FAQs About the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills Located in Southern Pines and Aberdeen, North Carolina

Intended Audience:  Website visitors and onsite visitors via the informational computer terminal in the club’s entrance.  Specifically, parents, teachers, school counselors and community volunteers and donors who have an interest and/or affiliation with the club.

 

Who can attend?

The Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills accepts Moore County children between the ages of 6-18.

What is the cost?

Membership fees are kept low to allow any child to join.  School year membership is $5 and the full day summer program fee is $75.

Is there more than one location?

Yes.  In addition to the main club located at 160 Memorial Park Court off Morganton Road in Southern Pines, the Boys and Girls Club also now provides services at the Aberdeen Elementary School.

What are the hours of the Club?

The Southern Pines Club is open to members Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. during the school year.  The Aberdeen Unit is open from 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.   Summer programming is from 7:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the Southern Pines location.

What type of supervision does the club provide?

Trained, professional adult staff members led by a full-time unit director and an assistant unit director supervise all activities. 

Is transportation provided?

Yes.  The Moore County Schools provide bus transportation from Southern Pines Elementary School, Southern Pines Primary, and Southern Middle Schools.  The Aberdeen Unit operates on the premises of the Aberdeen Elementary School, requiring no transportation for Aberdeen Elementary students.

Are meals provided?

The Kid’s Café provides home-cooked, nutritious meals everyday for no extra charge.  Lunch and dinner are provided during the summer program.  The cost for both meals is included in the $75.00 summer program fee.

What type of activities do the children participate in?
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sandhills offers activities in five core program areas:

 

• Character and Leadership Development
• Education and Career Development
• Health and Life Skills
• The Arts
• Sports, Fitness and Recreation

 Specific program details are listed below:

·   Power Hour- A homework help program for members age 6-12. 

·   Smart Moves- An education/ prevention program addressing drug abuse, use of alcohol, and pre-mature sexual activity.

·   Keystone Club & Torch Club-Age specific leadership development groups that focus on community service.  Keystone Club is designed for members age 14-18, Torch Club for members age 11-13.

·   Triple Play Healthy Habits-A program that equips club members with crucial skills needed to become healthy, fit and successful adults.

·   First Tee- A golf program in collaboration with the USGA.

·   First Garden- A community garden project in collaboration with FirstHealth of the Carolinas.

·   Girl Scouts- Scouts work on arts & crafts with female Club members.

·   Youth for Unity- A program designed to help youth cultivate individuality, build cultural identity, and appreciate diversity. 

Is the club affiliated with the school system or a church?

No.  However, the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills collaborates with schools in the Moore County School system.  For example,  teachers from Southern Pines Elementary provides three teachers each evening to tutor members at the club. 

There is not a formal affiliation with any local church, yet  churches may support the club through volunteer services and donations. 

The Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills’ only formal affiliation is with the national organization, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.  The BGCS is one of 4,300 club locations in 50 states.  More than 4.8 million boys and girls are served through the clubs on a national basis.

How many kids attend the club?

The club serves about 875 Moore County youth each year with an average daily attendance of 190 youth per day during the school year and 135 per day in the summer program.

How can I get involved?

Volunteers and Board of Director members are always welcomed and needed by the BGCS.  Please contact our office at 692-0777 for more information.  Also, the club is dependent on charitable donations from community members to fund its operating expenses.  Please consider including the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills in your charitable giving and volunteer time.

 

 

Note:  I recently joined the Board of Directors for this Boys and Girls Club.  I am in the process of creating an awareness/donor campaign on radio, television and the local newspaper.  They have a website that needs some work so I hope to be able to make a contribution in this area, as well.  That is why I chose this subject versus my previous projects. By the way… What a wonderful organization!

 

Revision Note: incorporated your comments and suggestions.  Added hyperlinking.