Sand Art with Karen and Hank » Sep 28, 2011
The club got a very special visit from the parents of VISTA Member Mark Henderson. Karen and Hank Henderson brought an activity for the kids to do: sand art! It was a big hit and for days after the kids were asking where they went and when we were going to be doing sand art stuff again.
Fort Thompson Pow-Wow Parade Pics » Sep 28, 2011
Kids Day! » Sep 28, 2011
The thursday before the annual Fort Thompson pow-wow is Kids Day for Boys & Girls Club members!
This means we have inflatables, a softball tournament, and then later a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Check out the pictures below to see how much fun the kids had.
Special Thanks to Dale Polson and the Grace Church in Iowa » Sep 28, 2011
In mid-July, the Grace Church made a special visit to the club.
One of the best gifts we got, besides some great workshops and positive influence from the youth group, was a donation of over 10 new computers across all three units of the club. Dale Polson, pictured below, facilitated the entire procurement, delivery, and setup of the computers, outfitting them.
He even made a second trip back out from Iowa, taking time out of his busy schedule, to come and make sure all the proper anti-virus software was installed and all the computers were properly connected to the internet and to any printers.
Thank you, Dale, and thank you _____ Church!
The Crow Creek Long Riders Arrive! » Jun 28, 2011
Once a year, the Crow Creek Long Riders ride their motorcycles from St. Paul, Minnesota, through Iowa, and back up to Fort Thompson, SD to memorialize the forced movement of Dakota and Winnebago people in 1863.
This year was smaller, due to the passing of David Emery Wilson, but the group was still grateful to have made the ride and the event was mostly full of smiles, huge, and fond memories.
One of the youth from The BGC’s Motor Club even joined the ride for the last 10 miles or so on his dirtbike!
BGC Youth present Marigolds from our Community Gardens for Elder Appreciation Day » Jun 28, 2011
Becky, who works at our community garden, came to the club during Elder appreciation day to help the kids plant marigolds seeds in cups. About 15 youth participated and after over 40 seeds were planted, the group went over to the tribal hall for Elder Appreciation day to present the seeds to the youth as a symbol of thanks and gratitude.
Club Celebrates Dr. Seuss’s Birthday! » Mar 18, 2011
The Club is proud to announce their involvement with NEA’s Read Across America! NEA’s Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss*.
On March 2, club members joined together and enjoyed Dr. Seuss’s fun stories together! From The Cat in the Hat to The Foot Book, all youth members got to read and re-read the great stories and laugh. Afterwards, there was a Cat in the Hat drawing contest to see how well each member could draw the famous character. It was a great afternoon in the Club for all who participated! The Club would like to thank our wonderful Program Director, Doris Kirkie, for her commitent to the Club members and program. Her dedication has made this program a great success! Thanks, Dorie!
Also, we would like to give a special thanks to Walmart Foundation’s Bright Spot for Reading Initiative for Adolescent Readers. The Club recently joined this great initiative to instill in youth ages 11-15 a desire to become life-long learners and enjoy leisure reading. Along with the Club’s involvement in NEA’s Read Across America, Walmart’s Bright Spot for Reading Initiative provides an excellent opportunity to compile best practices from reading-rich environments about space and design, effective library partnerships, and activities for engaging reluctant adolescent readers in a fun environment*.
*NEA’s Read Across America info provided through: http://www.nea.org/grants/13003.htm
*Walmart Foundation’s Bright Spot for Reading Initiative info provided through BGCA.
Preserving Our Language Youth Program Starts at Club! » Mar 15, 2011
Thanks to the Dakota Indian Foundation, the kids have begun a new Lakota/Dakota language program at the Club! Since there are such significant cultural concepts embedded in the Lakota/Dakota languages, the Crow Creek youth are now able to learn and understand their traditional language. The program provides Lakota/Dakota language instruction and cultural enrichment at the Club. The classes include basic vocabulary, phrases, and conjugating verbs through hands-on activities such as interactive handouts and practice conversations. A main focus of this program is to create an environment that promotes youth members to converse rather than just learn the words on paper.
We have a fantastic program leader, Tally Monteau, who is a Certified Dakota / Lakota / Nakota Language Teacher in South Dakota. Her passion and knowledge of the language is palpable and the youth members are really enjoying the lessons she provides!
The Preserving Our Language Youth Program enables the young members of Crow Creek to engage and enjoy the vibrant traditions of their culture. Stay tuned for more updates and pictures!
Funds provided in part by the Dakota Indian Foundation.
Ashworth Road Baptist Church – GREAT Friends of the Club! » Feb 05, 2011
The Boys & Girls Club of Three Districts would like to give a big THANK YOU to all the members of Ashworth Road Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa. For years, members of Ashworth Road have supported the Club through service projects, donations, and prayer. With their support, the Club is able to provide all their services to the youth members.
In January, a group of members drove up to Fort Thompson and teamed up with Hunkpati Investments (a local CDFI non-profit) and provided the community members with free tax preparation.
They also drove up with a trailer full of donations that included electronics, card & board games, arts and crafts supplies, and SO much more. A member was also gracious enough to donate a pool table to the Big Bend Club as the prior pool table was destroyed in the November fire. Their continued commitment to help the Club has been such a blessing to the community and we can not thank them enough.
They are all great friends to the Club and we appreciate each and every member!
WOPILA!!! Thank you!!!
AmeriCorps VISTA Members Educate Youth on MLK Jr. Day » Jan 23, 2011
The excerpt below was provided by Jenny Schroeder, an AmeriCorps VISTA member, and explains how her and other VISTA member, David Sahli, helped educate Club members on the imporance of Martin Luther King Jr.
AmeriCorps VISTA Members Educating Kids on MLK Jr. Day
”Who knows who Martin Luther King Jr. is?” It is January 17th and inside the Boys & Girls Club of Three Districts, raised hands filled the recreation room as Club members rambled off answers from ”somebody famous” to ”The President!” Luckily, AmeriCorps VISTA members, David Sahli and Jenny Schroeder, were there to provide a more clear, more accurate answer.
Weeks before, David and Jenny brainstormed together to create a service project that would benefit the community in a lasting way.
Five cups of coffee later, they discovered the best way they could make a lasting impact would be through educating youth members.
So they did just that.
As kids piled in to the Club to escape the cold gusts of a South Dakota winter, Dave and Jenny were setting up an interactive presentation all about Martin Luther King Jr. Once the coats were hung and the snacks were eaten, Jenny and Dave began their presentation on the impact Martin Luther King Jr. had on the civil rights movement and the United States in general. Club members listened intently to MLK Jr’s beliefs and nonviolent protests that strived for equality among all races. From the Montgomery Protests to the March on Washington, the children learned how MLK Jr. made an impact and how they too could change the world in a positive way.
Once the presentation was finished, the Club members were given their own ”I Have a Dream” worksheet that allowed them to share their dreams for the future. By the time the presentation was finished, the 15-20 club members were all able to finally answer the question: ”Who is Martin Luther King Jr.?”
