Changing Kids' Lives
Did you know that through membership and community outreach, the Boys & Girls Clubs annually serve nearly four million young people in over 4,100 Club facilities throughout the country and BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide? That is quite an accomplishment, and during a time of great need for positive reinforcement for our country’s youth, the importance of what the Club does is more important than ever.
Boys Clubs of Snohomish County began in 1946 to help young boys spend their idle time in constructive athletic and social activities. They have come a long way since then! The Boys & Girls Club of today has several locations throughout Snohomish County, including Edmonds.
The Edmonds Club was the third Boys & Girls Club in Snohomish County. The current building was built in the 1920s and became the Edmonds Boys & Girls Club in 1968. The Club’s purpose is to provide youth between the ages of 5 and 18 a safe, positive and fun environment with a variety of activities.
The Healthy Habits program has been around for several years across the country and has different elements to it, depending on the Club hosting the programs. The Edmonds Boys & Girls Club focuses its Healthy Habits program on sports and nutrition. Sports are throughout the year, except during the summer when they have day camp programs. The nutrition portion of the Healthy Habits program is held in the spring.
The Club of today is not just about keeping idle minds and bodies busy. It is important to remember that youth centers may well be the stepping stone that many children need to remain engaged with their health and education. The Healthy Habits program is completely free to families, and they receive a yearlong Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County membership.
According to an article written by Laura Altobelli, MS for Livestrong.com earlier this year, in 2002 the California Department of Education examined whether any correlation existed between standardized test scores and results from a state-mandated physical fitness exam. In its analysis of data from over 954,000 fifth, seventh and ninth grade students, the study found that students with higher levels of fitness performed better in school. Students who met three or more physical fitness standards experienced the greatest academic gains. This is seen again and again, that the cognitive benefits of team sports and other programs are paramount to engagement for children.
The Healthy Habits sports program provides the opportunity for developing team building skills. These skills are critical in every stage of a child’s life and build self-worth, leading to strong self-esteem. It is equally as critical to leadership growth, which is needed at every stage of development and makes transitions in life much easier for children as they become young adults and on to adulthood.
"At a recent lacrosse game, we brought the group together for a cheer, but before I could even get it going, a couple of older sixth graders took the lead and led the younger kids in the cheer. These particular kids have been in our program for a couple years, and they are now to the point where they lead the younger kids and are positive role models for them. It is really exciting to see their growth over the years,” said Kelli Calvin, Edmonds Boys & Girls Club Healthy Habits Director.
Sports teach critical thinking skills and hand-eye coordination too, and are just plain fun! Children must believe that thinking is fun and want to be good at it. Playing sports provides a great opportunity for this important life skill to develop. The Edmonds Boys & Girls Club takes pride in teaching good sportsmanship which lends itself to healthy personal growth and only healthy competition is allowed.
"I am grateful for the after school sports programs. My kids have been involved in cross-country and now lacrosse, and I am totally impressed with the amazing level of community engagement achieved through these programs. My kids adore their coach, and we are all grateful to have been given the opportunity to be part of something really special," said (parent) Kristen NyQuist.
With parent schedules being hectic and transportation always being a problem, the Edmond’s Club (as well as all others) has the sports program for Healthy Habits at six sites in the Edmonds school district: Westgate Elementary, Lynndale Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, Cedar Valley Community School, Edmonds Boys and Girls Club and Edmonds Elementary.
The Healthy Habits sports program runs year round. Rugby starts in February and goes through March. Track and field is in the spring, during April and May. October and November is the fall cross-country program and there were nearly 130 children enrolled. Lacrosse season is now running and has almost 160 enrolled. Each season is about six to eight weeks long. They consist of practice twice a week and then three Saturdays of games or meets. At each practice the children are given a healthy snack, and get a chance to be active with their friends.
For more information on the Healthy Habits programs, visit the Edmonds Boys & Girls website at: bgcsc.org/snohomish-clubs/edmonds-club/ or call Kelli Calvin, Edmonds Boys & Girls Club Healthy Habits Director at 425.774.0630 or email kcalvin@bgcsc.org.
Together we can change lives. Get involved with the Edmonds Boys & Girls Club in 2016 to help create our future leaders today.
