Summer Rec programming moves to Boys & Girls Club

Flandreau’s Summer Rec program will look familiar this year — but it will be run by someone new.
Following the departure of the program’s former director and with no applicants stepping forward to fill the role, City Administrator Cohl Turnquist recently began discussions with the Boys and Girls Club of Moody County about taking over day-to-day operations.
After a brief discussion at this past week’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting, council members and Club officials agreed to allow the Club to manage the program beginning this summer.
Boys and Girls Club Recreation Program Unit Director Keilani Klimczuk said the shift makes sense, as many children already participate in both programs.
“A majority of the kiddos going to the programs are also Boys and Girls Club and it’ll just help with organization for myself during the summer when we’re going here and there and back and forth …to make it all just in one spot.”
Existing programs are expected to remain largely the same, with strong attendance and experienced leaders continuing to run activities. The difference, officials said, is added structure and staffing support through the Club, along with streamlined registration and supervision throughout the day.
City officials noted the move could also make participation easier for working parents, as children will have a consistent place to go before and after scheduled activities.
The City currently allocates about $12,000 annually for summer recreation, with roughly $7,000 collected through registrations, leaving an average $5,000 operating deficit. Under the agreement, the City will provide the Club with a $5,000 subsidy for the first year and transfer existing program equipment.
Additional details are expected to be finalized this spring.
Jody Hernandez, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Plains, was also present at last week’s meeting to provide an update on the Club’s Early Childhood Center, which is nearing completion and slated to open this spring. Plans are also underway for a community baby shower to help celebrate the launch. More details will be featured in a future edition of the Moody County Enterprise.