It Just Takes One Newsletter   -August 2015
Enabling & Inspiring Youth to Reach Their Full Potential in a Safe and Nurturing Environment.
                                                                                                                                       
It Just Takes One


Young Entrepreneurs Giving Back

     
The (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) SMART Girls, ages 10-12, at the Bella Vista Unit came up with the idea of having a bake sale to benefit the Bella Vista Animal Shelter as a way of giving back to their community. The girls baked over 100 cookies and prepared for the sale by making signs and flyers with a description of what cookies they were selling and where the money was going. The girls ran the bake sale independently as a group. Not surprisingly, they sold every single cookie and raised over $100 to give to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter. The SMART Girls are currently planning a trip to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter to personally present the money they raised so they can see and experience how the funds will impact the community.



HLM Teen Center, Rogers Unit, and Bella Vista Unit Keystone Club members participated in Camp Old Navy on Wednesday, July 22nd.  This is an annual event that provides the youth with real life work experiences. The Keystone Club members were divided into groups and learned different skill positions offered at Old Navy stores. They had opportunities to run the cash registers, put together and clothe manikins, size and stock clothing, run the fitting rooms, and pick out appropriate clothes to wear to an interview. The Club members learned how to appropriately greet and help customers and went through an application and interviewing process. After all their achievements, they were rewarded with lunch bought by the Old Navy staff. The manager Daniela and her employees were very helpful and informative and worked very well with our Keystone members.  Thank you Old Navy!
 


SMART Kids Get Smarter


The Skills Mastery and Resistance Training  Kids program  for kids ages six through nine (SMART Kids) is a national character education program. This group of McKinney Unit SMART kids also participated in the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County's ongoing STEM program.  The program encourages interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.  The SMART kids got a bit smarter when they created homemade sidewalk chalk and used it to draw figures on concrete.  The fun part, however, was to watch it erupt when they added vinegar to it!   

 

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Your Gift of $25 per month for a year
can sponsor a "club kid"!   Donate Here
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As part of the Club's emphasis on getting kids interest in STEM subjects, the McKinney Unit Sparks Club kids were challenged to build the tallest structure using nothing but marshmallows and noodles. Sparks is a character and leadership group for kids nine to eleven. The kids met with varying degrees of success, but all enjoyed trying.  After all, it had to be fun if marshmallows were involved.

 
Summer Learning Program Winds Down


This year ninety kids in Kindergarten through sixth grades enrolled in the summer Learning Math program and an additional ninety-two children enrolled in the Summer Learning reading program.  The program engages youth in fun activities along with providing support and instruction.  The reading program focused on fluency this summer, but also spent time on improving comprehension, understanding phonics, increasing vocabulary and sharpening spelling skills. Of the kids enrolled in the summer reading program, no child experienced summer reading loss, while nearly half experiences some gain as measured by the Developmental Reading Assessment pretest and post test.  The program is supported by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation along with grant support from the Dollar General Literacy Program and is part of the Club's academic success programs.  

Keystone Club Plans Bright Futures
 
The Keystone Club went to College of the Ozarks in Hollister, MO for their 1st College tour of the summer.  The group was given a tour of the university by a college representative.  Members learned they could, potentially, graduate debt-free through enrolling in the college's work study program - paying their tuition, books, room and board expenses.  Following this visit the Keystone Club members also toured the U. of A. Fort Smith.
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Can You Help a Youth Reach Their Potential? 
Caring Adults are needed to be trusted guides to middle school age youth.  If you can commit 1 -hour per week to be a mentor to a youth who needs you, inquire HERE.
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 Click HERE to see Boys & girls Club of Benton County Featured on KNWA's "
Doing Good"  
  
2015 Mobil 1 Classic

Date: Friday, October 23rd
Location: Kingswood & Berksdale Golf Courses

For information contact Shauna Collins HERE

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Thank you Smithfield Farms, 2015 Football Sponsor 
 
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Dove Self-Esteem Project  
Presents - Sparks Self-Esteem Summit


Girls from Boys & Girls Club of Benton County are invited to join us for an inspiring workshop, led by Jess Weiner, to empower each of them to develop a positive relationship with the way they look - helping them to raise their self-esteem and realize their full potential.

When: Saturday Sept. 19th, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Where: McKinney Unit - 2801 N. Walker, Bentonville

Space is limited -Sign her up by Sept. 4
RSVP to [email protected]
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Boys & Girls Club of Benton County is a

Agency

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DEVELOPING HEALTHY CHILDREN
WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL &
MAKE POSITIVE LIFE CHOICES

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