Boys and Girls Clubs offer activities old and new for summer

With major fundraising events completed, organizers and the people they mentor are looking to longer summer hours filled with learning, discovery, and fun at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bluffton and Hilton Head.

During the coming months, staff will offer access to opportunities from the recently developing hands-on programs of study in drone operation, robotics, and artificial intelligence to recreational summer camp activities such as tennis.
During the season of full day operations, members will be able to take scheduled 40-minute classes on a variety of topics.

These classes are augmented by field trips out in the community that expose club members to experiences from outdoor activities to performing arts. Boys and Girls Clubs promote growth and opportunity in five core areas—education and career development, character and leadership, health and life skills, the arts, and fitness and recreation.

Director of the Bluffton club Molly Hornbeak and Ryan Wise, director of the Hilton Head club, share a passion and a sense of mission in what they do.

“It all starts with the mission,” says Wise, “to give everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

“The more you’re here, the more you realize how much you can impact these kids,” he observes.

Hornbeak explains, “This is not a baby-sitting service. We are definitely molding the future.” Of those club members they mentor, she says “We are preparing them for the world.” In this endeavor, Wise and Hornbeak both give high praise and credit to their respective staffs.

Wise estimates the average member of the Boys and Girls Club stays in the program between four and five years. To prepare them for life after those years, both clubs focus heavily on workforce readiness.

“They develop real world skills that make them employable,” Wise explained. Club members can also learn a variety of trades during their class periods at the club as a viable alternative to a traditional college path.

At the Bluffton club, they are also working to get participants ready for success. Hornbeak talks with pride and excitement about their job skills training and especially the Dwaine Willett career launch job fair event this month.

“I’ve seen people hired on the spot,” she said of the alumni of this program. In terms of their marketability, she adds “I have requests all the time.” She explains they learn skills such as interviewing and how to “dress for success.”

While Hornbeak relishes the chance to talk about the many successful programs at the Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton, she says a particular favorite is the Explorers L.E.A.D. program. In partnership with the Bluffton Police Department, this program introduces participants to all aspects of law enforcement, also teaching leadership and good citizenship, according to Hornbeak.

“Many of our graduates have joined police forces.”

Wise is quick to emphasize that the Boys and Girls Club is for every child and teen regardless of background.

“These programs are designed to appeal to all kids and to a range of ages. We want everyone.”

“I would have loved to have something like this available when I was a kid,” Wise says. “These are unbelievable opportunities that any kid would love to partake in.”

Channing Heiss is a freelance writer and a member of the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition.