Monday, June 21 was our first day of the summer semester and we're off to a great start!! Our parking lot was full of parents bringing their children to check in, most children running ahead in eager anticipation. Young people from all over Collier County are excited to be at the Club for fun filled days of learning and activities!

Our summer program has been created to excite and stimulate a child's mind during the their time away from school. The summer programs are geared to prevent "summer brain-drain". We concentrate on providing a strong academic curriculum year round, but during the summer we throw in field trips and outdoor activities like swimming and games.

Some early highlights are coming from our Science classes, where members are learning about Engineering & Technology. They are already preparing for their Science Fair in August at the club. Participants will be able to show off the principles of Physics.  They will learn throughout the summer by creating robots they have designed themselves! Our younger members are very excited about some of the creative writing and reading programs they are enjoying while out of school. They are enhancing their writing and reading skills, by exploring different forms of compositions. This is an excellent opportunity for young minds to write and share their work with other club members and their instructors.

The Music curriculum promises to be a hit this summer as young people of all ages explore the various styles of music.  Their studies will also involve the world of musical instruments along with voice and choral adaptations as they try out new means of individual expression. Hand in hand with the music curriculum the Club will continue with our dance program. The dance program provides the discipline, accountability and techniques known to dance. Each lesson builds off of the previous one with the goal of having a solid routine for the end of the semester. The members discover a new found confidence that will ultimately help them in many other areas of life.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America's national TNT Drama Matters was designed by Turner Network Television and raises awareness of the value of drama education. The program allows elementary age boys and girls to discover their talent for dramatic presentation while concentrating on important topics to youth in today's challenging world.  Young people are eager to try out their playwriting, acting and improvisation skills as they create age-appropriate and timely presentations about growing up today.

High school club members are off to an amazing start with a full summer of positive and enriching sessions in store.  While continuing to develop their academic skills, teens participate in tutoring sessions in the computer lab with certified teachers to prepare them for their advance courses in the fall.  Field trips to colleges and universities help teens become familiar with the world of higher education while internship programs at the Club and job shadowing at local businesses give them a more realistic picture of their future career goals while helping them to better understand the world of work.   Recognizing that teens need to feel a sense of empowerment, a sense of community and a sense of being a part of something larger than their own lives, high school club members will also have an opportunity to share opinions and examine social and cultural issues as they participate in programs from the National Collaboration for Youth, a national coalition of youth groups formed to advance a positive developmental approach to child and youth development.

But as we said before, the summer is not ALL about the academic curriculum. It is about having fun. Club members will spend time swimming, bowling, fishing, soccer, golf, dancing and much more! Our gamesroom will also see a lot of action. It is the center of the Club. Here, every member has the opportunity to learn sportsmanship and social skills, become appropriately competitive while forming lasting relationships. With multiple ping pong tables, pool tables, bumper pool tables and foosball games, the members build character while getting some free time.

The fun packed weeks ahead will give youth the tools they need to succeed in the upcoming school year. The futures of these young people are looking as bright as the summer sun, thanks to the commitment of all those that support the Boys & Girls Club!

Thank You & Stay Tuned for More Summer Fun!