OFF THE MAP: Kalona

KALONA - A community youth group's space soon will look a bit different, according to the group's director.

Elements, which is part of the nonprofit Kalona Youth Organization, started in November 2007 in the Kalona's community center at 511 C Ave. Elements is comprised of youth in sixth through 12th grades.

'Our idea was to provide a place for kids to be able to come rather than being home by themselves,” said the group's leader, Jeremy Gugel. He said Elements provides 'an atmosphere for fun where they can build relationships and interact with each other in a fun and secure place.”

The group has an after-school program, which started in 2010 and since 2012 has been directed by Doreen Schlabaugh.

'We've been going at that pretty successfully,” Gugel said of the program, which runs on Mondays and Wednesdays. 'We see a great amount of kids come in there during those times.”

Gugel said between 25 and 35 kids take part in the after school program. The group also has weekend activities, which draw between 15 and 30 kids depending on the weather.

'It's not a huge town but we have seen quite a few kids,” Gugel said. Over the years, he said, several hundreds have taken part.

'Some of the ones we started off serving have graduated and moved on, but we still hear from them from time to time how much they enjoyed being there,” Gugel said.

The community center, which is owned by the city of Kalona, is undergoing renovation. During construction, the after school program is using alternate space, as well as the center's gym.

'We don't do a lot of structured things,” Gugel said. 'There are different gaming systems, computers for kids to do homework or go on Facebook.”

Gugel said there also is pool, ping pong, air hockey and fooseball. Concessions are served as well.

'We keep the cost as low as we can,” Gugel said. 'Our idea with the center is we're not necessarily there to make a profit.”

The nonprofit Kalona Youth Orgnaization does do fundraising to cover costs, Gugel said, but most of its funding comes from donors.

Once the renovation is done, Gugel said there will be some amount of space, but things will be set up differently.

'There will be a quiet study room that will help during the after school program,” Gugel said. There also will be a few more computers and a printer so kids can print off their homework, Gugel said.

The renovation is due to be completed sometime this month, Gugel said. There is an open house scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 24.