April 1999
National Boys & Girls Club Week
APRIL 12 - 16
The Boys and Girls Club of Marshall County will celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week April 12 - 16 with special activities planned throughout the week.
After 139 years, the National Boys Club opened their doors to girls in 1990 becoming the Boys and Girls Club. There are 2,000 Boys and Girls Clubs in the United States with over three million members.
The Boys and Girls Club has been in Marshall County since the spring of 1996 and is an unique club open during the hours that kids need something to do and someplace to go. It is managed by professional youth workers and is staffed in each area of the club at all times to provide supervision for the members, who choose from a wide variety of interesting activities. This youth-oriented agency promotes good citizenship and prevents delinquencies through after school programs that provide behavioral guidance and the promotion of health, social, education, vocation, and character development of children. The expectations for behavior for The Club are simple; respect other members, respect yourself, and respect your club.
The Boys & Girls Club is opened during the school year Monday through Friday, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and during the summer months from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasionally the hours of operation are adjusted for school holidays, staff meetings, and other special events.
Membership fees are $25.00 per year with a reduced rate for each additional member in the family. Scholarships are available for families where the fee may be a hardship for them. The scholarships are made possible through businesses and service clubs throughout Marshall County. Transportation is also provided at no additional charge for all of the local elementary schools (Jefferson, Menominee, Washington, and Webster) bringing the kids to The Club straight after school. Parents may stay at work and not miss any time, while their kids arrive at The Club safely. Approximately 50 kids are using this service.
The Club offers many different activities, supervision and assistance to their members. The Arts and Crafts Room offers creative projects each day for those who want to explore new talents and skills. Daily projects include yarn work, bead work, paper mache, painting, drawing, and special event crafts.
The Learning Center gives direction in learning new skills and homework assistance for children who need that extra helping hand. Educational field trips and special events give members an
opportunity to travel beyond our community and visit new places they may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.
The Game Room, which is the center of The Club's activities, offers lots of ways to have fun and challenge young skills with billiards, bumper pool, foosball, ping pong, air hockey and other various
table games.
In July of 1998 the new gymnasium was opened and now holds soccer, basketball, and volleyball leagues for Marshall County youths 8 - 18. The gymnasium has daily activities for all ages and interests include basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, flag football, soccer and softball.
There are also important clubs within The Club. The Keystone Club which is a national organization where young people 13 - 18 have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and to be involved in Community service projects. The Nike Swoosh Club, which is sponsored by the Nike Corp., is a group of individuals that help the staff within the club by volunteering their time for athletic events such as referring, scorekeeping and coaching.
The Club is funded through United Way and private contributions from the community. They currently have 515 members with an average daily attendance of 70. The staff and board feels very fortunate for the support they have received from members of the community, private donations, and the United Way to have this wonderful opportunity for the children in our community.
The staff at the Boys and Girls Club is encouraging everyone to come in and see what this special opportunity for our community's kids is all about Parents and their children may come in and explore the activities The Club has to offer. Many people may just drive on by wondering what is going on behind those doors, but our community needs to know that those doors are always open and all are encouraged to take the time and visit. It is a great experience, for our kids and the adults that participate. The club is always in need of volunteers to assist in the arts and crafts room, to help kids with their homework, and as coaches and referees and as mentors to young children. Take the time, make the visit and participate in the experience.
Events Planned For National Boys & Girls Club Week
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