Mayor Tim Meehl has signed a proclamation officially making April 7-13 Boys and Girls Club Week in Perham.
In celebration, the Perham Area Boys and Girls Club is holding special events all week long under the theme, “Growing Great Futures.”
There are hula hoop and limbo contests, suit case races, ‘virtual vacations’ in the computer lab, and other games, activities, guest speakers and fun events for the kids. In addition, member families are participating in a book and food drive throughout the week.
The club is also holding its annual Open House and summer registration this week. Current or past club members were able to re-register Monday through Thursday; new members can register at the Open House on Friday, April 12 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The public is invited to stop by the club during this time, to tour the building and visit with staff members.
Cori Brown, the club’s director, said this summer’s programming will be expanded to include older kids, up through grade eight. These kids will participate in more volunteer opportunities and group excursions, and will have their own separate space to hang out in while at the club.
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“I’m excited about it,” Brown said of opening the program up to older kids. “Kids at that age still need a place to be sometimes, even if it’s not all day, every day.”
In the proclamation, Meehl describes the Perham club and its parent club, the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes, as providing “an assortment of fun, informative and educational programs to more than 200 children combined each day.”
He calls on all citizens to join him in commending the clubs “for providing comprehensive, effective services to the young people in our communities.”
The Perham club offers after-school and summer programming focused on academics, healthy lifestyles, good character and leadership.
According to the proclamation, “Great futures start at Boys and Girls Clubs because of the emphasis on developing confidence, self-esteem, healthy relationships and academic skills in a safe and nurturing environment.”
The Perham club joins thousands of other clubs across the nation in celebrating Boys and Girls Club Week this week.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: A fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of the Perham Area is coming up on Thursday, May 9, at Spanky’s Stone Hearth in Frazee. A social hour will start at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30. The event will feature parent testimonials, a Youth of the Year speaker, and, later in the evening, a dueling pianos show. Tickets are $75, with all proceeds going to the club. Call the club for tickets, at 346-2526.
