On October 6, the New Bern Boys & Girls Club celebrated its one year anniversary. Through a collaboration of experienced youth development professionals, vested New Bern community members, parents, young kids, and teens, New Bern Club has made significant strides in becoming an integral and indispensable part of the New Bern community. Led by Andrea (Dre’) Nix and her team of professionals, the New Bern Club has focused on introducing programs to youth that reinforce Boys & Girls Clubs three priority outcomes – academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In particular, the New Bern Club has placed a high value on healthy living, building a health and wellness curriculum that includes high yield athletic activities and team building exercises. Because of the New Bern Club’s focus on healthy lifestyles, Club members were able to participate in a health fair, the BGC National Fitness Competition, and BGC Olympic Day.
In addition to healthy lifestyles, the New Bern Club has made an extraordinary effort to involve its members in the happenings of the New Bern community. Kids and teens have participated in several Jonkonnu performances, put on by Tryon Palace, and visited with city officials on occasion. Club teens attended the Spoken Word Poetry Expo presented by the New Bern Civic Theatre. Members and parents have joined regularly to enjoy dinner together and to celebrate the institution of the family. New Bern Club male members participated in the 2016 Male Mentoring Summit at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center which allowed male members to be involved in relevant discussions of issues surrounding young men today and meet community leaders and mentors from across the state. Club members visited Emerald Isle and participated in Take A Kid Fishing 2016. Club kids also attended the Community of Excellence Back to School program which exposed members to subjects covering peer pressure, self-esteem, gang/drugs association, bullying and role play on seeking employment.
All of these outings and activities are extracurricular compared to the New Bern Boys & Girls Club Summer Camp program. For eleven weeks, New Bern Club staff designed and executed high yield activities which exposed over 100 members to all the things that make a Boys & Girls Club such a great movement to be a part of. Now that a new school year has begun, the New Bern Club will focus its energy on academic success. The Power Hour program, which allows for one hour a day for members to complete homework and receive aid from Club professionals, is one such program that helps keep Club members on track to advance academically. We anticipate a great school year and another great year overall.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Coastal Carolina would like to thank all the Club members, parents, advisory board members, community partners, grantors and donors who helped lay the foundation for the New Bern Club. It is our pleasure to be a part of the historic New Bern community. The future success of our youth depends on the support of caring citizens like you. If you would like more information on how you can get involved and help inspire great futures for our kids, please visit our website, BGCCC.net, or call our administrative office at 252-222-3007.
Submitted by Katherine Fannin, New Bern Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board