The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties was updated on the continuing achievements of the Greene County Boys & Girls Club by Patrice Broughton, B&CG Green County site director and Darrell Corder, site director of the Social Circle B&GC. The doors to the club were opened in June 2011 for kids to participate in its popular summer program. Fall 2011 saw the afterschool program begin with the maximum enrollment of 230 students, ages 6 to 14. Just in its first year of operation, the Greene County Boys & Girls Club boasts the highest daily attendance of all the clubs in the North Central Georgia area.

The Greene County Club is considered an “in school” club, due to its position as part of the Greensboro Elementary School campus. It is housed in the former preschool building and boasts four classrooms, activity areas and a gymnasium.

Each afternoon and evening, from 3 to 7 p.m., students benefit from homework help in “Power Hour.” In addition, they dabble in art, and enjoy recreational activities as well as computer time. A certified teacher and hard working support staff ensures that time spent at the club is beneficial and productive for club members.

Over the course of the summer, 10 members were given the opportunity experience the “Ultimate Journey” at Camp Kiwanis. The “Ultimate Journey” is a program centered around camp activities teaching members about the environment and human impact on the environment. The members who attended camp experienced activities such as kayaking, fishing, swimming and orienteering. Members engaged in team building activities that allowed to them to meet new friends and learn lessons that ultimately became a journey of self-discovery.

As a club in schools, Greene County Boys & Girls Club’s focus is on academic success. It is becoming the liaison between school and home where members can get the help they need to excel in and out of the classroom. In September, the club was given the opportunity to hire three certified teachers to help deliver the Power Hour component of our after school program. Power Hour is an hour of time set aside where members have the chance to complete their homework and get help in the areas they need most. The teachers have added another level of success to the program by identifying those who need extra help in reading and math and providing them with the tools to become better students.

Boys & Girls Club was privileged with Greene County Family Connection to provide a space for teens to go after home football games from 10 p.m. until midnight, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4. This program is called 5th Quarter or Tigers Overtime. Targie Folds, Coordinator for Family Connection secured food, music, and door prizes for those who attended. This gave teenagers a safe place to be and a chance to mingle with friends in a supervised setting. Boys & Girls Club hopes to become the permanent home to Tiger’s Overtime.

Rotary sponsored a Christmas tree, decorated by Designer, Kathy Hinspeter to the B&GC fundraiser, the Festival of Trees (Dec. 3). The tree sold at the event’s silent auction for $500. The club contributed an additional $150 making a total contribution to the B&GC of $650.