Boys and Girls Club of Lee County preps STEM-packed summer for kids

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Summer is about to get a whole lot more exciting at the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County.

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From STEM projects to glow-in-the-dark parties, the organization is gearing up for a summer packed with learning, creativity, and fun for kids and teens across Southwest Florida.

The club’s summer programs include sports and recreation, leadership projects, wellness activities, guest speakers and field trips designed to keep students active and engaged while school is out. But one of the newest activities taking center stage this year is 3D printing.

Inside the tech lab at the Park Meadows location in Fort Myers, students are getting hands-on experience designing and creating projects with the help of Knox Technology.

Instructor Derek Kearse said the goal is to make learning fun while introducing students to skills they may have never explored before.

“When we do 3D printing, I make sure each piece does a purpose,” Kearse said. “Like a crane to hold up an egg or a lever to help launch marshmallows. It’s all about learning. Maybe this could inspire someone to become an engineer.”

At the Park Meadows club, campers have access to a technology center, STEM lab, culinary kitchen, game room and teen center. The club operates summer hours from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offers a wide range of educational and recreational programs throughout the summer.

For Club Director Josh Edwards, the summer experience is personal. Edwards once attended the club as a camper himself before eventually becoming the director.

Over the past 11 years, he said, one of the biggest changes has been the growth in opportunities and activities available to students.

“Everything we do here is intentional,” Edwards said, "Everything has a purpose. Like with ping-pong, we can teach sportsmanship and treating others with respect."

The club is also continuing to expand its teen programming. A brand new teen center currently under construction at Park Meadows is expected to open later this year. The space will feature collaborative areas, college and career readiness programs and activities designed specifically for older students.

To help introduce teens to the new space, the club is hosting a “Teen Party” on May 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will include glow-in-the-dark activities, bowling, games and music.

With summer right around the corner, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County is hoping to create a place where students can learn new skills, make friends and maybe even discover a future passion along the way.

The camp starts on June 8th. Click here to find out more.