All about the kids

Suzie Harrison

It’s ski week for Laguna Beach students, but for those who won’t be

heading to the slopes there’s still plenty of enjoyment to go around

at the Boys & Girls Club.

For more than 30 years, the Boys & Girls Club has been providing a

community place for Laguna’s kids to get involved in sports, learn

computers or receive tutoring among many of the options available for

students year round.

With the upcoming $3-million renovation, there will be more space,

upgraded programs and equipment and a new education and technology

center among other improvements.

Joe Derichsweiler has been the director of operations for almost

10 years and he believes the club to be a great resource for local

children.

On Tuesday students were enjoying their week off school and about

20 of them were preparing for the Patriot’s Day Parade.

“We’re doing a big thank you to the community for helping us raise

money for our new facility,” Derichsweiler said.

Derichsweiler said the club has plenty to meet the needs of

Laguna’s youth including a computer room, gymnasium and art center.

“The Share family center offers counseling for families and people

to donate clothes to families in need,” he said.

While school is in session the Learning Center is open from 2:30

to 5:30 p.m., the students are required to do homework the first hour

they are there.

“We do a program called power hour, which usually lasts longer,”

said education and technology director Ron Tetirick. “It provides

after school homework help, tutoring and homework help to the kids

grades first through sixth.”

Workers at the center help with research projects on the Internet

and have a resource library.

The Teen Center is a popular place to study and socialize for kids

in sixth grade and older.

“We polled the teens and they wanted a place that was separate

with its own entrance,” Derichsweiler said. “They have their own

computers, restrooms and they can get involved in activities here or

with the younger students.”

Will Robinson is the director and he said that there are usually

about 30 to 40 kids a day in the center after school with about 16

high school students. They are required to do homework from 3:30 to

4:30 p.m.

“I like coming here, I can do math, social studies and language

arts, and it gives us enough time to do it all and play Nintendo,”

Alex Saski, 11, said.

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach is going to announce this

week whether they have made their $3.3-million fund-raising goal for

the new center. The club is at 1085 Laguna Canyon Road. Information:

494-2535.