BUCKHANNON – The Stockert Youth and Community Center hopes to receive a grant that would allow the facility to have a fully operational kitchen.

Debora Brockleman, SYCC director, told the board said she has applied for one grant and the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund.

“I want this money to go towards a working kitchen, because we could have one if we had the funds,” Brockleman said. “We need to have the stove checked out, and we have a confectionery oven as well that needs to be checked out. If we get between $20,000 and $30,000 toward this project, I think we could get it upgraded and make it usable.”

She said the kitchen would be especially useful for their summer program, so they ccould provide children with meals.

“The summer food program is only for three weeks, and we go for nine weeks, so there are six weeks that we have to come up with food for the kids,” Brockleman said. “Currently, all of them are packing lunches, but we feel that if we could be able to fill in or do it all for ourselves, then it would be very beneficial.”

Camp Buccaneer is ongoing at SYCC, with about 55 children in attendance every day.

“We’re swimming three days a week,” Brockleman said. “Other activities include field trips, gym time, morning circle time, outdoor time on the playground, arts and crafts projects, Riverwalk visits, gardening projects, various guest speakers, library time and fitness activities. The last day of camp will be Aug. 5.”

Open registration for their after-school program will begin July 18 on Recdesk.

“We’re going to participate in the Largest Yard Sale at Stockert this year,” Brockleman said. “We’re going to accept donated items, and then we’ll rent out spots as well during that day. We also have a date scheduled for the Children’s Festival, which will be Sept. 10. I’ve talked to Jerry Arnold about the Truck Fest, and he asked me to pick a day and they would do it on the same day we are.”