The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix (BGCMP) provides affordable, healthful, and educational activities not just after-school, but during summer time as well. The need for summer programs is so great that most of our Clubs are filled to capacity in a very short time.

"In the areas we serve, being able to attend summer day-camp programs is not an amenity, but a necessity. Schools are out, parents are working, and temptations to become involved in negative behaviors are abundant," said Bridget McDonald, Director of Club Operations for the BGCMP. "The Boys & Girls Clubs provide youth with positive opportunities to spend their summer engaged in positive activities."

At the Club, kids participate in educational programs that are enjoyable. Instead of being entertained all day by computers, video games, TV, or becoming involved in negative behaviors, Club kids are encouraged to be physically and mentally active without feeling like it's something they have to do. Summer at the Boys & Girls Clubs is what summer's supposed to be--FUN!

High-quality programs like the ones at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix are designed to keep kids active and learning through fun activities and, help kids get ready to go back to school. To empower healthful activities, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix has received a grant from the Summer Youth Program Fund to provide summer programming for Maricopa County youth.

To learn more about how you can help support the summer programs of the Boys & Girls Clubs and the youth that we serve, Click here.

Every day, thousands of kids ages 6-18 walk through the doors of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix Clubhouses. Inside, kids find a safe and positive environment and caring adults who help provide them with the tools necessary to reach their full potential.

The gift of your time, whether once a month or three times a week, can impact a Club kid for a lifetime. Helping our community's kid discover their talents and build their self-esteem. Join our volunteer program today!

Currently we are seeking volunteers to:

• share artistic skills in our art rooms
• introduce youth to new computer programs
• immerse youth in the world of performing arts, and
• share your love of sports.

Note: These volunteer opportunities are available at the Herbert Kieckhefer, Warner A. Gabel, and Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branches.

The time you spend volunteering will enrich both your life and the life of the kids we serve. Interested volunteers please download an application by clicking here and email Teresa at treinhofer@bgcmp.org. Your support can make THE difference.

After a busy season with the Phoenix Suns, Shawn Marion took some time off to help unveil the Toyota Reading & Learning Center at the Tri-City West/Thornwood Branch of the BGCMP in Avondale.

In front of a packed room of excited Club kids, Marion spoke about the importance of quality after-school programs in the Valley.

The newly renovated center was made possible by a collaborative effort between Valley Toyota Dealers and the Phoenix Suns. The renovation included new computers, books, flooring, and furniture. The kids are very excited about their new place of learning.

Thanks to Toyota Valley Dealers, the Phoenix Suns, and Shawn Marion for all your support in making this reading and learning center a reality.

CSK Auto recently donated a brand new mini bus to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix.

For many years, CSK Auto has been a strong supporter of the BGCMP and its programs. Several years ago, the BGCMP made the commitment to switch all transportation to mini buses for the safety of its kids. CSK Auto has been extremely supportive of this commitment and has helped provide mini buses for several of the Clubs.

The Phoenix Women's Sports Association (PWSA) recently recognized BGCMP 2007 Youth of the Year Echos Blevins with the Spirit of PWSA Award.

Echos was recognized for her development as a track and field athlete as well as her academic achievements despite the personal challenges she has overcome.

"As a small child, Echos and her brothers and sisters were raised by their grandfather. Although her grandfather took on the responsibility of the children, Echos was often given with the responsibility of rearing her younger siblings, and through it all, she kept a positive attitude," said Dwayne Evan, a track and field coach and 1976 Olympian.

The PWSA's Fourth Annual Girls & Women in Sports Award Dinner took place at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. Sports legend Billie Jean King served as the event keynote speaker.

Congratulations Echos on receiving the Spirit of PWSA Award.

Summer is a busy time at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix with daily field trips. Contact your nearest Club for a list of daily field trips. The listed events are samples of activities at the Clubs: 

Tuesday, June 12
Members from the Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria Branch will pay a visit to the Arizona Science Center where they will experience the Waterworks interactive exhibit. After the exhibit, kids will also visit the Planetarium, which features a variety of programs with state-of-the-art, digital and special effects.

Wednesday, June 13
Kids ages 9-12 from the Herbert Kieckhefer Branch will take a field trip to the Phoenix Zoo. The kids will visit one of the nation's top 5 zoos for kids where they will learn about different animal species while having fun and participating in a myriad of activities.

Friday, June 22
Kids from the Warner A. Gabel Branch will participate on a Mad Science project. This project is aimed at sparking their imagination and curiosity through fun, interactive, and educational programs that instill a clear understanding of what science is really about, and how it affects the world around us.

Sunday, June 24
Thirty four kids from all 10-Clubs of the BGCMP will have an opportunity to meet and greet Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Tony Clark, and get autographs and photos with him. The kids will then watch the baseball game and enjoy a snack and a drink, all courtesy of Tony Clark and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Call your local Club for more information and a complete schedule.

TEXAS HOLD'EM PLAYERS WANTED! ENJOY A DOWN-HOME LUNCHEON TO BENEFIT THE KIDS, THEN GET IN THE GAME!
Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Graham Central Station

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS "DAY FOR KIDS"
Saturday, September 15, 2007
All 10 branches will host different activities

TODAY'S KIDS, TOMORROW'S STARS - CELEBRATING EXTRAORDINARY YOUTH!
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008
Arizona Biltmore Resort

For more info on these events, call (602) 954-8182 or visit www.bgcmp.org 

Kid of the Month Shekuba Turay

The FSN Arizona Character Counts Kid of the Month is Shekuba Turay of the BGCMP's Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch.

Shekuba is 13 years old and just recently finished the 8th grade.

He has been a Club member for 4 years and likes to help others while at the Club.

Shekuba is involved in many Club programs and activities including flag football, the FSN Arizona basketball league, floor hockey, a leadership group called Torch Club, art projects and contests, and "Passport to Manhood." He assists younger members by helping them to read and helps staff set up for the various programs and activities.

Shekuba is also a strong supporter of his peers. He is recognized at the Club as a leader, and it is not surprising to find others seeking his advice. Congratulations to Shekuba Turay, the FSN Arizona Character Counts Kid of the Month. He is a very deserving young man for this award.

For the past two years, the kids at the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Boys & Girls Club have benefited from the caring support of volunteer Micaela Enciso. Micaela grew up attending the Rosenzweig Boys & Girls Club and decided she wanted to give back to her community. She now spends 30 hours a week volunteering in the learning center where she tutors kids and helps them with the computers. Her dedication to the kids is so strong that she schedules her classes at Phoenix College around her volunteer time.

Fluent in Spanish, Micaela spends hours working with Spanish-speaking children on their homework. The hours she spends tutoring have helped children succeed in school because of the extra attention they received. Micaela says she “likes to teach kids and watch them learn.” But she does not stop there-she also participates in all of the field trips and helps run programs such as Girl Power. As a special treat for the kids on Cinco de Mayo, Micaela created a Spanish Bingo game. All of the kids love spending time with and learning from Micaela.

Micaela’s commitment to helping the kids is what truly makes her an outstanding volunteer. She is an important volunteer at the Rosenzweig Boys & Girls Club, and we are lucky to have her.

Thank you Micaela!!

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, please visit our website at www.bgcmp.org or call Teresa at (602) 343-1210.