On a recent Monday afternoon, youngsters were busy at the Roller Barn in Oak Harbor shooting hoops, breakdancing on the hardwood floors and goofing around after a long day of school. But, hey, they were also learning, thanks, in part, to several programs run by Boys and Girls Club and a new computer lab that recently became operational.

During the afternoon, kids were jammed into the lab at the Roller Barn, where they used the new computers to finish their homework and play educational games.

Numerous students in the area use the services provided by the Boys and Girls Club. Currently 621 kids are enrolled at the organization and approximately 60 a day participates in activities. During the summer that number doubles.

“I like playing pool and I like the instructors. They really help us with our homework,” said Torin McColley, 11, between between shots at the pool table.

Boys and Girls Club recently received 10 computers donated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

“It’s up to date and the kids are learning a lot,” said Program Coordinator Julia Balasa of the new computers.

With the help of the computers, Boys and Girls Club members learn about Internet research, get some exposure to Microsoft Office programs and also play some games.

“Some of it is game-based, but it has an educational component to it,” said Roosevelt Rumble, director of the Boys and Girls Club. He added that the software and computer system is designed to ensure kids can only access safe sites.

While several were playing educational games, 12-year-old Ashleagh Phillips, a seventh grader at Oak Harbor Middle School, was working on her English homework and using a computer dictionary to look up words for an assignment.

Balasa said computers are even more helpful considering more and more of students’ work revolves around technology.

With the lab up and running for almost a month, club members could take advantage of the computers when school started in early September.

“The whole goal was to get them before the school year started,” Rumble said.

In addition to tutoring students at the Roller Barn, the tutoring program is also available at Oak Harbor Middle School.

Not everyone was using the computer for their homework. Eleven-year-old Justin Everett was in the lab but getting help from a tutor for a math assignment.

Tutoring isn’t the only service offered after school at the Boys and Girls Club.

Another program, titled “Smart Girls,” provides a comprehensive program for girls aged 10 to 18. The program helps encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles for early adolescent girls.

Program Coordinator Norrie Perreault pointed out the Smart Girl participants also undertake several community service projects throughout the year. Those projects include weeding at a local park, volunteering at area schools to socializing with senior citizens, among others.

Perreault said there are six to seven girls participating in the program but she would like to see that number increase to 20.

“We want to grow the program throughout the community,” Perreault said.

Other programs at the Boys and Girls Club include a leadership development program, and Neutral Zone — a time for middle school and high school students to socialize. Neutral Zone takes place the first three Fridays of every month from 7 a.m. to midnight.

The new computer lab isn’t the only change that’s recently happened at the Boys and Girls Club. Over the summer, volunteers also helped put up a new basketball hoop. Behind the basketball hoop is a sand volleyball court, also installed over the summer.

Rumble said a new security system was installed at the Boys and Girls Club that will better secure the Roller Barn.

Boys and Girls Club is open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Membership at the Boys and Girls Club costs $10 a year.

For more information about Boys and Girls Club programs, call 240-9273 or e-mail at BCGOH@oakharbor.net.