The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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May 27, 2010

Boys and Girls Club ready for ‘Summer Blast’

By Matthew Jackson Staff Reporter

HUNTSVILLE — The Boys and Girls Club of Walker County is making final preparations for its Summer Blast 2010, a two-month series of programs, trips and activities for Walker County youth that kicks off June 7.

The program will be held every week day from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cost of attendance has been set at $30 per week per child, and the program is open to all ages.

“We’ve got a lot of fun and educational activities planned for our kids this year,” said Jackie Pace, Operations Manger for the Boys and Girls Club.

Among the daily activities set for the summer are arts and crafts, outdoor recreation, computer activities and social recreation.

The club has also made preparations for a wide variety of special events and enrichment activities scattered throughout the summer that will be open to club members.

Among these special events are a weeklong carnival hosted by Fellowship of Huntsville church, an alternative energy education workshop hosted by the SHSU Department of Agricultural and Industrial Sciences, five-day child evangelism clubs, cooking classes and a vacation bible school hosted by Covenant Fellowship of Huntsville.

Children will also have the opportunity to take a field trip to the University of Houston campus for a College Experience day that will give an in-depth look at college life.

“It’ll give them an idea of what college is all about,” Pace said, “and get them thinking about their future.”

Children aged 10-12 will also have the opportunity to attend a weeklong summer camp in Midlothian sponsored by the Salvation Army.

As part of outdoor recreation activities, the club will participate for the second straight year in team handball competitions after their great success in a handball league last year.

“Last summer our boys and girls participated in Team USA Handball, and both our boys and girls were undefeated regional champions,” Pace said. “So we’ll be offering that again this year.”

The club will also participate once again this year in the Huntsville Public Library’s annual Texas Reading Club.

“It just gives kids an opportunity to continue reading so they don’t lost that during the summer,” Pace said.

Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Michelle McKenzie praised Pace for her organizing of the program, and said the program will not only provide fun, but also “educational support” for children throughout the area.

“Jackie has done a phenomenal job in planning fun but educational projects for our kids this summer that will keep them engaged all day long,” McKenzie said. “With the great staff we’ve got and the planning that Jackie has put into it, they’re going to walk away ready to back to school with all the educational support they get this summer.”

Applications for Summer Blast 2010 are available at the MLK Recreation Center or at the Boys and Girls Club Offices at 1010 7th Street. For more information, call (936) 291-6054.

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