BETHEL —  Director Amy Connell has a shed full of sleds and skis at Crescent Park School for the children in the Mahoosuc Kids Association after-school program. Recently a grant landed them 30 pairs of ice skates and helmets, too.

Over 100 kindergarteners to fifth graders are enrolled in MKA after-school program at Crescent Park School; another 15 attend MKA at Woodstock Elementary School. Assistant Director Andrea Howe runs the Woodstock program; while Assistant Director Jenn Evans is in charge at CPS.

The eight-week Summer Adventure program headquartered at CPS begins in late June and ends in August. A typical summer day starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. with some children starting earlier or staying later.

On Wednesdays they head out on field trips, to the Portland Children’s Museum, a Cape Elizabeth beach, the Portland Sea Dogs or the Maine Wildlife Park. They have a garden behind the school and swim nearly everyday.

Connell has been at the helm for nearly three years of the program’s 23-year existence.

Funding

Funding the program comes from enrollment and enrichment programming payments. Connell writes grants and receives some private donations. Bethel Area Rotary, is a huge supporter of the program, too, said Connell, who also credits Julie Hart — one of her predecessors — as a fiscally responsible leader.

Barb Russell, retired gym teacher, heads the eight people on the board of directors.

Connell said the money is tighter since COVID and she worries about the bottom line. When recruiting her 8-10 staffers she said she is not competing with other child care programs but instead with Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s and Burger King. “Those corporations can afford to pay kids $19-$20 bucks an hour,” she said.

Their after-school program is licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services and has been re-accredited, too, through the Council on Accreditation. She said the accreditation is helpful for obtaining grants and helps parents get a larger refund on their taxes.

Collaboration

Because of the bus driver shortage, during the school year they are limited to the surrounding area, but have been welcomed at Gould Academy, the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum, The Bethel Historical Society, The Bethel Library, Bethel Rescue and the Gem Theater.

Last summer half of her kids were headed to a field trip at Southworth Planetarium when they were turned around because of a road closure. She called Gem Theater owner Wade Kavanaugh who without hesitation hosted her group of 60 children, allowing them to stay for two movies said Connell, who lives in Bethel with her husband, Rogan, and daughter, Elinor, 8, a CPS and MKA student.

Of the shed full of sports gear at CPS, Connell said she would eventually like to create a lending library for Bethel area families. “Skiing is very cost prohibitive. A lot of families can’t afford it. [They could] sign out a pair of Nordic skis or sign out skates for the whole family for the weekend,” said Connell.

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