Merced organizations offer youth activities during winter break

That time of year has rolled around when family calendars are jam-packed with winter programs, office holiday parties and family gatherings.

What may not be on the calendars is time to shop for Christmas gifts or bake holiday goodies and the usual hubbub that bombards families during the holiday season.

Whatever holiday you celebrate – Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Hmong New Year or even something else – it’s bound to be a busy time of the year.

But within the next couple weeks, there is a large percentage of Merced County residents whose calendars will have some major, and unusual, free space: students.

Schools in Los Banos, McSwain, Merced, Plainsburg, Snelling, Weaver and Winton begin their winter break Friday. Other districts follow suit next week. Districts in Merced County take a two-week winter break, resuming classes either Monday or Tuesday in the new year.

So if students aren’t going to be in school, what will they do during that time?

Q: What is there for students on winter break in Merced to do besides staying at home, indoors and in front of the TV?

A: Let’s not forget that teachers and school staff also have lives outside of school, and they also need a break. So it’s only natural that most school districts aren’t offering any type of special programs or activities during the two weeks of break – or in some cases three weeks.

But what are children supposed to do all day while they’re not at school? Understandably, parents might not like the idea of their children staying home and sitting in front of the TV watching shows and playing video games all day.

And, school staff will be the first to talk about retention loss over breaks. It’s important to keep children engaged and, at the least, active during breaks from school.

Here’s a short list of organizations that are opening their doors to students during the winter break:

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MERCED COUNTY

The Boys & Girls Club, 615 W. 15th St., will offer recreation activities for children ages 6-18 during its Winter Camp.

The club will be open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30.

The Winter Camp will include sports, access to the club’s computer lab, and game room and arts and crafts.

There is a one-time $20 fee that is good for one year.

Club members also have the opportunity to attend a breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. Dec. 23.

McNAMARA YOUTH CENTER

The McNamara Youth Center, at 1040 Canal St., will be open noon to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday during winter break (excluding holidays). The youth center will offer learning activities, arts and crafts, and snacks through a combination of youth programs, organizations and nonprofits.

For more information, call 209-385-6855.

STEPHEN LEONARD PARK

Stephen Leonard Park will be open each day of the winter break (besides holidays) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children can make use of the basketball courts, playground and soccer fields.

MERCED COUNTY LIBRARIES

Merced County Libraries also will be open during the winter break, with locations in Atwater, Delhi, Dos Palos, Gustine, Hilmar, Le Grand, Livingston, Los Banos, Merced, Santa Nella, Snelling and Winton.

Libraries will continue to have their regularly scheduled programs and will be closed on the holidays.

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 3:14 PM with the headline "Merced organizations offer youth activities during winter break."