As students in the Escalon Unified School District head back to classrooms today, Aug. 9, the summer is behind them and a new school year stretches ahead.

Helping send the students off on a fun note, a Friday evening gathering at the Escalon Youth Center provided some food, games and fellowship.

Center coordinator Todd O’Neill said the three-hour ‘drop in’ event was offered from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 4, and was open to students who just wanted to come together for a relaxed, fun evening.

Situated across Yosemite Avenue from Escalon High School, at the corner of Escalon Avenue and Yosemite, the Escalon Youth Center is nearing its one-year anniversary. The project was an effort spearheaded by Trinity Church – Assembly of God and is on the site of the former Escalon Motel, which was torn down to make way for the new center.

The only remaining piece of the motel is a corner suite that serves as a home base for O’Neill.

“We just wanted to give the kids the chance to come and enjoy a good time,” O’Neill said.

There were regular drawings for prizes, food, video games, pool, movies, foosball, card games and more, as well as a chance to visit and catch up with friends before heading back to school.

O’Neill said the center has been buoyed by a strong, dedicated group of volunteers that help insure it is staffed and kept open for the kids. As the new school year gets underway, the Youth Center will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The center was dedicated and officially opened on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016.