Rapid City public schools are closed until after the New Year, but Girls, Inc. and the Club for Boys in Rapid City are both happy to keep their doors open this time of year.  The Club for Boys will be open during regular daytime hours during the two-week long break. The executive director says this is a great way for the boys to stay active when they're away from school.

Scott Bader says, "It's a lot of fun. It gives the guys something to do over the holidays, rather than sitting around at home, playing video games and that kind of stuff."

Nearly 180 boys are expected to partake in the games and activities at the club, like basketball, billiards and floor hockey.

Girls, Inc. is another busy place to be during winter break.

Director Carrie Robley says just because kids are off from school doesn't mean their parents are off from work, and that's a big part of the reason Girls, Inc. stays open when the schools are closed.  She says it is also good for the girls to stay engaged in learning, and because they're at Girls, Inc. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. they can take advantage of some special activities.

Robley says, "Since we have them here for the full day, we're going to take a couple opportunities to take the girls ice skating. This week we've worked on a lot of different craft items for the girls to take home to their parents. We also made some great gift baskets for our foster grandparents and the veterans at the state veterans home."

Girls, Inc. is open Wednesday and most of next week, but the organization is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Julie Oberlander