News at Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks - Branson and Forsyth Missouri

News

DINE TO DONATE

Forsyth Club kids greeted patrons outside the Applebee's in Branson on Thursday evening, May 20, 2010, as part of the Dine to Donate fundraiser. During this fundraiser, patrons had the opportunity to donate to the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks through their dining experience.

FAMILY NIGHT HUGE HIT FOR FORSYTH FAMILIES

The Forsyth Unit held a year-end Family Night celebration for members and their families. Moms and dads, brothers and sisters, all had fun at Family Night! This event included a dinner, the opportunity to complete a Child Identification Kit for each child, and lots of games. The highlight of the evening was a competitive game of dodgeball; the parents and staff vs. the kids. Rumor has it, both the parents and staff really took a beating!

BRANSON CLUB HOSTS PROJECT GRADUATION

On Friday, May 14, 2010, the Branson Club hosted Project Graduation for Chadwick High School. The entire graduating class of 17 students attended an all-night event at the Branson Club. The graduates utilized the Club's gym, game room, and kitchen for the activities they had planned. The parent volunteers who chaperoned reported a very positive experience. The Branson Club is always excited to share their facility for these type of community events, and is thankful for the opportunity to partner with other ogranizations to expand their Youth Development programs.

FORSYTH CLUB GIVES CASH PRIZE

Even though it was rescheduled, Junior Night didn't skip a beat! Twenty-six youth spent their Friday night eating pizza, playing games, and enjoying friends at the Forsyth Unit. Regular attendee, Brandon Koller, was the lucky winner of a $50 cash prize!

BRANSON CLUB EXTENDS HOURS FOR SPECIAL TEEN NIGHT

Teens at the Branson Club had a blast playing Four Base and Wall Ball during a special teen night on Friday, May 14, 2010. The hours at the Club were extended, and the teens had a great time hanging out and feeling like they owned the Club for the night. Don't miss out! Check the Club calendar for more Teen Nights to come.

NEW ADDITION FOR FORSYTH JUNIORS

The members at our Forsyth Club are excited to be using their new homework space! Until recently, table space was limited for doing homework. Now that a wooden counter and bar stools have been added to the half wall in the junior members room, there is additional space for doing homework. The Forsyth kids can never use the excuse, "The dog ate my homework."

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

Teacher Appreciation Week was May 3-5. The kids at the Forsyth Club showed appreciation for the teachers in their area by creating colorful cards. They hand-delivered the cards, along with large iced cookies, for the teachers to enjoy. The Club's partnership with the Forsyth schools has been a vital part of continual growth in the areas of programming and community relations. In an effort to gain more detailed instruction and a clearer understanding of the school's requirements, some of their Club staff will participate in classroom observation at the Elementary School.

FOSSIL FUN FOR FORSYTH KIDS

Recently, the Forsyth staff met with Bruce Herschend, owner of Talking Rocks Cavern, to pick out items for the new Science Center at the Forsyth Club. Mr. Herschend kindly donated over $400 worth of various rock and fossil samples. He has partnered with the Forsyth Boys & Girls Club in a three-year program to include free tours of the caves, use of the trails surrounding Talking Rocks Cavern, and opportunities for their Club members to dig up some of their own rocks and minerals. Some of the older Club members will be instructed on rock climbing.

An opportunity to participate in an experiment, originally designed by NASA, which was used to find life in a cave peviously considered devoid of life, was also extended to their Club members. They will be able to conduct some of those same experiments, as part of Talking Rocks' new scientific program.

HAWAIIAN FLAIR AT THE BRANSON CLUB

The Branson Club enjoyed a Hawaiian-themed day on Friday, April 30, 2010. The staff surprised the members by coming to work dressed up in Hawaiian attire. Members got to join in on the fun when a game of limbo was offerd to them as they came off their buses! This is just one of the many ways we try to keep things fun and exciting here at the Branson Club.

TEEN COFFEE HOUSE ROCK-A-THON

On April 23, 2010, the Branson Club hosted their first Teen Coffee House Rock-A-Thon. This fun-filled night featured a live band and refreshments including our teen coordinator, Mr. Steven's awesome caramel frappucino, along with delicious deli-style sandwiches, chips, soda, and ice cream.

Whether enjoying a competitive game of ping pong or just hanging out and listening to the band, no one was bored. Without a doubt, this night had something for everyone. If you were unable to attend that night, don't fret. We will be doing it again on May 21, 2010, from 8-11pm. There is no admission for this event, and both members and non-members are encouraged to attend. So, come by and chillax!

BUILDING BLOCKS TO POSITIVE BEHAVIOR

The Forsyth Club has started a really great program with their members on behavior and emotions called "Positive Reaction, Taking Action." This week the kids are building towers of trust to illustrate how trust is built one decision or situation at a time. But, it can all come crumbling down with a bad choice like not telling the truth.

JUNIOR NIGHT BIG HIT AT THE FORSYTH CLUB

On April 23, 2010, the Forsyth Club hosted Junior Night. It was great! The purpose of this event was to provide wholesome activities for our members outside Club hours while allowing them to socialize with and introduce non-members to the Club. Because this event was open to the community, the staff was given the opportunity to meet parents and possibly recruit kids, who otherwise would not know what kinds of activities the Club offers.

Twenty-one kids attended and participated in game room activities, as well as a dodgeball tournament, and club-wide hide-and-seek. In addition to all the group activities the kids engaged in, they also enjoyed pizza, soda, and door prizes.

NATE LEECH ATTENDS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Nate Leech, Forsyth Unit Director, attended the National Afterschool Association's annual conference in Washington, D.C. Mr. Leech had the opportunity to network and share ideas with afterschool program participants across the nation as well as attend valuable break-out sessions that provided innovative approaches to common afterschool problems.

CLUB KIDS BRING HOME 12 TROPHIES

On April 16, 2010, members from both our Forsyth and Branson Clubs participated in the Game Room Tournament held in Springfield. They competed against members from the Joplin and Springfield areas in Speed Stacking, Connect Four, 3-Ball, Table Tennis and Carpetball events. Being the champions they are, Forsyth brought home five trophies, and Branson brought home seven! Join us in congratulating them.

NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES AT THE CLUB

Rusty Meyer
Unit Director for the Boys & Girls Club - Branson

Rusty Meyer grew up in Branson and attended Branson Public Schools all twelve years. He has a degree in History and English Education. Rusty left the area for eight years to teach and coach high school, then went on to play professional baseball in Europe and Australia. He later went to New York City to work with youth at a Sports and Recreation Center. We are excited to have Mr. Rusty here with us at the Club.

Becky Troutt
Program Director for the Boys & Girls Club - Branson

Becky Troutt has lived in the Branson area for the past 11 years. She has worked at the Boys & Girls Club for the past five years as the Front Desk Supervisor. Becky has her degree in Elementary Education and taught school for a year and a half before coming to the Club. She is excited to continue working at the Club in this capacity while inspiring children to be the best they can be.

DR. SEUSS DAY

On Friday, March 5, 2010, all three Boys & Girls Club locations celebrated Dr Seuss Day with games, bounce houses, cake and plenty of families reading together. Formally known as Read Across America, this observation of the 106th anniversary of Samuel Geisel (Dr. Seuss)'s birthday is an event promoted by the National Educaton Association (NEA) and celebrated by more than 45 million readers, young and old, across the country. In Taney and Stone Counties, the Boy & Girls Clubs use the annual event as a chance to encourage parents and other adults to take time to read to or with youth at its locations.

Said Autum Page, Executive Director, "A love of reading starts early and can be best passed down from parent to child. For me, it started with Maurice Sendak's 'Where the Wild Things Are,' and now my son loves for me to read it to him at bedtime. For the Clubs, having huge parties for Dr. Seuss Day is essentially about allowing families to create those kind of special memories together and encourage them to continue reading together at home." More than 60 adult family members and volunteers spent time at the Clubs' after-school programs to read and play alongside children. After taking time to read with an adult, Club members and their special guests were treated to Seuss-themed games and crafts at the Reeds Spring Club, dined on Green Eggs and Ham for dinner at the Forsyth location and were treated to a romp in bounce houses provided by Monkey Moe's at the Branson Club.

The ultimate goal for the nationwide event was to show America's children the joy of reading. To honor the good doctor and celebrate the fun and value of reading, the Boys & Girls Clubs once again joined the NEA and many of America's leading literacy, youth, and civic groups in bringing together a nation of readers under one hat - the red and white stovepipe made famous by the Cat in the Hat - for a flurry (or furry) of reading excitement!

TEENS EXPLORE CAREERS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY

On Friday, February 9, 2010, members from both the Branson and Forsyth Boys & Girls Clubs spent the afternoon at work alongside several area business people, as part of the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks' annual Job Shadow Experience. For 16 young people, the afternoon provided a chance to roll up their sleeves and spend time with men and women currently working in the career fields that they might be interested in pursuing when they finish high school. Said Autumn Page, Executive Director, "This is our fourth year for the Job Shadow Experience, and our teens look forward to it every February. For many of them it has changed their goals for the future. Instead of banking on playing in the NFL, they are now serious about graphic design and financial planning."

Businesses hosting members for the afternoon included College of the Ozarks, Branson Vet Clinic, Edit Access, Andrew's Auto Body, Kirbyville Clinic, Forsyth Fire Department, Chopper Charter, Branson Police

Department and Dr. Dan Woodward at Skaggs Regional Health Center. According to Orlin Harrison, Branson High School student and Club member, the event is rewarding. "It's cool to get out of school and have the chance to spend time with someone in a career that you want to learn more about." This was Harrison's second year to shadow Al Waller, Athletic Director at College of the Ozarks. Said Harrison, "We have a lot in common -- like fishing and sports. I like getting just to visit with him. It's fun to talk with him about what his job is like and getting to help him for a while."

"We are always grateful to members of the community that open their schedules and allow our teens to spend the afternoon with them," said Laci Bainbridge, Branson Unit Director. "What I find interesting is that the experience is just as rewarding for the business leaders who volunteer as it is for the teens they host." For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks Teen Programs, Annual Job Shadow Experience or other after-school opportunities, please visit their website at www.bgcozarks.org.

LOCAL WOMAN LEAVES LEGACY OF SUPPORT FOR AREA YOUTH

The Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks receives generous estate gift. The owners and operators of the Branson Mercantile for 23 years, Charles and Helen Winston first came to the area because of their entrepreneurial spirit and a love of the Ozarks' outdoors. Once they decided to make Branson their full-time residence in 1955, they soon came to know and love the people in the community, and made a priority of giving back both their time and resources.

Many firends and neighbors loved Helen, a long-time volunteer of the First Baptist Church and the Taneyhills Library Thrift Shop, during her 54 years in the Branson area. Her compassionate nature was never more evident than with the estate gift of $180,000 she left to the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks upon her passing in September 2009. Joe Reish, the Winston's nephew and a local businessman, presented the Boys & Girls Club with Helen's gift during the Branson Unit's annual Christmas Party on Decemner 23, 2009.

While Helen had donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks many times over the years, she had kept her plans for a large final contribution a secret. "I had the privilege of visting with Mrs. Winston on several occasions, but her most generous gift came as total surprise and a huge blessing to the Board of Directors, staff and kids at the Club," said Autumn Page, Executive Director. "As a consistent donor, she always included a hand-written note encouraging us, and reaffirming how important the service is we provide to the community. I knew that she believed in the mission of the Club, but had no idea her commitment to youth was so strong. We are extremely grateful," Page said.

Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks Executive Board member and treasurer, David Cook said being good stewards of such a generous gift is the organization's top priority. "We are looking into a number of different options that would allow the Club to accomplish the greatest good for the most youth over the longest period of time, all while honoring the legacy that Mr. and Mrs. Winston created in this community.

Reish shared his comments about his late aunt's generous donation, "Helen had a great love for children and would be thrilled to have been able to see the faces of the kids that her donation is going to support. I think she would be pleased to know that this final gift is one that will create hope and change lives."

OUTSTANDING BRANSON TEEN TO BE NAMED YOUTH OF THE YEAR

BRANSON, MISSOURI. Orlin Harrison is a true example of an extraordinary young man. At age 14, he has just been chosen to receive the highest honor a local Boys & Girls Club organization can bestow on a member. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. "We are proud of Orlin! He has overcome so much in his life and is a fabulous role model for any young person," said Laci Bainbridge, Branson Unit Director. In addition to playing Junior Varsity football at Branson High School and being an active member of the National Honor Society, Orlin volunteers through the Club's Teen Center programs, at the Merriam Woods Police Department and a local nursing home.

Orlin was one of six candidates from the Club's locations in both Branson and Forsyth to be chosen to compete for the coveted title. The difficult decision of choosing a Youth of the Year from the group of teens was left to a panel of community judges, including Mark Newsom, NewsonCreative; Lisa Westfall, City Clerk/Court Administrator for the City of Branson; Jon Holloway, Gerken & Associates; Nita Jane Ayres, Representative for the 62nd District; Sue Head, Executive Director of the Keeter Center for Character Education at College of the Ozarks; and Mark Cowsert, Community Pastor for The River.

As a representative of our community, Orlin will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members from across Missouri for the State Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader's Digest Foundation. The State Youth of the Year Event will take place in Jefferson City on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, and will conclude with the winner being named during a ceremony and formal dinner in the Governor's Mansion. As the Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks, Harrison is among hundreds of local youth across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for his strong character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

If Harrison wins at the state competition, he will compete for the title of Midwest Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2010 to compete for the title of BGCA's National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the President in an Oval Office ceremony. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of Reader's Digest and this year's event was the fourth annual competition locally.

LOCAL WAL-MART SUPPORTS TEEN PROGRAMS

BRANSON, MISSOURI. The Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks received a grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation in support of its Teen Programs in the Branson and Forsyth programs. Autumn Page, the Club's Executive Director, stated that the gift will go directly to purchase supplies needed for the after-school programs and activities that the organization provides for youth, ages 13 and older. "We began to make programs for teens a top priority a few years ago and it is tremendously rewarding to know that local businessess share out point of view." A dedicated space exists in both the Branson and Forsyth locations that are used only by teenage Club members. "Teens are a unique group and require different kinds of activities and opportunities. We recognize that they could go home everyday after school, but appreciate that they value what the Club has to offer," said Billy Rader, the Club's Operations Director.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks began offering Teen Programs in 2006, through a partnership with K-Life in Forsyth and a redesign of the Teen Center in Branson, which was funded by a tax credit project through the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Since that time, the program has grown to more than 30 teens each daily during the school year. Both locations are supervised by a Teen Coordinator and offer a community-service based program throughout the summer months. For more information about programs for teens or about the after-school and summer programs in Branson, Forsyth and Reeds Spring, please contact Billy Rader at 417.335.2089 (ext. 226), or stop by the nearest Boys & Girls Club location.

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