CATO - It's tough enough being a teenager, but it's harder being a teenager in the Cato-Meridian Central School District with no spring sports to keep occupied.
The new Cato-Meridian Community Recreation Center, fortunately, has filled some of the void.
"There's not much for kids to do after school here in the community," said Karen Ladouceur, director of the Cato-Meridian Community Recreation Center.
In April, the children have had their choice of "things to do."
With two after-school programs this year, the recreation center has expanded and will be loaded with activities for third- to eighth-graders.
"The goal of the after-school program is to provide quality programs that will teach new skills as they are introduced to some new sports," Ladouceur said. "We also want to give students an opportunity to learn about themselves and those around them."
Having 70 students last year ranging in ages 7 to 14, and with a limited staff, Ladouceur felt it was necessary to split the program into two. The center hosted children from the third and fourth grades from April 4-14 and will host students from fifth through eighth grades April 25-May 5. And some high school athletes have volunteered their time to help.
"The eighth-graders didn't want to do the same activities as the third-graders and vice versa," said Karen Kalinkowski, C-MCRC after-school supervisor. "Although, we are surprised we've seen more kids sign-up this year."
In fact, compared to last year's 70 students, twice as many have combined to join this year's program but not without good reasons.
"We have more seventh and eighth-graders this year because there are no spring sports at the high school," Ladouceur said. "Usually those kids would be playing on the modified teams."
At this time last year, Cato-Meridian High School sophomore Tim Pierce was playing shortstop and pitcher for the varsity baseball team. This season, although Pierce is frustrated he's not on the diamond, he takes advantage of lending his sports knowledge to the program.
"It is a little disappointing that I won't be able to play; this is a great opportunity to help the kids develop their fundamentals and prepare them for playing these sports in future," Pierce said, who also plays forward for the C-M varsity basketball team.
"I enjoy watching them learn as much as I do playing."
Reid Silverman can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or Reid.Silverman@lee.net
"There's not much for kids to do after school here in the community," said Karen Ladouceur, director of the Cato-Meridian Community Recreation Center.
In April, the children have had their choice of "things to do."
With two after-school programs this year, the recreation center has expanded and will be loaded with activities for third- to eighth-graders.
"The goal of the after-school program is to provide quality programs that will teach new skills as they are introduced to some new sports," Ladouceur said. "We also want to give students an opportunity to learn about themselves and those around them."
Having 70 students last year ranging in ages 7 to 14, and with a limited staff, Ladouceur felt it was necessary to split the program into two. The center hosted children from the third and fourth grades from April 4-14 and will host students from fifth through eighth grades April 25-May 5. And some high school athletes have volunteered their time to help.
"The eighth-graders didn't want to do the same activities as the third-graders and vice versa," said Karen Kalinkowski, C-MCRC after-school supervisor. "Although, we are surprised we've seen more kids sign-up this year."
In fact, compared to last year's 70 students, twice as many have combined to join this year's program but not without good reasons.
"We have more seventh and eighth-graders this year because there are no spring sports at the high school," Ladouceur said. "Usually those kids would be playing on the modified teams."
At this time last year, Cato-Meridian High School sophomore Tim Pierce was playing shortstop and pitcher for the varsity baseball team. This season, although Pierce is frustrated he's not on the diamond, he takes advantage of lending his sports knowledge to the program.
"It is a little disappointing that I won't be able to play; this is a great opportunity to help the kids develop their fundamentals and prepare them for playing these sports in future," Pierce said, who also plays forward for the C-M varsity basketball team.
"I enjoy watching them learn as much as I do playing."
Reid Silverman can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or Reid.Silverman@lee.net
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