Taking an after school LEAP

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

Every day after school a bus pulls up in front of the Crossroads Christian Fellowship and somewhere between 50 and 75 kids spill out, having the well-organized run of the church for the next two-and-a-half hours.

The kids are coming for LEAP — Leadership, Education, Athletics, Partnership — an after-school program for kids in kindergarten through the sixth grade. Now in its third year, the program helps kids with homework, provides activities focusing on science, art and other skills and gives kids the opportunity to get involved with gymnastics.

The program depends heavily on volunteers, and Program Director Cathy Gaiser said this year 24 members of the Bigfork community have stepped up to help in some fashion or other.

"Bigfork has been incredibly supportive," Gaiser said.

Last Thursday, the kids split into groups by ages to tackle molecule construction (toothpicks and peas), a bevy of art projects and — for leadership — older kids reading to younger ones.

"It's about engaging with the little guys," Gaiser told the fifth and sixth graders tasked with reading to the younger crowd. But considering the crowd, she gave an obligatory note of caution: "Keep it down and don't be crazy."

Gaiser said gymnastics takes place Monday through Wednesday each week.

Fees for the program are $75 per month, along with a one-time transportation fee of $40 when a child is registered. The latter fee helps offset the cost of operating the school bus, which LEAP bought this year.

Children who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program at school can attend the program for free, however, thanks to a federal grant that helps fund LEAP.

"Our goal is that every child has access regardless of their ability to pay," Gaiser said.

Last year, about 200 kids were registered for and went through the program at some point or other. And though LEAP is designed for K-6 kids, Gaiser said junior high and high school kids are regular volunteers.

Though much of the funding comes from grants, Gaiser said each June LEAP holds a fundraiser, which this year brought in $5,000 for student scholarships. An additional $5,000 has come in since the event, she said.

The program, which Gaiser stressed "is not a daycare," has garnered some attention around the state for both its success in community involvement and organization.

Gaiser was invited to give a presentation on the program's "community assets" at a yearly conference held for after school program advisors in Helena put on by the Office of Public Instruction this summer.

"We're the strongest in the state when it comes to community support," she said.

And why shouldn't they be. The kids certainly seem to love it.

"We always have one or two crying," Gaiser said, " because their parents come to pick them up too early and they don't want to go home."

To register for the program, stop by Crossroads Church between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or for more information call 837-LEAP.