This summer more than 325 elementary kids and teens at the Boys & Girls Club enjoyed a schedule jam-packed with activities and trips to keep them on the go.
Throughout the summer, the local sites in Waynesboro and Staunton participated in Amazing Race programs that involved a mix of crafts, games and cooking projects showcasing a different country each week.
The kids at the teen sites stayed busy after lunch with educational enrichment programs such as:
Healthy Choices nutrition programs – Where kids learned about making healthy choices for a healthy life from nutrition professionals in the community
Money Matters money management classes – With guest mentors from local banks who discussed the basics of smart saving and spending behavior
Book Club – Led by our staff liaison from the Waynesboro Public Library, Adrienne, the kids read a variety of awesome books, including The Hunger Games.
On Fridays staff loaded everyone onto the buses for trips all over Virginia to destinations like Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens, Dave &Busters and Massanutten Water Park, Grand Caverns and the Frontier Culture Museum.
Project Grows was another major component for the teen summer program. Kids helped harvest and distribute food from the farm, located in Augusta County, for Project Grows’ CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) baskets purchased by members of the community.
At the elementary school sites, the kids used their after lunch time to participate in bridge programs including:
Healthy Choices and Organ Wise Guys nutrition programs – Where kids learned about making healthy choices for a healthy life from nutrition professionals in the community
Brain Gain – A series of brain teaser critical thinking activities that our club was asked to pilot for the national Boys and Girls Club organization
Summer Reading Program – In partnership with the public libraries in Waynesboro and Staunton, our kids read throughout the summer to keep their reading skills sharp between school sessions!
The elementary sites weren’t left out of the fun Friday outings. They went on several fun trips to places like the Natural Bridge Zoo & Safari Park, Richmond Science Museum, Taubmann Children’s Museum in Roanoke, Luray Caverns and Massanutten Water Park.
Club Gears up for Back to School
Beginning this school year, the Boys & Girls Club will have locations at all four elementary schools in Waynesboro, in addition to the Waynesboro Teen Center on Main Street, and two facilities in Staunton. These expanded locations are critical given the City of Waynesboro’s recent decision to discontinue the after-school “Latch” program.
One of the programs offered through the Boys & Girls Club is the “Power Hour.” The Club provides members one hour per day (Mondays – Thursdays, from 3 to 4 p.m.) with an opportunity to complete their homework and reading assignments in an environment conducive to learning.
The afterschool program starts with a snack, then the kids have to get their homework done first before play time. This program has proven to be extremely beneficial in helping the youth stay on track during the school year.
If you would like more information about this program, or you are interested in volunteering, please contact:
Whit Caulkins, Director of Operations
Waynesboro at (540) 949-4516
– or –
Annie Sachs, Director
Booker T. Unit at (540) 332-3988.
All volunteers are subject to background checks.
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