AUSTIN, Texas —
The Boys & Girls Club of the Austin Area is offering free summer camp programs across the city.
The organization hopes the free camp helps parents looking for an affordable way to keep their children engaged over the summer.
It helps students from kindergarten to high school each Monday through Friday at 14 different locations across the Austin area.
"We know it's huge and it's critical, but we also see it as an opportunity and are very humbled by that, you know, our parents are entrusting us with their kids to have a lot of fun," Zenae Campbell, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of the Austin Area, said.
The camp members attend field trips and participate in other activities to make traditional fun summer memories. The organization also offers different STEM, art and educational activities to make sure the students are ready to return to school in the fall.
"One of the things as we work really closely with the local school districts, and what we're hearing from them is that they're looking for kids that are going to be ready, ready to learn and engage on day one," Campbell said. "So, Boys and Girls Clubs wants to be a part of that and helping. We see it as a great opportunity for, again, affordable child care [and a] safe, high-quality experience for the kids."
The summer camps last until Aug. 9, and there's still time to sign up. Parents can register anytime on the organization's website.
The Boys & Girls Club also offers after-school care during the school year. It ranges from free to low-cost, and scholarships are available.
The club will also be organizing a back-to-school bash with school supplies on the first Saturday in August. Donations for that event are accepted.