Bill Githens and the new director of the Culver Youth Club, Brian Carver attended the Marshall County Commissioner’s meeting Monday to request their 2022 appropriation from Marshall County and their 2023 appropriation. 

Githens explained that the Culver Youth Club which operates out of the Culver Elementary School was formerly the Culver Boys and Girls Club which operated out of the Culver High School.  He said during the transition last year their request for the budgeted funds was never sent to the county. Githens apologized for their oversite.

In 2022 the Commissioners requested and were granted an appropriation of $6,000 for the Culver Boys and Girls Club to assist in daily operating expenses.  The commissioners appropriated that same amount in their 2023 budget and Githens asked for both the 2022 and 2023 appropriation in the total amount of $12,000. 

Brian Carver told the commissioners they have 90 kids registered in the after-school program that operates weekdays during the school year from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. He said they have kids that come from Marshall, Starke, Fulton, and Pulaski counties.  While attending the after-school program students are given a healthy snack, an opportunity to complete their homework, recreation in the gym, and the choice to participate in a variety of special programs such as the book club, cooking club, gardening club, art, technology, and more.  The cost for this program is $100 for the year. 

The Culver Youth Club also offers an 8-week summer program from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Kids swim at the lake twice a week and participate in all types of groups such as robotics, education, field trips, games and technology, and lots of physical activity.  The cost for this program is $400 for the total 8-week program.

The Marshall County Commissioners unanimously supported giving the Culver Youth Club their appropriation from 2022 and they will also receive their 2023 appropriation.  The County Council will have to approve the additional appropriation of $6,000 for the 2022 funds for the Culver Youth Club.  This year’s donation has already been approved by the council.