BGCG CONNECTIONS
Fall 2021
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Dear BGCG Friends,
What an exciting time this is at Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich! Having completed a fun-filled summer at all three Summer Camps (Camp Simmons, Clubhouse, Teen Camp), BGCG welcomed new and old members back to the Club in September with great energy and excitement. The after-school program reached pre-pandemic numbers, and our incredible Youth Development Professionals met the growing numbers of kids with great enthusiasm and eagerness. Our Fall evening enrichment programs filled quickly and are well underway, while our Winter Session sign-ups are just around the corner.
Fall 2021 has also seen challenges for kids and parents alike. The pandemic, while improved, still impacts our operations but, more significantly, our kids. Mental health concerns have been amplified during the pandemic. Today’s youth face unprecedented levels of anxiety resulting from the collective toll the past 18 months have taken on them and their families. Our Youth Development Professionals work tirelessly to provide a positive environment at the Club and help our kids build strong relationships. BGCG strives to live our five core values of inclusion, safety, respect, accountability, and teamwork every day, and we continue to be the place where youth go to find their greatness.
Thank you for believing in our mission through your support, and entrusting your children to us when school is out.
With gratitude,
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IMPORTANT DATES
The next few months are packed with activities for our members, families, and community. Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events and important dates:
- November 16, Winter Program Registration Opens
- November 23, Thanksgiving Feast - 4:00-6:00pm, no evening programs
- November 24, Early Release 12:30-5:00pm, Club closes @ 5:00pm
- November 25-26, Thanksgiving Break, CLOSED
- December 4, Pancake Breakfast, 8:00-9:00am, 9:45-10:45am (Registration REQUIRED - to come)
- December 6 & 7, Early Release, OPEN 12:30-6:00pm
- December 9, Club closes at 5:30pm
- December 16, Member Holiday Party, 4:00-6:00pm
- December 17, Fall Evening Programs End
- December 23, Early Release OPEN 12:30-5:00pm, Club closes @ 5:00pm
- December 24-25, Christmas, CLOSED
- December 27-30, Christmas Break, OPEN 8:00am-5:00pm
- December 31- January 1, New Years, CLOSED
- January 10, Winter Programs Begin
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Cristina Vittoria
CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich
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New Website Translation Feature
We're happy to announce that our website now has the ability to translate the site's content into more than 50 languages. You'll find the translate button on the top right of our homepage - simply click on "Select Language."
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3 GREAT Summer Camp Experiences
THE 2021 SUMMER CAMP SEASON WAS A TRUE SUMMER BREAK!
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This summer at Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, children put behind the stress of the past school year and experienced joy and discovery at our three summer camps. Led by an incredibly talented staff, our campers enjoyed a true summer break full of varied recreational activities.
Clubhouse Camp
Our home on Horseneck Lane pulsed with enrichment activities and fun this summer. Theme weeks and off-site trips kept every day exciting!
Camp Simmons
The sprawling facility out at Camp Simmons was a welcome opportunity for campers to enjoy outdoor adventure on every acre.
Teen Camp
Our adventuresome teens stayed active and took Island Beach ferry trips, experienced laser tag, tried boating at Camp Simmons, and volunteered in the community.
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After-School Programming
THE FALL SEASON IS OFF TO A GREAT START!
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Our members were eager to start a fall semester of after-school and enrichment programs at the Clubhouse. While no two days are ever the same, Club members have the opportunity to enjoy an entire afternoon and evening at the Clubhouse. On a typical day after school, youth arrive at the Club by bus, eat a healthy snack and participate in supervised games, tutoring, sports, or arts & crafts. Additional enrichment activities, such as swim lessons, soccer, financial literacy instruction, computer programming, and STEM classes, are included in the $75 annual membership fee. While the Club’s programming offers a full array of activities to choose from, there’s always time to get homework done and to spend time hanging out with friends.
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On the evening of Friday, September 17, member and non-member families filled the Clubhouse with a buzz of excitement for BGCG’s Family Open House. Attendees had the opportunity to meet BGCG’s staff and learn about our after-school, evening enrichment, and school vacation programs. Those who were new to the Club were given a tour of the facility by our teen leaders, seeing our gym, field house, pool, teen center, and academic suite. Members enjoyed hearing about expanded STEM program options and spending time with our dedicated program staff.
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BGCG is proud to announce that our KidTalk Counselor, Mariana Martins, is now working full-time to serve the social and emotional needs of our members. Made possible through funding from Kids in Crisis, our KidTalk services include one-on-one and group counseling to youth struggling with anxiety, depression, bullying, family conflict, academic issues, grief/loss, substance abuse issues, abuse/neglect, and lack of basic needs. Mariana holds a Master's Degree from Sacred Heart University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Connecticut State University. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
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BGCG KICKS OFF THE SEASON WITH TWO SPECTACULAR EVENTS
ANNUAL BENEFIT: MOONLIT IN MYKONOS - Friday, September 10
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Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich held its 23rd Annual Gala, Moonlit in Mykonos, to benefit the youth of Greenwich. This Greek-island themed party was led by co-chairs Lisa Errico, Samantha Mollett, Ashlee Morningstar, and Erin Stern. Attendees from the community spent the evening event enjoying amazing Mediterranean cuisine, signature cocktails, and dancing the night away to support our after-school programs.
The benefit committee, patrons, supporters and sponsors including Bloomberg Philanthropies, Titan Advisors, Brescome Barton, Citadel, and WorldQuant Foundation helped raise much needed funds to keep Greenwich youth safe and productive in the hours between school and home.
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MUDDY UP 5K - Sunday, October 3 |
The 9th Annual Muddy Up 5K Family Run & Walk was a mud-tastic event held at Camp Simmons, BGCG’s 77-acre wilderness property on Lake Avenue. Runners and walkers enjoyed acres of trails, trees, obstacles, and MUD! Attendees included school teams from Brunswick, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich Country Day School, Greenwich High School Field Hockey, Greenwich Catholic, Whitby, as well as many families and individuals.
BGCG thanks its many volunteers and incredibly generous sponsors, including Brewer Foundation, Lipton, Citadel, Bimbo Bakeries, Mavis Discount Tire, Stone Point Capital, Titan Advisors, Turner Construction, the Weinberg Family, the Loverro Family, Tourmaline Partners, Parkman Healthcare Partners, Active Wellness Partners, the Wyand Family, Greenwich Braces, LB Squash, and Punch Fitness Center.
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YOUTH OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION |
Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Club of America’s premier recognition program, encouraging Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic excellence, leading a healthy lifestyle, and embracing the values of leadership and service. Each year, BGCG selects several extraordinary teen members as our Youth of the Year finalists. From these, the individual who most embodies our mission, values, and spirit is selected as our Youth of Year winner and represents our Club in a statewide competition.
Applications open in December.
Ticket information for this April 2022 event is coming soon!
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GIRLS GIVE BACK - Birthday Donations |
What a great gift WE received from two special girls on THEIR birthday! Juliet and Lydia decided that instead of receiving gifts from their friends, they would ask for donations to be made in their honor to support Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. In celebration of turning 9 years old, these thoughtful girls raised $1,000 for BGCG! Thank you!
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Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich
4 Horseneck Lane - Greenwich, CT 06830
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