More than two dozen students from around Audubon and surrounding area have spent the past week in a new, federal and state grant-funded program designed to teach kids persistence, hard work and give them experiences with what’s going on around the County and State. Jason Walter, Special Education/Dropout Prevention teacher at the Audubon High School, told KJAN News he’s grateful for the outpouring of support the “LAUNCH” program has received.

And, while you might think “LAUNCH” is an acronym for the program, Walter says that’s not the case. He says it’s a neutral name for a program that is available to students in Audubon and area Counties that is intended to “start our kids out right …launch them into their future…get them experiences in life.”

The program will be available during the school year, from 3:15-to 6:30-p.m. Walter says while the school year is underway, the program focus will shift slightly, to include help with their homework and more academic activities. He says School District Superintendent Brett Gibbs made it clear that he wanted both the summer and school year program to teach kids without them realizing that they are actually learning something.

He agreed with the idea that it’s kind of like getting kids to eat their vegetables without knowing they’re being served healthy foods. Walter said they are still taking any student who wants to participate in the summer program. Simply stop by the south side of the Audubon Elementary School gym, or search for Launch Kids Club on Facebook. You can also call Jason at 641-203-3035. He says they basically just need a calendar on what days you plan on having your child attend, and emergency contact information.

The cost of the program is $50 per week for students who are NOT participating in the Free and Reduced Lunch program, and you can choose the number of days or weeks you want to send your child. Free and Reduced Lunch participants have the program available to them at no charge. The summer LAUNCH program ends August 19^th, but the regular program with a more academic focus will resume at the end of the first school day on August 23^rd, beginning at 3:15-p.m.  Jason says he’s been blessed with three associate staff members and two lead staffers, who are making the program a great success.