The new Boys & Girls Club of Carson Valley, currently at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, gives children between the ages of 5 and 19 something constructive to do after school.
"When kids don't have anything to do, they get in trouble," said Pau-Wa-Lu Principal Keith Lewis.
Club founder JoJo Townsell said the club has 314 registered members and an average daily attendance of 82 students.
"Our community, as a whole, is unaware that a Boys & Girls Club is open to service our children," said Townsell. "It provides a safe and supervised place for our kids to enjoy."
Townsell said transportation has been set up from the Valley's elementary schools to Pau-Wa-Lu.
"We are thankful that the Douglas County School District and the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada has helped us arrange after school bus transportation," said Townsell. "Currently, only 50 members are utilizing this service. We hope that this number will increase because our club has much to offer."
Eighteen-year-old Jeff Cummins is one of the club's staff members working at Pau-Wa-Lu and oversees a wide variety of activities.
"I enjoy working with the kids. I have 10 or so family members I get to see on a regular basis," said Cummins.
Cummins said seventh-graders and up get to hang out in the teen center behind the stage in Pau-Wa-Lu's auditorium. He said these students get to play video games and air hockey but also help younger students who typically hang out in the main auditorium.
Pau-Wa-Lu ninth-grader Mary Coker tutors elementary students, helping them with their homework.
"It's great to watch these kids learn, so they can go onto high school and graduate," said Coker.
Coker said she also loves to get the kids outside and play sports and games when the weather permits.
Carson Valley Middle School seventh-grader Joseph Porter runs a snack counter one hour a week.
"I'm learning how to fill out applications, sell and count money," Porter said.
