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Summer So Far At The Boys And Girls Club

OAKHURST – The first weekend in May at the Oakhurst Boys and Girls Club (BGC) kicked off strong , as the Club was represented in San Francisco at the 108th National Boys and Girls Club Conference. It was a weekend of fabulous trainings, demonstrations, and a great learning experience I was able to bring home to our very own Oakhurst BGC.

Participating in the conference was a great experience, and I was really stoked to be able to attend, bringing back valuable knowledge and info for our Club, staff, and members.

May June BGC National Conference in San Francisco 2014 photo by Peggy Decker BGCThe National Conference is usually on the east coast or in the mid-west and is not easily accessible to staff here on the west coast, so this was very exciting and a great experience for networking and programming.

The following week Oakhurst BGC participated in the Community Unity Event at the Oakhurst Community College, and also held our own SAFER Choices Parents Night. That’s a pre-teen/teen group at BGC which focuses on the daily and challenging issues they may face in their lives. Both events were well attended, educational, and a lot of fun.

Our second class of the Yosemite Junior Ranger Program was held on May 16th at the Club, thanks to the a grant for the Park’s 150th Anniversary and Ranger Christine Raines. The kids focused on wildlife and plant education and created birthday cards for Yosemite National Park that were displayed at the Voices of Youth event at Yosemite Elementary School. Ranger Raines will be returning for our third class August 22, after school is back in session.

May June Yosemite Junior Ranger Program, thanks to the Park's 150th Anniversary Grant and taught by Ranger Christine Raines 2014 photo by Peggy Decker BGCJune came with a bang and brought the Winter/Spring Books and Homework for Bikes Giveaway at the Club with it. Congratulations to Brandon and Emma Garrett and Stevie Trujillo for doing the Most Homework during our Power Hour – our after school homework Club – the entire year!

Amazing diligence and scholastic ability was displayed by these kids, and it was a pleasure to watch them work hard all year for these bikes! The program will begin again when school starts for BGC members who read the most pages with another set of bikes given away after Christmas Break.

Early June brought donations from the Oakhurst Sierra Rotary and Erna’s Elderberry House to our Club from the “Night at Erna’s Dinner” fundraiser. What an amazing and kind gesture it is to donate and hold this event year after year to help our Club.. They are always supportive and caring of what goes on here and with our kids at the Club. Thank you so much!

May June Kick off summer BBQ 2014 photo by Peggy Decker BGCJune 11 was the last day of school, and the 16th a Kickoff Summer BBQ courtesy of the Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis. They are such a fantastic support system and help to our Club, not only bringing us all the fixings for a hot dog feast, but also donating a brand new propane grill, and doing all the work, said Peggy. They are amazing people and so totally supportive of our organization and the youth in our community. We are so grateful.

Late June brought more visits from our excellent volunteers Dana and Dana, who help weekly with arts and crafts, nature walks around the Club with the members on our own creek trails, and fun treats like Otter Pops and watermelon. Thank you, Ladies!

May June BGC Kids having fun with crafts 2014 photo by Peggy Decker BGC On June 19 we had 18 volunteers from the Summit Adventure group to help run games and play with the BGC kids all day long! Everything we have to offer at the Club was open and available, sidewalk chalk, soccer, basketball, gardening, water balloons and games, pool, air hockey, street hockey, our skate park, arts and crafts, hopscotch, jump rope, and anything the kids had an interest in! A fabulous day with lots of fun and activity! A sincere thank you to Summit Adventure!

The rest of June has brought our weekly field trips to YHS pool, as well as trips to Blackbeards and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. The kids all have such a blast and look so forward to summers here at the BGC. We have 15 field trips planned this summer and always have a great time. There are still many field trips planned the rest of the summer and space to sign up.

If interested in joining the summer festivities, feel free to call or stop by the Club anytime between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or give us a call at (559) 642-4600 for more details and membership info. You can also check out our FB page Oakhurst Boys and Girls Club for current summer schedule and information. Everyone have a safe, fun, and cool summer, and see you at the Club! www.BGCOakhurst.org

Peggy Decker is the Unit Director of the Boys and Girls Club

May June BGC Girls at Blackbeards  on the race track 2014 photo by Peggy Decker BGCMay June BGC Kids at Blackbeards 2014 photo by Peggy Decker BGCMay June BGC Kids at Blackbeards  on the race track 2014 photo by Peggy Decker BGC

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