LOCKPORT, N.Y. — In Lockport, summer fun is on wheels.
"I like going to the tech mobile,” said Alex, a Lockport City School District student. “I think it's really really fun"
The TechMobile, run by the Lockport City School District, aims to find a way to keep young minds engaged during the summer servicing about 100 kids every week.
"We saw a need in the community and just keeping them learning and doing something other than being in their house and playing video games all summer," said Jill Enderton, TechMobile coordinator and Charles Upson Elementary School Teacher.
The van is stocked with summer learning essentials free to children and parents. Including books, crafts, snacks, and iPads loaded with educational apps used during the school year
For parents and kids alike, it's a summer essential.
"I think the parents like having supervised, people that they can trust for their kids to come out for a little bit, and I think the kids just like coming out and playing with each other," said Enderton.
Like many kids in the Lockport area, Alex is a loyal TechMobile participant.
"Every year my son’s like, I can’t wait to see my ladies and it’s the highlight of his whole summer. He likes to do the coloring, the drawing, he'll come home and say look what I made,” said Jasmine Howard, Alex’s parent.
And Alex isn't the only kid excited about what the TechMobile has to offer. Volunteers and workers with the mobile unit say kids always come running at various stops throughout Lockport.
Jane Schuler is a van assistant and works with the local library. She says the excitement is all around Lockport.
"They're always excited especially here and Ruhlmann Road, they're super excited, they'll run out, they'll watch us set up,” said Schuler
The TechMobile.schedule is as follows:
Mondays:
- George Southard Elementary School, 6385 Locust Street from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Altro Park, 201 Willow Street from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Tuesdays:
- Dolan Park, 415 Clinton Street from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Lockport Housing Authority, 268 Garden Street from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Wednesdays:
- Outwater Park, 150 Outwater Drive from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Lockport Housing Authority, 301 Michigan Street from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Thursdays:
- Roy B. Kelley Elementary School, 610 East High Street from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Affinity Foxwood Apartments, 6147 Ruhlmann Road from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Services are weather-dependent, be sure to check lockportschools.org for cancellations due to inclement weather. The TechMobile runs until August 8th.