Working parents can rejoice.
The YMCA is helping Wanganui kids make the most of the holidays all sizzling summer long, says Mark Gorman.
Mr Gorman is the managing supervisor of the Jubilee Oscar (Out of School Care and Recreation) Holiday Programme and says he and his team are working hard to help kids play every weekday this summer.
Yesterday morning the team and about 25 kids were fishing from the boardwalk downstream from the Whanganui City Bridge.
The seven-week programme, which can entertain up to 80 children, features a different daily activity in a variety of locations; from their base at the Jubilee Stadium in Springvale Park to hotspots all over Wanganui and beyond. And every Thursday Mr Gorman and his fun-loving team take the sprightly rabble on an excursion out of town.
This week's trip is to the Tairawhiti Museum in Hawera.
Mr Gorman, who lived on the Isle of Man until his Wanganui-born wife brought him to New Zealand two years ago, is really keen for the programme to expand its intake.
"It's a great opportunity for the kids to make the most of summer in Wanganui.
"For a relatively small fee the young ones can take part in all sorts of fun activities, playing, learning and making new friends," he said.
Working parents will really benefit from the programme, knowing their children are occupied with a host of vibrant activities he says.
"Wanganui has a lot to offer children, particularly in the summer, we just help them make the most of it all."
The programme is for 5 to 9-year-olds, runs five days a week during the summer and has a sister scheme for 10 to 13-year-olds called YouthZone; they both continue after school during term time. Mr Gorman says attendance costs between $40 and $50 per child daily.
Kids all going on a summer holiday
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