August is a time of change at Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County (BGCLPC). Team members are reflecting on an exciting summer, while gearing up for a new school year filled with opportunities to serve local children and families.

For the first time in 2023, BGCLPC offered its popular full-day summer camp at two different locations - the Charles R. Westcott Club in Michigan City and the Kesling Intermediate Campus in La Porte. This program was open to children in kindergarten through 8th grades, completely free of charge. BGCLPC served a total of 358 children over seven weeks - a 140% increase from 2022!

In addition to programming that supports Academic Success, Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles, BGCLPC’s summer camps provide Club members with a variety of memorable childhood experiences. 2023 highlights included the following:

· Field trips to the library, movie theater, Luhr Park, local playgrounds and splash pad;

· A visit from a hawk, snake and armadillo through the Washington Park Zoo’s “Zoo to You” program;

· Spirit days in honor of National Boys & Girls Club Week;

· Regular visits from the La Porte County Public Library’s mobile library and mobile STEM classroom;

· Tie-dyeing hundreds of Club shirts - an annual tradition!

· Monthly Member of the Month award ceremonies; and

· Last day celebrations including group photos and epic dance parties.

“It was an unforgettable summer at the Boys & Girls Club,” says Michelle Shirk, BGCLPC Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to have been able to continue our long-running tradition of providing a fantastic summer camp in Michigan City, while also offering an opportunity for many more Club members to join the fun via our La Porte location. Thank you to our Club members, families, team members, school partners and supporters for making this impactful program possible.”

The BGCLPC team is currently in the process of relaunching afterschool programs at eight different Club locations. In keeping with local school schedules, the Pine, Springfield and Westcott Clubs opened for the year on Monday, August 14, while the Brighton Street, Kesling, Lincoln, Westville and Kingsford Heights Clubs start Monday, August 21. Parents and guardians can learn more and begin the registration process here .

BGCLPC eliminated membership fees in 2021 and now funds its programs through grants, special events and donations. Its Phase 2 programming expansion is made possible thanks in part to support from the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte. Financial support for BGCLPC’s 2023 summer camp program was generously provided by Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation, Duneland Health Council, M.C. Ross, Lilly Endowment Inc., American Licorice Company, GAF Roofing and the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office as well as through BGCLPC’s Annual Campaign and Blue Bash.

Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a nationwide affiliation of more than 5,000 autonomous Club organizations. For more information about BGCLPC and its programming, please visit www.bgclpc.org.