B&G Club ready to open fall program

Program aims to include high school students

The Boys & Girls Club of Winston County will start its second year of after school programs September 8.

This year's program aims to include students from kindergarten through high school with each receiving age appropriate instruction and recreation. Applications for membership may be picked up and filled out at the Club this Wednesday through Friday 2:00pm -6:00pm. Members will need a social security number and birth certificate to complete application. The Club is located at its new facility at 203 Ivy Avenue.

The local Boys and Girls Club, which began operations 2008 expanded its membership ages this year since it located to a larger facility after meting capacity with last year's program. This year the club will be opened from 2:30pm - 6:30pm, Monday through Friday and will feature a number of new programs and offerings. The Boys and Girls Club aims to provide affordable out-of-school time programs for local youngsters with a mission "to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens."

The new fall programming will feature programs to include money matters, team sports, goals for graduation, club technology, Keystone Club, job readiness, girl scouts, dress for success, and triple play along with special events and speakers. Members also have opportunities to participate in ongoing special group activities such as crafts, science and games.

The donation for Club membership is set at $30 for a month. Grants and donations allow the club to provide the programs and services to youth.

"What we offer is not day care; we have activities and programs in place every day to help these children improve themselves," said Larry Dickens, B&G executive director. "Members learn healthy habits of body, mind and spirit."

Daily after-school activities open with Power Hour, a time for completing homework or other learning activities. Daily fitness and recreation activities are based on the idea on Triple Play and follow with a focus on educating the children about good nutrition and fitness.

The Boys and Girls Club aims to enroll around 200 students in the county and is need of adult volunteers to help with Power Hour and the recreational events.

The Club is also currently working to raise funds to help it continue to purse its goals. All donations are welcome and may be presented to the Boys and Girls office.

For more information about the Club, please visit the facility on Ivy Avenue.

The Club is affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and the Neshoba County Boys and Girls Club.