— Sadler Arts Academy eighth-grader Alex Rice says he looks forward to coming to Muskogee Teen Center after school this year and improving his Aikido skill.

“It’s a great activity, and I like coming here to hang out,” Alex said before an Aikido practice. Aikido is one of several after-school programs offered this year by the Teen Center, 322 Callahan St.

Youngsters and teens have a variety of opportunities to gain new skills or improve their education at Muskogee after-school programs.

They’ll begin Wednesday at the Martin Luther King Center, 627 N. Third St.

Muskogee Teen Center will be open 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays for kids in grades seven through 12.  The center’s computer lab, weight room and gym will be available those hours, said program director Eileen Van Kirk. The ministry Christ for the World will serve hot meals starting Sept. 4, she said.

The center already offers an ongoing class in the martial art of Aikido, Van Kirk said. Other Teen Center programs will begin in September. Programs include beginning and advanced guitar lessons, drum lessons and a potential dance class. Van Kirk said the center welcomes proposals for other classes.

“We are particularly interested in someone wanting to do something artistic,” she said.

A bus from Alice Robertson Junior High will stop in front of the Teen Center while the bus from Muskogee High School will stop a couple of blocks from the center, Van Kirk said. However, the center is open to students from any area district.

The MLK after-school program, for first through eighth grades, focuses on tutoring, homework help and educational computer games, Director Derrick Reed said. The program’s hours are 3-6 p.m. on school days.

“We want to make sure our kids are ready to take their standardized tests this year,” Reed said. “So, our focus is not just to help kids turn in their homework, but also help them be test-ready.”

Four MPS teachers and a counselor will help kids with their lessons, Reed said.

Fridays will feature guest speakers to help motivate the kids, he said.

Participants will have supper and then outside activities before their tutoring begins, he said.

Participants who don’t need homework help or tutoring can enjoy educational computer games, Reed said.

“We’ll have the same ones they use in school, such as Cool Math,” he said. “We want to make learning fun for kids, so they will not lose momentum with what they’re doing at school.”

Buses from each MPS school will take kids to the MLK program. However, it is open to kids from any district.

The program is limited to 60 participants. Cost is $10 per week for the first child in a family, $5 per week for the second child, and any other children in a family are free. The program is sponsored by the Muskogee Christian Ministers Union.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

If you go



WHAT: Martin Luther King Center After-school Program.

WHEN: 3 to 6 p.m. school days, starting Wednesday.

WHERE:  Martin Luther King Center, 627 N. Third St.

AGES: Grades one through eight.

PROGRAMS: Tutoring, homework help, outdoor activities, computer programs.

COST: $10 per week for first child in family; $5 per week for second child, free for other children. Program limited to 60.

INFORMATION: (918) 684-6314.



WHAT: Muskogee Teen Center

WHEN: 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

WHERE: Muskogee Teen Center, 322 Callahan St.

AGES: Grades seven through 12.

PROGRAMS: Computer lab, gym and weight room. Several classes beginning in September.

COST: Free.