Savannah Reams: Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Boys and Girls Club (BGC) of Tabula Rasa is an organization dedicated to serving the youth in our communities. Boys and Girls Club has a positive partnership with the Madison County School District and provides services for students K-8 at Lee, Pinetta, Greenville, and Madison County Central School, all free of charge. BGC's mission statement is, “To inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”
Throughout the academic year, kids are invited to stay after school and participate in everything Boys and Girls Club has to offer. BGC allows kids to participate in a variety of activities such as special projects and experiments, technology, games and physical fitness. They also provide nutritional snacks and help with homework and academics. The six core program areas provided by Boys and Girls Club are: Character and Leadership Development; Health and Life Skills; The Arts; Sports, Recreation, and Fitness; Education and Career Development; and Technology. BGC is funded by 21st Century Grant and provides 21st CCLC Project-Based learning at all sites. “We want to provide a safe environment for the children after school where they can have fun and still learn,” said Area Director, Josh Manis.
Even better, BGC offers a summer program throughout June and July, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year, Boys and Girls Club's summer program was housed at Greenville Elementary School. Kids from all over the county were invited to join the club and experience the fun.
This summer, kids were able to stay academically motivated through the help of certified teachers who took time out of their summer to work with the kids on math, reading, and science. Kids also participated in “wacky games” where they were able to practice their athletic skills, have relay races, and play basketball games. The children had fun making “slime” while also learning about the properties and states of matter. Kids at Boys and Girls Club were able to work on a science project and present their findings to community members.
Greenville Site Director, Kristie Lane Gilley, is proud of another successful summer program. “BGC keeps our kids off the streets,” said Gilley. “I love reaching out to these kids and helping them get closer and closer to their dreams.”
If you wish for your child to participate in the Boys and Girls Club of Tabula Rasa after school program when the school year begins, contact your local school site director. Their contact information is listed at the front office of each school. You can also contact Area Director, Josh Manis, at jmanis@bgctr.org.