St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks and the Sheriff's Office hosted a joint open house Wednesday Sept. 23 at the renewed Carver Building. The building has served as an elementary and middle school and is now the home of a county rec center and the Sheriff's District 4 post.

The open house invited the community to check out the facilities and the great programs offered there, which include the new Carver 21st Century Afterschool Program. Mondays-Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. the program offers academic support and positive mentoring for students in grades K-8.

SMC Recreation Director and Carver alum Arthur Shepherd said, "I look forward to the wonderful success stories that will come from this invaluable program."

R & P, the Sheriff's Office, St. Mary's County Public Schools, and the Board of Commissioners partnered to provide new opportunities for what Shepherd calls "positive youth development". BOCC President Jack Russell said Carver is a good example of a community-wide effort.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano said, "I'm absolutely delighted to be part of this." Martirano stated, "We need quality after-school programs. We want to keep our children safe and provide meaningful activities."

Sheriff Tim Cameron praised the cooperative effort that revamped the Carver Building and presented a Sheriff's Salute to Cub Scout Bear Den 5, Pack 420 for their hard work in landscaping the grounds. Many speakers also acknowledged the county, school and Sheriff's staff as well as the many citizen volunteers that dedicate their time to the youth community through Carver's programs.

Dfc. Angela Delozier gave an eye-opening brief about the dangers of cyber-bullying and sexting, sharing actual texts and photos exchanged by adolescents. Delozier, who runs two middle school D.A.R.E. programs, told parents, "You need to be nosy!"

Some familiar and some new faces turned up at Carver to enjoy refreshments and look around the rec center and Sheriff's post. For more information on the new after-school program and other exciting opportunities for youth at Carver, check out http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/recreate/facilities/carverreccenter.asp.