During “quiet time” in one of the rooms at the Bow Youth Center on a Tuesday morning, one boy was bent over his paper, sketching scenes for a comic book, while others were lost in their coloring pages. A few kids sat with books in hand.

Upstairs, the energy shifted with squeals and laughter as children worked with glue sticks and colorful paper scraps.

Darcy Little, director of Bow’s Parks and Recreation Department that runs the center, said the before and after school programs for elementary and middle school students offer a variety of fun activities, from dramatic plays to arts and crafts and plenty of playground time.

“Everyday is different for the kids. They have a lot of fun,” said Little. “There is a lot of planning, but it works out well.”

The Bow Youth Center, purchased by the town in 2021, hosts these programs for K -8 students, including children from the Celebrating Children Preschool.

Despite being run by the town, all the programs are funded by user fees, not taxpayer dollars, Litte said.

At Wednesday’s annual town meeting, Bow voters will weigh in on a petitioned warrant article that aims to set clear guidelines for how funds from the youth center and the Celebrating Children Preschool should be handled.

The proposed article suggests that any funds can only be used for the programs’ ongoing operational costs. It also places a $25,000 cap on spending that the town manager can approve, with anything beyond that needing a green light from the Select Board .

Any remaining profits at the end of the fiscal year would have to be transferred to the general fund.

David Stack, Bow’s town manager, said some residents have become concerned that surplus funds from the programs have been used for other reasons within the Parks and Recreation department. Stack said the suspicions, especially those directed at him – are unfounded.

“I’m named as the person that can authorize expenditures from there because I sign all the manifests,” said Stack. “If there’s excess, I’m not just going to myself say, ‘All right, go do this, or build an addition.’ It’ll be brought forward to the board of selectmen.”

At any given time, the center has 13 staff members in the building, including 10 in the classrooms, along with an assistant director and site coordinator.

Volunteers occasionally help out as well, said Little.

For the last fiscal year, the Bow Parks and Recreation revolving fund generated $377,033 in revenue from the preschool, before and after-school programs, summer camps and other activities.

Of that, $234,935 was used for operational costs. After other expenditures toward capital projects and building improvements, the fund had $121,255 left.

“It’s helping to offset admin, some other programs and building repairs,” said Stack. “The good thing is we’re not raising any taxes for any of these programs.”

The youth center can accommodate 150 children at a time and is open five days a week.

“Parents really appreciate having this as an option,” Little said. “The kids get to socialize and just enjoy free play.”