People often ask how Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club “inspires and enables all young people to realize their potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens and community leaders of tomorrow.” The answer is as complex as childhood, itself. Afterall, there are so many ways to interpret what it means to be “productive, responsible, caring and a leader” … and there are even more ways in which to accomplish these feats.
The process of growing up is not linear; it is not one or two lessons that make a person who they eventually come to be. Rather it is the collection of experiences and the presence of various role models that shape children on their unique journeys toward adulthood. With this sentiment in mind, our Club provides a wide range of experiences and positive relationships to help children learn, grow, and flourish. Indeed, our programmatic framework is based on five core areas that allow children to explore their interests, build their confidence, and develop a sense of belonging and community. These are: Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health and Life Skills, The Arts, and Sports, Fitness and Recreation.
Oftentimes these core areas are evident through formal programs. But sometimes these values are best imparted when they are woven into simple, seemingly everyday experiences. That’s what happened on Friday, February 5th. On a sunny afternoon between snowstorms, our staff at our Bayville K-5 site felt that it was a wonderful day for a stroll along the Sound. As the weather was sunny and mild, the kids were excited to be near the water to explore and enjoy the fresh air. As they walked along the shoreline, Club staff helped the kids identify interesting objects like shells, sea glass, and fish bones.
Beyond the natural beauty, the kids also observed garbage and debris strewn about. Our staff took this opportunity to discuss the environment and how each person has a responsibility for caring for their surroundings… not just for their own benefit, but for the benefit of all. The kids immediately latched on to the idea of a beach clean-up! When they had done all they could do before the sun went down, one child, Kawaun, remarked that cleaning up was not only important and productive, but also a rewarding way to “hang out with my best buds.”
What I love about a story like this is that it may seem ordinary — children enjoying time with friends, skipping rocks, and cleaning up the beach. But this experience was so much more than kids exploring the great outdoors; it was science, community service, social interactions, and physical exercise all intertwined. In this way, the story of an afternoon outing is quite extraordinary.