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To prevent children from going stir crazy this winter break, Hanover Township is gearing up to begin its yearly open gym program.
School District U-46 breaks for the holidays at the end of the day Friday, Dec. 17.
Hanover Township is making sure the students have a safe and fun place to congregate while they’re out of school for the next two weeks, said township outreach services coordinator Deanna Aister.
Aister said the program has been in effect since 1995 and originally was created as a gang prevention initiative. It since has evolved from an after-school program to now being offered during the winter as well.
“It is designed so kids can come socialize and play games in a safe environment,” she said. “We get a lot of our old participants that come back over break that catch up with their friends from other schools.”
Youths who attend the free program can participate in basketball, soccer, dodgeball, arts, crafts and board games.
Aister added that educational activities also will be available including drug and alcohol prevention discussions by Elgin-based Renz Counseling Center.
Open gym will be offered at four locations within Hanover Township’s jurisdiction.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for kids to attend during their holiday break to work out a little cabin fever,” said Hanover Township Supervisor Brian McGuire, who said he has a son in the program. “It’s grown to be one of our most attended programs, and it’s really exciting to see the benefits of that.”
If you go
WHAT Hanover Township’s open gym
WHEN Noon to 4 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 20 at Bartlett Elementary School, 111 North Ave., Door 6, Bartlett, for ages 5 to 14
- Tuesday, Dec. 21 at Laurel Hill Elementary, 1750 Laurel Ave., Hanover Park, for ages 5 to 14
- Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Eastside Recreation Center, 1080 E. Chicago St., Elgin, for ages 5 to 16
- Wednesday, Dec. 29, at Teft Middle School, 1100 Shirley Ave., Streamwood, for ages 7 to 18
INFO (630) 483-5799
To prevent children from going stir crazy this winter break, Hanover Township is gearing up to begin its yearly open gym program.
School District U-46 breaks for the holidays at the end of the day Friday, Dec. 17.
Hanover Township is making sure the students have a safe and fun place to congregate while they’re out of school for the next two weeks, said township outreach services coordinator Deanna Aister.
Aister said the program has been in effect since 1995 and originally was created as a gang prevention initiative. It since has evolved from an after-school program to now being offered during the winter as well.
“It is designed so kids can come socialize and play games in a safe environment,” she said. “We get a lot of our old participants that come back over break that catch up with their friends from other schools.”
Youths who attend the free program can participate in basketball, soccer, dodgeball, arts, crafts and board games.
Aister added that educational activities also will be available including drug and alcohol prevention discussions by Elgin-based Renz Counseling Center.
Open gym will be offered at four locations within Hanover Township’s jurisdiction.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for kids to attend during their holiday break to work out a little cabin fever,” said Hanover Township Supervisor Brian McGuire, who said he has a son in the program. “It’s grown to be one of our most attended programs, and it’s really exciting to see the benefits of that.”
If you go
WHAT Hanover Township’s open gym
WHEN Noon to 4 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 20 at Bartlett Elementary School, 111 North Ave., Door 6, Bartlett, for ages 5 to 14
- Tuesday, Dec. 21 at Laurel Hill Elementary, 1750 Laurel Ave., Hanover Park, for ages 5 to 14
- Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Eastside Recreation Center, 1080 E. Chicago St., Elgin, for ages 5 to 16
- Wednesday, Dec. 29, at Teft Middle School, 1100 Shirley Ave., Streamwood, for ages 7 to 18
INFO (630) 483-5799
