to the club.

Kids living closer to the downtown core of Moses Lake and Paxson Drive are geographically closer to the new clubhouse site. So it means they're more likely use the new clubhouse than kids attending the Larson club.

With school winding down, it's important to have a fun place for kids to hang out. Both the downtown and Larson clubs provide character and leadership development, education and career activities, art programs and sports, and fitness and recreation offerings.

The clubs also provide a social outlet for kids and help prevent loneliness and boredom during the summer months when students can't see their friends every day.

Kids meet caring adults and role models they can look up to. They have consistent behavioral rules and expectations set, despite the more relaxed environment of the summer months.

Families can bring their kids to the club for only $20 a year. And the club is also available for caregivers who may just need some help during the summer months.

As we all know, summertime is fun, but presents many unsupervised opportunities for kids who tend to swim, bike, and spend more time outdoors in the warm weather.

We want kids to stay safe during the summer months and know the clubs help achieve this while providing some stability in their lives.

It's difficult to put a price tag on the clubs' services for Moses Lake families. They come from a variety of backgrounds and deal with differing circumstances when it comes to caring for their kids.

From single parents who struggle with finances, to dual parent families who don't have help with childcare, the club is meeting many needs in Moses Lake.

We are so happy a decision was reached that helps kids and provides an efficient use of taxpayer resources.

- Editorial Board