A new school year is filled with potential - a chance to start new routines and habits, build new friendships and discover new possibilities and interests. It’s an exciting time for many kids, however, at the end of the school day, 11.3 million kids head to homes where they are unsupervised because the adults in their lives must work, according to Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness organization.

As our area transitions from summer to fall, the Boothbay Region YMCA is offering its after school program, FitKidz, to children in kindergarten through fifth grade throughout Boothbay, Southport, and Edgecomb to keep youth active, busy and engaged during out-of-school time. Through a well-rounded approach to youth development, FitKidz offer activities in a caring and safe environment during the critical hours after school. Whether through being active, mentorship, or academic support, the Y nurtures the potential of youth throughout the school year. After school at the Y is an opportunity for families to ensure their kids are receiving additional support, continued learning and a chance to participate in meaningful activities that can inspire children’s motivations and abilities to succeed.

The Y is a leading nonprofit committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, supporting their social-emotional, cognitive and physical development. In the Boothbay Region YMCA’s after school program, youth receive time with adult mentors to talk and unwind with a healthy snack, help with homework, time to read, field trips around the peninsula, weekly healthy cooking lessons, and active time each week utilizing our pool, field house, track, and gym. Children can also explore other enrichment offerings at the YMCA, with FitKidz staff accompanying them safely to and from programs.

The Boothbay Region YMCA employs Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards in our afterschool program that help build a healthier future for our nation’s children by encouraging healthy eating habits, limiting screen time and providing physical activity to keep every child healthy. We also collaborate with the state-wide program 5210 Let’s Go to further encourage and model healthy living.

FitKidz has new pricing for the 2017-2018 school year. The weekly cost for the program for students at Boothbay Region Elementary and the Southport Central School is $50 per week for Y members and $75 per week for non-members. For Edgecomb Eddy students, the fee is $40 per week for Y members and $60 per week for non-members.

Please visit our table at the region’s Set for Success event on Sunday, Aug. 20 from 1-3 p.m. to get more information or to enroll. Enrollment forms may also be found at www.boothbayregionymca.org.

For more information about the FitKidz afterschool program, please contact Amy Henderson, Director of Child Enrichment and Family Services, at ahenderson@brymca.org.