Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is excited to share that we had eleven wonderful volunteers from First National Bank work at our North Club on Tuesday, August 30th, from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. as part of United Way’s 2011 Day of Caring event.  After our staff gave them a quick orientation and tour of the Club, the volunteers got to work.  They pulled weeds, used weed eater to trim around the building and fence line, cut down trees, mowed, power washed the back parking lot and sidewalk, and cleared debris from the outdoor drain (rock quarry) on the northwest part of the property.

This was a huge project and a big relief that we finally got it all done.  The team effort from our volunteers went way above and beyond our expectations.  It was a very hot and humid day, so we truly appreciate all of the hard work the First National Bank volunteers put in.  Thank you to United Way and First National Bank!!

Our Carter Lake Keystone Club, the Lakers, has just finished a year of service which included fundraisers, community service projects, and academic enrichment activities.  These eight Club members put in a lot of hard work and dedicated a lot of time to these activities.  We are so proud of them!  To reward these kids, all of this work earned them a trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota and Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge in Valentine, Nebraska.

Oh what fun they had!  These eight members visited Wind Cave National Park where they took a two-hour tour of Wind Cave.  After this, they stopped at Crazy Horse National Monument where they learned the hardships Native Americans fought and the influential leaders of the movement.  Next, the Lakers stopped at Mount Rushmore and the Cosmos Mystery Area in the Black Hills where the teens defied laws of gravity.

After the Black Hills, the kids traveled to Valentine, Nebraska, where they kayaked down the Niobrara River, stopping at For, Smith, and Big Creek Falls.  The group stopped to see antelope, buffalo, and prairie dogs in the Wildlife Refuge.  The teens set up tents and learned how to build a campfire at a camp ground right along the river.  Roasting s’mores and grilling hamburgers really set the mood for the camping experience.  Everyone agrees that this trip will be unforgettable and everyone who participated will have wonderful memories of this trip for years to come.

Click here for more pictures.

Stock Market Challenge returns to the Scoular Building in 2011 for another thrilling ride through ticker tape and turmoil. Click here to learn more about how this event benefits our youth and partnership opportunities for you or your business.

2011.What a year it has been already. Just like so many other people and organizations, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands had to take unexpected and immediate actions to mitigate the impending threat of rising floodwaters from the Missouri River.

The Carter Lake Club and Camp Nakomis were the biggest concern as flooding models put both in danger. In early June, precautionary steps were taken that included evacuation of the Club and relocate both Club and Camp operations to the South Club.

While nobody would call the flooding in our area a good thing, Boys & Girls Clubs is trying to focus on the positive. We have been amazed at the outpouring of support from our Club family and the community. On short notice Club staff and volunteers came together to pack up the Carter Lake Club onto four large trailers for safe storage.

With equipment and supplies secured, focus quickly turned to the Club transition. Carter Lake Club, South Club and Administrative staff worked tirelessly together to make sure that the Club experience was not affected for members or campers, and that new staff assignments were streamlined.

“Transplanting our club and camp operations to a new club has been a very extraordinary experience for members, staff, and families the Carter Lake Club serves,” says Josh Towey, Carter Lake Club Unit Director and Camp Nakomis Director. “Our staff is very appreciative of all the support we have received from volunteers, community partners, parents, and our Club family. We are happy to be able to transport our members to another beautiful, safe Club everyday. Without a great deal of teamwork and dedication from many, this would not have been possible.”

To echo Towey’s words, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is so thankful for everyone, including our volunteers from Union Pacific’s UP Ties young professional group, who came out to lend a helping hand. We are confident that after the floodwaters have receded, more support will come forward to help move the Club back into its home at Carter Lake.

The past six months have gone by quickly for new Club President and CEO, Ivan Gilreath. His days have consisted of visits with Club donors and supporters, staff planning sessions, and meeting with community partner organizations. He has a full plate. But, there is one thing Ivan refuses to do no matter how daunting his schedule – forget about the kids.

“I have my office in our South Club for a reason,” he says. “I want to be in the Club with the kids so I can feel their energy and excitement. We can never lose sight of the fact that we do all of this for the kids. I have  a great relationship with the kids in all of the Clubs and like to stay in touch with them and their issues. I participate in a book club that we have for the teens in the South Club. Being in the Club has been more than I expected. It gives me fresh stories to share with our supporters regarding the difference we are making in young people’s lives.”