Summer at the Club

I love the classic Paul Newman film, “The Hustler” and its sequel, “The Color of Money,” which follows the life of a pool shark.

Pool has always appealed to me because each shot is a practical application of physics and mathematics. Despite my interest, I was a below average player. And I hadn’t even dreamed of picking up a cue stick in long, long time. I was shocked when my sons asked if we could get a pool table.

My first response was, “No. We don’t have room for that.”

“Ahhh,” they sighed.

Then I asked why they wanted one.

“We’re playing in a tournament at the club,” said Josh, 8.

He and his 11-year-old brother, Aidan, spent their summer at the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County.

They regaled me with stories of incredible trick shots and other forms of pool wizardry that ended in victory or disappointment — typically their opponent had to quit the game early because their parents had arrived to take them and spoiled the win.

Pool hustling aside, my boys had a glorious summer at the Boys and Girls Club in Coeur d’Alene.

Their experiences made me an even bigger fan of the organization. My late father, who grew up in rural Arkansas, went to the Boys and Girls club every day after school. He credited them for success in his life. He said he could read books, study and have fun.

The Boys and Girls Club is a treasure for working families. It’s affordable, costing us $40 for both boys and lunch was included throughout the summer. In contrast, childcare for two kids can cost $800 a month.

How can they offer such an amazing deal?

Well, the Boys and Girls Club relies on donations and grants to operate. They partnered with the Coeur d’Alene School District to provide free lunches at Lakes Middle School.

Not worrying about having to prepare lunches every day is a major relief. As a bonus, the picky eater in the family who shall remain nameless suddenly was eating new things and enjoying them.

Beyond the food and snacks, the Boys and Girls Club provides a structured environment that pleases parents.

The staff is warm and energetic. The facilities are safe and secure. They offer cool field trips and outings. Most importantly though, kids really enjoy going there. My sons made new friends and met kids from different schools.

What most impressed me was how the staff treated the children. On a bike trip to the beach, one boy’s bike broke down. Instead of an afternoon splashing in the water, followed by ice cream, the boy solemnly pushed his bike back to the club.

A staff member salvaged the situation from total disaster by bringing an ice cream treat back to Boys and Girls club for him.

“The kid was so happy,” said Aidan. “It made his day.”

Instead of spending hours inside playing video games, my sons had water balloon fights, exercised and learned new skills like pool.

Lookout Paul Newman, the Stewart boys are coming for you.