While the weather report still speaks summer, the calendar is definitely indicating school is on the horizon.  Next week, our Clubs will host end-of-summer barbecues and say goodbye to our summer members before staff start prepping the Clubhouses for the school year.  Before we embrace back-to-school nights and pumpkin spice lattes, let’s take a look at a couple of highlights from Summer of ’23.

In June, 100 Boys & Girls Clubs members from 3^rd through 6^th grade had the opportunity to participate in Kampgrounds of America’s “Get Out There” Event.  What a day!  Youth spent half the day learning valuable outdoor skills like putting up a tent, using a compass, and fire safety.  They also got the chance to tie dye t-shirt, run in relay races, and make s’mores.  Before heading back to Club, KOA and Cabela’s gave each child a goodie bag full of ways to continue to grow their love for nature throughout the summer.

In July, some of the Teen program’s Keystone Club members traveled to Dallas to take part in the National Keystone Conference.   Last summer was the first time our organization sent teens to this conference, and teens and staff alike came back fired up for our Keyston Club to do even more for the community and our younger members.  This summer’s experience was no different.  Our Keystone members were able to listen to vibrant and successful keynote speakers, participate in teambuilding activities and take part in some amazing service opportunities that will impact the youth of Dallas.

Celebrating the successes of summer is vital for planning the upcoming months.  We will be welcoming both new and returning members back into our Clubhouses with an eye on the types of experiences we want to continue to provide our youth: opportunities to learn new skills, experience the communities around them, and find ways to make a difference.

So, with a nod to the past and an eye for the future, the amazing staff at the Boys & Girls Club are preparing for fall with gusto.  In the upcoming months there will assuredly be opportunities for our members to make new friends, invite their families into the Clubhouses for family night events, celebrate holidays with cooking and arts & crafts activities, and of course receive the support they need to be successful in school!