The Youth Leisure Center (CLJ) of Nice St Augustin has existed since 1976. Located in the Les Moulins district, it aims to offer young people aged 6 to 21 various sports, cultural, recreational, and leisure activities, both indoors and outdoors. Relocated to Carras / Promenade, this CLJ offers various activities for children aged 11 to 21.
The CLJ has been in operation for 40 seasons. It has been established in the Les Moulins district in Nice for 38 years. Erick Meygret has been working there for 27 years. “Initially, the goal was to carry out preventive actions with young people. It involved keeping them engaged through sports and cultural activities. Throughout the season, we carried out prevention actions regarding road safety, environmental issues, and addictions to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and social networks,” recounts Erick Meygret, director of the CLJ.
During the months of July and August, the leisure center was set up in Carras/Promenade by the sea. Foosball, table tennis, card games, volleyball, water sports… are among the activities offered to the 138 children hosted. “We have 200 permanent registrants at CLJ compared to 195 last year. Thanks to the five permanent staff provided, we can carry out these actions throughout the year. Two police officers were deployed as reinforcements for the smooth running of the last two months,” states Stรฉphanie Perret De Fligue, president of the CLJ.
Regarding financial participation, it ranges between 0.50 euros and 5 euros per day. It is calculated based on the family quotient. “The goal is not to make money but to keep young minds engaged. No matter where they come from, we welcome children from all over France. This year we had two young girls from Guyana. The children must be aged between 11 and 21 years. That is the only requirement; we want to limit constraints,” insists Erick Meygret.
“The children are always happy to come. They wish to stay longer,” he adds. Besides the activities offered in summer, in winter, the CLJ St Augustin offers river descents, mountain biking, or skiing.
“The CLJ is not just a simple leisure center. Rules are respected here, and one learns that any inappropriate gesture or words are prohibited. Moreover, we have implemented a point system. The child has 12 points, which allow them to participate in nautical activities such as the fly fish*. If they utter an insult, they lose a point. It is both an educational and entertaining approach,” explains Stรฉphanie Perret De Fligue.
Providing engagement, education, and prevention against the dangers of addictions and idleness for our children is the leisure center’s mission. In collaboration with educational institutions, a true framework is provided. For Erick Meygret, the educational impact of the CLJ’s actions is paramount:
“For children aged 15 or 16 who no longer find educational structures, the CLJ acts as a guarantor with companies to take them in for internships. Obviously, the results of such actions are seen in the long term. We have doctors and engineers who come from the CLJ.”
“We have connections with principals. If a student is expelled from school, we are informed. The student is welcomed at the CLJ where they must, using a search engine, find the penalty incurred in case they were an adult.”
