The Revelstoke After School Society has 98 children registered this year, its third year running. That's up from 24 the first year, and 48 the second. The organization also opened a third location at the Baptist Church on Highway 23 North.

After school care means child care for school aged children, up to ten-years old, between the hours of 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. in the afternoon.

Jo Gawler had the idea to start the society in January 2020 when she was out for a run with a friend who had just moved to town from Vernon. Her friend was asking what there was for after school.

"And I said, 'Ah, nothing.'" Gawler said. "There is nothing! Parents just have to go around and figure it out themselves."

Now Gawler is the executive director of the Revelstoke After School Society's not-for-profit. Her daughter is in after school care, and her son will be when he starts school.

For her personally, after school care has given her the ability to talk to other adults during the day, and to grow something in the community.

"It's like a little child for me; it's exciting to see where it's going." Gawler said.

The have one staff member for every six children, and they offer outdoor programming except on days when it's not good to be outside, because of the weather or smoky air.

Other than the new location in Columbia Park, there are two downtown. Children from Arrow Heights Elementary School are bussed downtown with staff after school.

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