Travel Campers spent the week embarking on new adventures, trying new experiences and for some, overcoming fears! Travel Camp took trips to Indiana Zipline Tours, Tropicanoe Cove, Columbian Park Zoo, Dave & Busters, Woodland Bowl, Sugar Valley Tube Float and Zip City!
We are already looking forward to Travel Camp 2022.
Our 12th Annual Caring Hands Camp took place June 7th-11th and July 12th-16th. Caring Hands Camp is a community service-based camp that teaches youth the importance of giving back to their community.
Check out the story on WTHR Channel 13
Each day had its own theme, Animal Protection, Disability Awareness, Senior Giving, Hunger Relief and Kids for Kids. Campers learn the importance of the theme though partnership with organizations in Boone County and the surrounding areas and then complete service projects to give back.
This year’s partnerships included Boone County Sheriff’s Department’s K9 Unit and Animal Control Division, Oinking Acres, Watch Us Farm, Isaac’s Art Studio, Boone County Solid Waste Management, Crown Pointe Senior Living, The Harvest House, Pack Away Hunger, Isaiah 1:17 House and SAFY.
Campers raised $1,743.00 at their lemonade stand and donated it to the new Isaiah 1:17 House, packed over 10,000 meals to fight food insecurity, created 120 adopt me bandana for the Humane Society, made 120 bird feeders for the residents at Crown Pointe, made 120 stress balls for the clients at BACA, made 24 blankets for children in foster care and donated hundreds of pounds of produce to the animals at Oinking Acres!
Camp is made possible though our generous sponsors at St. Francis in-the-Fields Church, Boone County REMC, Tri Kappa and David and Rosemary Means.
Registration for next year’s Caring Hands Camp opens March 1st at 7am.
Polo in Zionsville on Friday, July 23 was a huge success. The Boys & Girls Club of Boone County partnered with zWORKS for the third year in a row for the event held at the Hickory Hills Polo Club.
Over 370 cars paid for $40 to enjoy a beautiful evening of Polo, candy drop, DJ and tailgating to benefit these two charities. 18 tailgate spots were pre-reserved for the cost of $300 to include a front row seat to the action, reserved parking for two cars and seating for six.
Thank you to 120 Water and Intelligent Living. Both companies held client and employee appreciation parties at the event.
The Whitestown UPS store owner, Don Barrett has selected the the Boys & Girls Club of Boone County to receive nearly $2,000 worth of books. The UPS store in Whitestown participates in the Toys for Tots Literacy Program. donations made to the store are utilized to support literacy in the community. 38 boxes of books were delivered to the Whitestown Unit and will be distributed throughout the county.
Since opening the Whitestown location three years ago, Don has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Boone County. We were so blessed by our customers and employees to raise enough money over the holidays to be able to direct our donation. As a long time Boone County resident and parent of former club participants we thought this was a logical choice. They do such great work in our community, says Barrett.
“Thank you to Don and the Whitestown UPS store for stepping up and supporting area youth through this program,” says Mark Branch, Boys & Girls Club of Boone County CEO. During the pandemic, the focus on reading and loss of knowledge has been a program focus for our members.”
About The UPS Store
With more than 4,400 locations, The UPS Store network comprises the world’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers throughout the United States. The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., a subsidiary of UPS. For additional information on The UPS Store, visit www.theupsstore.com.
Over 100 community members gathered to support the inaugural Denim & Diamonds event to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Boone County. Friends mixed and mingled in their blinging denim enjoying delicious food from LA Café and handcrafted beer and drinks from Indy Brew Bus.
The Diamond Dig sponsored by Reis Nichols Jewelers provided a fun, interactive raffle for guests to dig in the sand for a flashing ring. At the conclusion of the program, Mica Wilson’s winning ring was drawn as the grand prize winner taking home a beautiful 18k gold bracelet with diamond accents and clasp.
In addition to the Diamond Dig, a silent auction included gift cards, trips, TY Hilton signed cleats, a signed Chris Stapleton guitar and many other fabulous items was held before and during the event. One Cause on-line bidding provided guests and friends unable to attend the event an opportunity to support the Club.
Boys & Girls Club of Boone County Board President, Adam Krupp states “The inaugural Denim & Diamonds was extremely successful shattering our goal to raise $50,000. The timing of the event with COVID-19 vaccinations on the rise and cases on the decline, guests were able to support the Club in a safe, fun environment. The attendees were excited to be participate in one of the first live post COVID-19 events.”
61% of the organization’s $1.69 million budget is raised from individual donors, special events, corporate sponsorship and grants. The inaugural event raised over $62,000. Half of the funds raised will be utilized for overall Club operations. The additional funds will assist in upgrading the transportation vehicles used to transport the members to and from school and on field trips. The cost for a used bus is over $40,000. The Club hopes to raise the additional funds needed through grants and individual donations. If you are interested in “Getting on the Bus” to replace one of the Club buses, donations are accepted on our website at www.bgcboone.org.
Sponsors for the inaugural event include Witham Health Services, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Eagle Automotive, State Bank of Lizton, Titus Bakery, Blooms by Dragonfly and Reis Nichols Jewelers.
We have a variety of options this summer for you kids. Please read below to learn more about what we’re offering.
There are new themes, STEM, arts and safe field trips will be offered weekly. Attendance is open to all children ages 5-18, regardless of place of residence and offered at all three locations.
It is a 9 week program beginning on Tuesday June 1st and ending on Friday, July 30th. The camp is Monday-Friday 7am to 6 pm.
June 7-11: Caring Hands Camp: Get Out, Give Back!
July 12-16: Caring Hands Camp: Get Out, Give Back!
A new summer experience has arrived at the Boys & Girls Club. Sign your child up for the new specialty camps to improve their social skills and development, all while having fun with their friends. Specialty camps will be based out of the Whitestown Unit.
June 14-18: Bike and Adventure Camp: Keep the Wheels Turning!
June 21-25: Sports Camp: Camp Like a Champion!
June 28 – July 2: Fine Arts Camp: Try Something New and Gogh to camp!
July 19-23: Travel Camp: Never Stop Exploring!
The goal for the Boys & Girls Club for 2021 is to raise over $60,000 to purchase a new bus and assist with transportation expenses.
Please consider making a donation today!
Video produced by our very own staff Ellie and her husband Jarryd.
Please join us in congratulating, Zoe Dolack as our 2020, Boys & Girls Club of Boone County, Youth of the Year!
We are extremely proud of Zoe and fortunate to have her apart of our team as a Youth Development Professional at the very Club she grew up attending! Zoe will go on to compete in the state competition this April! ????⭐️????
We would also like to congratulate the following members:
In lieu of making resolutions for the start of 2021, many people instead chose to select a single word that would keep their attention, something that would motivate and inspire them when things started to look a little bleak. Entering my fifth year on the board, evaluating where our organization fits in the overall landscape of Boone County, I encourage everyone to think about one word when you think about the Boys and Girls Club: community.
At the close of 2020, BGC Boone featured over 2,400 memberships, tracked donations from over 500 households, and continued to provide daily meals to those who needed us the most. We all faced our own personal challenges, but I was inspired by the work our staff performed on a daily basis throughout the year to make sure our children still had a place to laugh, learn, and play safely. We were not unlike other organizations that struggled to navigate 2020’s choppy waters; while our food program soared to all-time highs as we did our part to serve the community, our overall membership numbers predictably dropped. Through it all, our wonderful staff remained focused, committed, and dedicated to your children and our organization’s mission – to enable all area youth, especially those that need us the most, to develop the skills, fitness, and character they need to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. As one example, did you know we have been hosting students as they perform remote learning? We have a team monitoring and encouraging focused participation and completion of all e-learning responsibilities while safely occupying our various facilities throughout Boone County. When it came to the added burdens placed on families via remote education, our organization answered the call and provided a solution for many. If you know anyone in Boone County still struggling to adapt to remote education due to the challenge of work schedules or environmental distractions, please encourage them to consider our services.
How were we able to persevere through 2020 when others were forced to cease operations? Though our community of support. We are proud to do our part for Boone County, but we never lose sight of the fact that we wouldn’t be able to do so without your support. You attend our events, you donate to our cause, and you trust us with your children. For all of that, and on behalf of the entire board and staff, we thank you. Our presence in the community is the epitome of partnership and it inspires us.
You will likely see more outreach and education in 2021 from our organization than ever before. If the past year taught organizations (regardless of location) anything, it’s the power of purpose and focusing on your mission and core values. Personally, I see a growth opportunity for Boys & Girls Clubs in every community. Our children are craving social interaction, and as parents, we are focused on finding places where they can do that safely while being surrounded by positive influences. Here in Boone County, we want to meet those objectives for your family. Following strict COVID-19 related protocol, our staff are ready to serve, mentor, and lead.
Let’s remind each other why Boone County is our community of choice.
Adam Krupp
Board President, Boys & Girls Club of Boone County
During the holiday break, we will provide open gym to the community at our Whitestown Unit from December 21 – 23 and December 28-30
$5 per person, pay at the door.
Spots are limited so register in advance.
Teen Registration:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4dafac2cabf85-winter1
Family Registration:
1575 Mulberry Street
Zionsville, IN 46077
317-873-6670
