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Boys and Girls Clubs mark 10
years of service and fun for Cache kids
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By Ashley Murray
March 3, 2005 | Where do you
go club'n in Cache Valley? Many of us are probably
guilty of getting our groove on at Club Skyline;
whether it's the R&B "One, Two Step" or the country
swing two-step. But did you know that there is
a club in town which has been attended by Michael
Jordan, Neil Diamond, and Brad Pitt? The Boys
and Girls "Club" of Cache Valley is part of a
national organization that helps youth in our
society step it up in life and school.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)
first began during 1860 in Hartford, Conn.,
where several women decided to form a club for
young boys to attend. These women believed that
there must be a positive alternative to roaming
the streets. Little did they know their club would
progress to become a nationally known program
that would help thousands and thousands of children.
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KNOCKIN' 'EM DOWN:
Bridger Elementary students
bowl during their Boys and Girls Club time together.
/ Photo by Ashley Murray |
It is estimated that over 4 million youth are involved
in the BGCA within the United States. The Club also
reaches many kids on international and domestic military
bases, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Statistics show that 56 percent of the overall
membership is male and 44 percent are female. Over half
of those enrolled are between the ages of 10 and 15
years old.
With 3,400 clubs registered, it is very easy to
locate a group within or near your community.
The
Boys and Girls Club of Cache Valley first opened
its doors 10 year ago. According to the program director
of the Cache Valley Boys and Girls Club, Erica Jarvis,
there are 17 clubs that stretch from Preston to Wellsville.
The average age of club members are anywhere from 5
to 13 years old.
The beginning of the Cache Valley BGCA mission statement
is, "The Boys & Girls Club of Cache Valley is more then
a place, it is a "movement" to inspire and enable all
young people, to realize their full potential as productive,
caring and responsible citizens."
It BGCA has recognized the increasing number of children
left by themselves at home after school. The club offers
a safe place to learn, build relationships, hope, and
opportunity to succeed in life.
"That's my favorite part," says Kali Hoenes, a Utah
State University senior in Parks and Recreation. Hoenes
is also a staff member at the Bridger Elementary Boys
and Girls Club. "I love seeing them achieve their goals
and knowing that I had something to do with it."
Hoenes said that the BGCA has such positive reputation
because, since it is a nationally known organization,
many adults are already familiar with it and are interested
about how it can benefit their children. It is also
advertised through the schools.
The Club at Bridger Elementary has a program called
"Power Hour" . It is used at all the sites that
have kids ages of 6 to 13 years. It is a time were the
kids can receive homework help from teachers, tutors,
and staff members. Points are rewarded to those who
complete their assignments. Prizes are given out weekly
and monthly.
After "Power Hour" is finished, club time begins.
Each age group of kids are involved with different games
such as bowling, gegaball, rhythm sticks, and cultural
activities. It's a time to educate but to also allow
kids to be kids.
This schedule is similar to the Club at Summit Elementary
in Smithfield. The Club starts each day with a snack,
follows by homework help and then activities. Lisa Henrie,
an Elementary Education major at USU, has been working
with the Club at Summit since August. "The Boys and
Girls Club offers ways for kids to find ways to express
themselves, be individuals, and just have fun," said
Henrie.
As mentioned in the introduction, many BGCA
alumni have achieved high distinction in their
careers of entertainment, sports, business, and politics.
But not all alumni are famous. Most have been successful
by receiving and education, raising a family, pursuing
a career, serving their country and being actively involved
in the community.
Research was done by Louis Harris & Associate, found
that Club alumni have strong feelings about their experience.
Eigthy percent said that the staff helped them learn
wrong from right. Ninety-five said the Club was the
best activity available in their community. Fifty-two
percent said it "saved their life" by participating.
All in all, Boys and Girls Club of America provides
a positive place for kids to be. The Chronicle of
Philanthropy ranked the Club number one among youth
organizations for the tenth year in a row. In 2001 and
2002, WORTH magazine ranked BGCA to be one
of the "100 Best Charities in America." The ranking
was based on financial efficiency, program effectiveness
and strength or reputation.
No matter what your age, weight, heigth, or maturity
level may be, Boys and Girls Club has a place for you.
They are always
looking for volunteers and youth participants.
The BGCA national success and positive impact have been
seen in the past and will continue to prove itself in
the future one step at a time.
To view more information about Boys and Girls Club
of Cache Valley, click on the following links:
June 14, 2004 Herald Journal- Boys and Girls Club receives
sizeable grant
June 13, 2002 Herald Journal- Boys and Girls Club enrollment
jumps
LISTEN UP: Summit
Elementary students prepare for "Power Hour."
/ Photo by Ashley Murray
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