BGC of Wolf Creek — Lacombe has certainly struck a chord with local residents, as demand for the organization's services continues to grow, staff say.
"Our programs are doing really, really well in Lacombe," said Beth Reitz, executive director of Ponoka Youth Centre/BGC Wolf Creek which oversees the Lacombe operation.
Add to that the completion of a very active and successful summer season.
"We were full every day," Reitz said, referring to the summer camp program. "We had a 95 per cent capacity - 45 kids (per day) was our maximum.
"We had 1,634 visits - just in those two months - they did everything from field trips across Central Alberta to lots of activities around Lacombe. They also had two sports weeks, too - we had sports groups from all over Red Deer and Lacombe come to teach a range of sports from baseball and soccer to football and Lacrosse," she explained. "So we are excited to see where this goes next summer as well, and we can grow it even more."
BGC of Wolf Creek - Lacombe (formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club). was launched in the city back in 2022.
Looking ahead, as the temperatures dip, fall programming is of course in full swing.
"We are running the tutoring program for teenagers - Grades seven through 12," said Reitz. "We are having really great attendance with that program as well - it runs Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Lacombe Memorial Centre. Hopefully, in January, we are also going to expand youth programming by going to Wednesdays as well, and start some youth leadership (trainiing), too," she said.
There are a variety of programs through Boys and Girls Club along these lines, ranging from focusing on mental health to relationship-building to giving back to one's community, she said.
"We run them all in Ponoka, but we need to find how it would all work out in Lacombe," she explained. "So that is in the works. We also have our biggest annual fundraiser coming up which is Santa's Bids for Kids. It's an online auction, and it runs Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.
"We go around in our communities (Ponoka, Lacombe, and Rimbey) and ask local businesses to donate items, which then go up for auction. We have everything from WestJet tickets to pizza," she added. "Our goal is to raise at least $5,000 in Lacombe (proceeds raised in each community stay in that particular community).
"We've had really good results with this in the past. Last year was the first year in Lacombe, and we did a couple thousand dollars."
Meanwhile, after-school programs continue to run at Ecole Lacombe Upper Elementary School and at Terrace Ridge Elementary School. These programs provide kids with lots of fun activities, indoor and outdoor play, and snacks, too.
"Both of these programs have really high numbers, so things are really taking off - which is so good to see," said Reitz.
They run Monday through Friday from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. and is for youth from Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Another program available in Lacombe is the School’s Out Day Program which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the school year and includes life-skills instruction, leadership training, recreation, field trips, and other activities on Professional Development days, school breaks and ‘in lieu’ days for schools.
Lacombe's program manager Lily Raugust joined the organization two month's back, and one of her key goals is to continue to spread the word about all the services offered via BGC Wolf Creek - Lacombe, she said.
"Everyday is something different. It's never the same! The themes of each day are different, and that is where it differs from a daycare program," she said, referring to her own past experience.
"Our educators here are phenomenal - we have such a good team in Lacombe. They put so much work into having the success and building these relationships with the children.
"I'm really looking forward to learning all that I can."
For further information, find BGC Wolf Creek - Lacombe on Facebook, email lacombe@bgcwolfcreek.com or call 403-704-4216.
