Thanks to a program at the Marjorie Snook Family Center, part of the Snook YMCA in Foley, 50 elementary and middle school aged children are safer every afternoon after they get out of school.

These children would be latchkey kids, but they don’t have to go home to an empty house just because their parents work schedule means they won’t be there to meet them when they get off the school bus. 

Instead, these children are picked up from Foley Elementary, Foley Intermediate, Foley Middle and Magnolia School and bussed to the YMCA where they are greeted and cared for by the YMCA staff. The children are allowed to stay at the YMCA until 6 p.m. until their parents can pick them up after work.

Maggie Boudreaux, director of the YMCA in Foley said the programs that are in place for children are a big part of what the YMCA stands for, and are very important to the organization, especially since the Foley YMCA has its highest number of family memberships ever.

“We like having all the kids here,’ she said. “That is what the Y is all about. Things are really starting to take off. I am excited for some of the positives that are happening for the kids.”

Boudreaux also expressed concern for the dangers of young children being left alone after school. In October, the Foley YMCA participated in a national program called Lights on For After School to raise awareness.

“There are so many kids who can’t be part of after school programs like this because their parents don’t have the financial means. A lot of people just don’t realize how dangerous that is. Parents do what they have to do, but we have an affordable program here and it is a safe program for the kids that come here,” said Boudreaux.

According to Boudreaux, the after-school program has always been a part of the YMCA, and in the summer and for school holidays the programs expands into a 12-hour camp. Children can be dropped off as early as 6 a.m. and additional activities including bowling and movie outings are added to the repertoire of activities to keep the children engaged and entertained.

The after school and holiday programs can accommodate up to 60 children, said Boudreaux.

While at the YMCA, children must first finish their homework, but after homework is done the children can participate in a variety of activities that are meant to stimulate their minds and their bodies.

“We involve them in a variety of activities,” said Boudreaux. “They are allowed to swim a few times a week, and we have tutors that come from the South Baldwin Literacy Council.”

The children are also able to participate in other activities as well, including outdoor games, cooking lessons, story time, or spending time in the “Wii room” in the center, which is filled with televisions and video gaming systems including Wii systems and Dance Dance Revolution systems. There is also a computer lab and a library for the older children. The children are allowed to swim two days a week, and have the opportunity to take group classes, like Zumba during the week.

The center is staffed primarily by volunteers, and the newest addition to the team is very athletic and many of the children enjoy heading outdoors to throw a football around or play other games.

“A lot of them actually like to be outside and that is a good thing because they should be out there, and a lot of them really enjoy Zumba,” said Boudreaux. “The boys, of course, are too cool to care about that.”

According to Boudreaux, it is important that the children enjoy their time at the YMCA and get active, but the first priority each day when the children get there is for all homework to be completed. All the other activities are second priority.

“One of the top priorities when they get here is that they get their homework done, so it is something the parents don’t have to worry about when they pick them up,” said Boudreaux.

The YMCA offers a lot more to the younger crowd than just after school care though, and Boudreaux has big plans for the upcoming year as well.

“We have, I feel, a really good lineup for the new year,” said Boudreaux.

There are a variety of classes offered at the YMCA including martial arts and Zumba. Beginning in January, the YMCA will also offer classes from Christina Saunders in ballet, hip-hop and gymnastics. Boudreaux also has plans to implement a children’s cooking class called “Future Chefs” and a program called “The Mad Scientist” which includes science experiments aimed towards children.

Once a month, the YMCA also hosts a kids fun night out, where parents can drop their kids off for a few hours. Tonight the YMCA is hosting an night out.

In January, Boudreaux also hopes to push swim lessons for kids.    

“I am amazed daily at the number of twelve year olds that can’t swim because we are so close to the water,” she said.

The YMCA is also hoping to be able to continue their Kids Getting Fit and Healthy Program, which has had a positive impact on the lives of the 20 children currently involved.

All of the programs at the YMCA except the Kids Getting Fit and Healthy program are only open to members, and many additional classes or programs have a fee in addition to the monthly membership.