The games, the kids, the positive messages

Want to play soccer? Line up by the door. If you want to do art, go to that table.

Or choose from a bunch of other activities that Roper Elementary School third-grader David enjoys.

“Dodge ball, play Xbox, play Wii, dance, play soccer, and get sweaty,” he said.

For David Nava and many other students, the lineup of activities and clubs at Boys and Girls Club at Park Middle School sure beats watching boring television all day.

For the older students, there are many leadership opportunities, whether they know it or not. 

“I wouldn’t say leader," said Martha Martinez, also a sophomore Link this fall. "But I do make sure that people don’t feel bullied." 

The majority of students spend a few hours in the hot gym playing dodge ball, or outside playing soccer – equally hot - or in the cafeteria dancing. 

On a humid Monday afternoon, inside and out, students played a more active style of table tennis. Starting with four competitors, they hit the ball back and forth - but had to walk to the other side of the table for their next shot. The continued in a circle until someone made a hitting error, and that person would sit out. The game continued with three, then two players who competed in a more traditional style of table tennis.

Here are some comments from students about Boys and Girls Club, now in its fourth year. 

• Jonothan Gonzalez, a sophomore at Lincoln Southeast High School, “I feel safe here. It’s like, you see all the kids here, and the adults, and learn something and stay out of trouble.”

• Juana Manzo, fifth-grader at West Lincoln Elementary School: “Because it gives me something to do other than laying out watching TV and eating potato chips.” Her favorite flavor is bar-b-que.

• Abraham Tsheila, incoming freshman at Lincoln High, likes basketball and soccer: “Hang out with my friends. It’s fun because I get to compete with my friends.”

• Desiree Britton, incoming freshman at Lincoln High: “I can be with my friends and it’s better than sitting at home. I play ping pong and dodge ball and air hockey and listen to music.”

• Maria Guiza-Beltran, eighth-grader at Park, who comes almost every day to draw and play games: “It doesn’t get you bored, and you have something to do during the summer.”

The cost to participate is $40 for the entire eight-week session, with scholarships available. About 12 employees engage with the approximate 145 daily members that show up.

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Published: July 9, 2012
Updated: July 9, 2012