A party with a purpose

COEUR d'ALENE — The Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County's 2016 Spring Party is a party with a purpose — to raise funds for the club's busiest season.

"It covers scholarships, the summer programs," said Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County executive director Ryan Davis. "We have almost 400 kids every single day at the club."

Summer memberships cost only $20 per child, but the actual cost to run summer programs per child is $270. Summer at the club includes field trips, games, free lunches, recreation and more. Programs include the arts, healthy lifestyles, sports and fitness, STEM activities and an emphasis on academic success.

Davis said several programs and some new activities will be showcased at the Spring Party, including "Brain Gain," which comprises one-week modules with fun, themed activities for elementary, middle and high school students. It supports higher-order thinking skills while keeping kids on track for the next school year.

"We're trying to create a fun, exciting environment," Davis said, adding many of the activities combat the "summer slide," or loss of learning students experience during summer vacation.

The Spring Party, presented by Coins Plus and hosted by the Partnership for Kids Club, will be an evening of light appetizers, cocktails and mingling at the Hagadone Event Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 28. Donor and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Tickets are free but limited.

"We try to always provide an opportunity to thank the people who have helped us," Davis said. "We anticipate that we’ll be pretty packed.

"This is a big kickoff to the summer."

The Hagadone Event Center is located at 900 S. Floating Green Drive in Coeur d'Alene.

Info: www.cdaspringparty.com