Keystone members embrace the magic in Orlando, Florida!
The 2011 Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Keystone Conference was held in Orlando Florida from March 3rd to March 6th. Our Keystone Club went across the country to show them the amazing things we are doing in Laguna Beach.
On the first day of the trip, the teens received a rundown of what they had to expect for the weekend. Our teens started out by performing their roll call rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Over the next few days the teens experienced many different aspects of Keystone. The conference included seminars and motivational speakers such as Tupperware CEO Rick Goings, professional surfer Brittany Hamilton, and Gabe Salazar, who inspired the teens to do more. Seminars also included celebrities Ashanti, Vanessa and Angela Simmons, daughters of famous Run DMC rapper Reverend Run and creators and owners of Pastry. Both spoke of their ventures and struggles in life and how important it is to chase after your dreams.
Keystone members Kelsey and Staci also gave back to the community of Orlando by performing off- site community service projects at a local elementary school that included painting benches, picnic tables, and lines on the playground. They also helped by painting addresses on local homes. Although the conference was about learning and gaining information for Keystone, it wasn’t just business; fun and games were also included. There was a night of face painting, balloon animals, laser tag, bounce houses, dancing, talent show, and video games. The teens also enjoyed performances from Rapper J. Cole, Mindless Behavior, the Chicago Bucket Boys, Tiffany Evans, and Ashanti.
The trip concluded with an awards ceremony where Laguna Beach Keystone Club Breakers received their first ever nomination for Community Service Club of the year.
Next year, the teens plan on working even harder to become Keystone Club of the Year. The awards ceremony was followed by a fun filled night at Disney’s Magic Kingdom where you could hear Keystone chants throughout the park. The teens in our Keystone Club learned so much and were able to grow through experiencing all of the new opportunities that Keystone has to offer. Many of them are excited to see what next year’s conference in Fort Worth, Texas has to offer.
Boys & Girls Club members Danny Carlton, Alexa Yubeta & Education Director Karen Crumlich
Laguna Joins National Celbration for Boys & Girls!
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Laguna Beach joins more than 4000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country in celebrating National Boys & Girls Club Week March 21-25, 2011.
The fun begins on Monday, March 21! This year, the Clubs’ week-long celebration will kick off with a bang. In an effort to continue the Club’s commitment to providing health education and active programming, all Club members are invited to participate in a “Family Zumba Fitness” class for free! ”Zumba” is a one of a kind cardio-dance exercise program with instructor, Mia Alicea, who bring’s authenticity and Latin flavor to her routines. Our TLC Branch will devote the day to music with their Music Mania Day. Members will enjoy Just Dance, singing to karaoke and creating a talent show.
Also on Monday, the Club’s Main Branch members are participating in the TrashARTist challenge. Club kids have been collecting trash that will be turned into art! TrashARTist creations are then submitted and a select few will be featured in a special exhibition at MUZEO in Anaheim. Winners will also receive special awards and prizes.
On Tuesday March 22, at 3:30 p.m. PST, the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach will join thousands of Boys & Girls Club members across the country as we attempt to set a new Guinness world record. Every Club member is encouraged to take part by performing Star Jumps (Jumping Jacks) simultaneously for two consecutive minutes. Training for this historic event is already underway and the excitement is building.
On Wednesday March 23, Club kids will be able to create their very own tie dye t-shirt. Emily Murray, Club Art Director, runs this favorite T-shirt project. She said, “It is so great to see the kids getting creative with these t-shirts.” Wednesday also marks the selection of our “Staff” for the day. Club kids are interviewed by a staff and in a rare opportunity the kids get to be a staff for the day! This is a favorite amongst the kids. TLC will be holding an “Outdoor Adventure” that transforms Bluebird Park into Survivor Island with physical group challenges concluding with an outdoor barbeque.
Thursday March 24 is a favorite for the boys! It’s our very special “Paper Airplane Competition.” Club members spend countless hours perfecting their paper airplanes and pay special attention to the aerodynamics of their famous flyers. Competition is tough and the Club kids’ know one little mistake and their plane is in peril. A special Paper Airplane course turns our gym into an “amazing race” course. TLC will be holding their Mad Science Day in the park. Members and staff will enjoy various scientific activities and “blow up” midweek boredom with their wacky experiments
Friday concludes the festivities with Main Branch’s famous Mega Bubble activity. Ever see a kid get bubble wrapped? Come down to the Club and watch it for yourself (See picture). TLC will end BGC week with their annual sleepover. Club kids change it up by playing flashlight tag at night and hanging with their best buds for an unforgettable sleepover extravaganza!
“This is our most exciting celebration yet,” said Nick Robitaille, Assistant Branch Director. “We are so proud of the rich diversity of programs and benefits our Club provides to our young people. With thousands of local Clubs and millions of youth served nationwide, the Boys & Girls Club Movement is growing every day and it’s wonderful to turn the spotlight on our local Club.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Laguna Beach have been an integral part of Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, and the surrounding communities for over 50 years. Originally starting out in a small shack on Main Beach, this community’s Club has grown to annually serve over 1,400 boys and girls, ages 3-18, with a rich array of high quality programs which promote the positive development of healthy behaviors, ethical values, academic achievement, creativity and cultural appreciation in young people.
For more information about Boys & Girls Club membership, please contact Elena Mendoza, Branch Director at 949-494-2535×105.
