The cheerful sound of children playing games at a playground on Waller Street can be heard through the blocks of the surrounding neighborhood. Some children challenge others to a contest on the swings, seeing who can go the highest. Some enjoy the thrill of doing flips on the equipment, showing off their acrobatic skills to their friends.
It must be Free Friday at the Boys and Girls Club of Plant City, a carefree time for the kids to just be kids.
“I could not ask for a better group of kids and a better group of staff workers,” Mary Pearson, the club’s program director, said.
Pearson has worked as the club’s program director for about a year and one half. She always reminds the students of an important mantra: They are one big family.
Though Pearson plans learning opportunities, field trips and events for the club year-round, there is one particular week of the year when her creative planning skills fully shine: Boys and Girls Club Week.
Each year, the club designates Boys and Girls Club Week as a time for special events and activities for the students. This year, Boys and Girls Club Week will be Monday, March 30, through Thursday, April 2.
Monday’s theme is “Around the World.” Students will receive passports and collect stamps as they complete activities in which they will learn about China, Italy, Mexico and other countries. They will also have the opportunity to try traditional foods from these nations.
Tuesday is Board Member Appreciation Day, and for a fun twist, there will be board games for the children to play with the board members. Cookies and punch will be provided.
Students will enjoy dressing up in crazy accessories on Wednesday, which is Wacky Tacky Sock Day. There will also be a SWAT demonstration by deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
The week will conclude with a bash Thursday. There will be a contest in which students will work with employees to decorate the doors throughout the club’s building. For a sweet treat, students will make their own strawberry shortcake.
There will be no programming Friday, April 3, because of Good Friday and Easter weekend.
LIFE AT THE CLUB
The club currently has about 94 members — twice as many as last year. Though students between the ages of 5 and 18 are allowed to join, 93 of the Plant City club’s current members are in elementary school.
“Mainly, it’s parents telling other parents how much fun their child is enjoying here,” Pearson said.
Attendance also increased through Pearson spreading the word herself.
Throughout the week, students participate in a variety of programs at the club. Topics range from health and fitness, to computers, to drug awareness, and beyond. On Fridays, they are free to play with dollhouses, video games, crafts and more, or expend their extra energy on the playground.
Because of the recent spike in membership, the club now has more children of migrant families than it ever had before. The staff does its best to serve these families despite the frequent language barrier.
“For the most part, the kids will translate if the parents don’t know what I’m saying,” Pearson said.
She also takes care to walk through the application process step-by-step with Spanish-speaking countries, and highlight the most important parts. Recently, the club hired two employees who speak fluent Spanish, which will continue to make things easier for migrant families and their children.
Pearson said one of her biggest desires right now is for more of Plant City’s residents to become familiar with how the club serves the community.
“I would love for people just to stop by and see where we are, who we are, and get a real feel for how we run our programs on a day-to-day basis,” she said. “The kids love visitors.”
Students may join the club at any time. They must go to the club at least three times per week to retain their membership.
Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, Plant City Center
Address: 901 Waller St.
Phone: (813) 707-8490
Website: bgctampa.org
School Year Hours: 2 to 6 p.m.
Summer Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Membership cost per semester: $25
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.