The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach is excited to announce virtual enrichment programs will be launching soon! While their Laguna Enrichment Centers and El Toro Park Program are currently closed, there have been an astounding number of youths and parents asking when the doors will re-open. “While we can’t commit to date that we will reopen, we can inform everyone that our mission will continue to serve the youth of our communities by offering programs virtually in the coming weeks,” said Pam Estes, CEO.
Age appropriate virtual enrichment programs will be available for preschool through high school aged youth. Programs will encompass 5 program areas: arts; sports; health & wellness; education and leadership. Live stream video instruction and discussion will take place on the digital platform Zoom. Live stream programming will include: Leadership and Service such as Torch Club; Health & Wellness program like SMART Girls; Education programs such as study hall and homework help; art classes and even a Virtual Teen Center where teens have a safe place to socialize and collaborate. The virtual enrichment programming will also include a video library that includes instructional skills in basketball and baseball, story time for Kinders, virtual workouts, yoga and meditation.
“We are so excited to launch our virtual enrichment programs,” said Estes. “The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach provides such vital resources for the youth and families in our community. Since the decision to close our doors in wake of COVID-19, we have been imagining and creating how we can extend our services while practicing social distancing. I am amazed by the leadership and ingenuity of our team. Everyone is thinking out of the box and dedicating themselves to continue world class programming in our new norms of life. We feel the launch of virtual enrichment programs will fill the void parents and members have been asking for since our doors closed.”
Consistent, supportive, responsive relationships are key for child development. According to Harvard’s Dr. Shonkoff, “It’s those relationships that can turn toxic stress into tolerable stress.” The team at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach will continue to provide these types of relationships even with COVID-19 interfering with day to day operations.
“We can’t wait to reconnect with our members,” stated Hans Laroche, Branch Director “Not seeing them daily is like part of our family is missing.” “We are continually developing and nurturing relationships with our members. Not being able to be there to support them during such difficult times is really tough on all of us.”
“A pilot test for virtual programming will be running next week,” explained Danny Panduro, Program Director. “We will be announcing an official start date after we complete this test.” “Our Virtual Enrichment Programs will be offered to all youth, not just our current members, free of charge with parent consent.”
For more information follow the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach on Instagram and Facebook or visit their website, bgclagunabeach.org.
About The Club
The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach service area includes Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest and the surrounding communities. We offer a nationally recognized and award-winning year-round Out-of-School enrichment program that focuses not only on the whole child but on the whole family. For nearly 70 years the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach offers an array of programming that focuses on leadership development, health & wellness, academic success and creative expression.
For more information about The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, visit: www.bgclagunabeach.org.
Laguna Canyon Enrichment Center
1085 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949-494-2535
Bluebird Enrichment Center
1470 Temple Terrace, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949-494-7630
Submitted By:
Jennifer Costales
Community Engagement Director
Photo Credit: Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach
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