MILTON — The City Council approved spending up to $20,000 to fund the Camp Fire Milton Interaction Club for two eight-week sessions starting Jan. 16 ending June 1.
Now, the Camp Fire organization just needs people to help lead the program.
The Milton program seeks an on-site coordinator and an assistant director. Contact Tammy Byrer, the Santa Rosa district director for Camp Fire Gulf Wind Inc., at tbyrer@cfgulfwind.org or 564-1649 for more information.
The Camp Fire program serves unaccompanied youths who would hang around the Guy Thompson Community Center after school.
City Manager Brian Watkins last week said he spoke with Santa Rosa Superintendent of Schools Tim Wyrosdick about the school district’s involvement with the afterschool program.
“I think we might be able to do this (program) at King Middle School,” Watkins said. “In which case, the rent would go away, we might be able to use their computer lab, in which case there would be no need to buy computers. I think we can bring it in at a lower cost than ($20,000).”
Discussions with the school district are ongoing, according to Byrer.
Councilwoman Mary Ellen Johnson said the program, which is geared toward middle school children, could offer beneficial services such as tutoring or field trips. Previously, Byrer said the program helps students boost their communication skills and improve problem-solving skills, and facilitates hands-on workshops and guest speakers.
“The thing we have noticed at the Guy Thompson Community Center — not all of the students there like sports,” Johnson said at the meeting. “There are other activities they would also be involved in.”
The $20,000 worth of funding would not be a recurring cost, according to Johnson.
“As we are going through those two sessions, Camp Fire will search for other grants to help out,” she said.
Depending on the initial run, Watkins said the Camp Fire program could offer their services during the summer as well as returning in the following fall. Bryer said she is working toward seeking grant funding to expand the program, along with making it available to more students.
The initial 16-week program will serve 30 students, Byrer said. She said the program would offer 12 hours a week: three hours a day for four days a week.
Parents can register their kids at campfirekids.com; students will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Camp Fire program seeks assistance