Connecting Kids program offers assistance for out-of-school activity costs Connecting Kids program offers assistance for out-of-school activity costs By Bernadette Heier | April 9, 2021 at 8:29 PM CDT - Updated April 9 at 8:36 PM MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) â Itâs that time of year for kids to start participating in out-of-school activities and a local organization is offering assistance for activity costs. The Greater Mankato Area United Wayâs Connecting Kids Program provides scholarships to children in grades K-12 in Blue Earth, Nicollet, Le Sueur and Waseca counties. Scholarships can cover 50% to 70% of registration costs for an activity of the studentâs choice. âWe have over 30 partnership programs that we can scholarship into. So, we have a lot of options for kids. Everything from swimming lessons to summer camp, dance, gymnastics, right now soccer and baseball are very popular,â Connecting Kids Coordinator Jenny Stratton said.