I.V. Boys & Girls Club alive with summer activity
From our weekly issue dated August 04, 2010
A series of field trips and guest speakers have helped make this an exciting summer for children at the Illinois Valley Unit of the Boys & Girls Club of Rogue Valley, located at Evergreen Elementary School in Cave Junction.
Unit Executive Director Scott Thornhill said that the site has been bustling since school classes were concluded in June, with an average of 40 to 50 children enjoying the many activities offered there on a daily basis.
“By far, it“s the biggest summer we“ve had so far,“ Thornhill said.
The summer started with a bang, as more than 30 Illinois Valley youth, and many from the Medford and Grants Pass areas, went on a Rogue River rafting trip. Thornhill said that excursion continues a 12-year Boys & Girls Club tradition.
Throughout the past few weeks, children at the club have made multiple visits to the Deer Creek Ranch facility operated by Siskiyou Field Institute in Selma. They also have participated in cleanup efforts along River Street and Jubilee Park in Cave Junction; and at Harris Beach State Park on the coast. They“ve also traveled to Ocean World in Crescent City, Great Cats World Park in Cave Junction and the water slides at Emigrant Lake near Ashland.
Regular activities at the club have included arts and crafts, such as making tie-die T-shirts and paper Mache piņatas and masks. A “farm critter day“ allowed the children to get a close look at goats, hedgehogs, rabbits, miniature horses and other animals.
Many guest speakers also have visited to share their stories. Among them were Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson, a marine deputy, members of the Search and Rescue team, emergency medical technicians, and a snake charmer. Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service spent some time at the club, and even brought legendary icon Smokey Bear.
Randy Keith, program and athletic director, said that the club has benefited from having a “diverse staff“ to help keep the youth busy. A 21st Century grant funded one staff position, and a program offered through the Job Council funded three more.
Keith said that enables the club to maintain a 10-1 child to adult ratio.
“That makes a lot of difference,“ he said.
The staff members all specialize in different areas, Keith said, with some handling sports, and others aiding with arts and crafts.
Aug. 20 will be the last day for summer activities at the club. But that doesn“t mean that the fun will be stopping before then.
Thornhill said that a “huge“ day is planned at the club specifically for teen-agers. Also in the works are a sports video game tournament and a “squirt gun“ day.
Keith said that one trip in the works will involve going to Grants Pass for a dodgeball tournament and a dip in Caveman pool, ultimately culminating in a barbecue.
Signups are open for football, volleyball and cheerleading programs set to be offered in the fall.
Children ages 6 to 18 are eligible to participate in the many activities featured at the Illinois Valley Unit of the Boys & Girls Club of Rogue Valley. For more information, phone 541-592-4771.
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