By Jennifer Turner
Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Weston Parson splashed nearby kids as he sat waiting in the dunk tank.
“What do you got?” he said, taunting throwers. “I”m not too worried. That guy couldn”t hit the broad side of a barn.”
To Parson”s dismay, the child hit the target on his last throw and sent the director down into the cold water.
The dunk tank, along with many other activities, was run by the Provo Boys and Girls Club in celebration of National Kids Day Friday, August 6.
Children not only played but ran a mini carnival, yard sale and hot dog stand to raise money to make quilts for new born babies at the hospital.
“This is important, because some babies don”t get nice blankets to go home with,” said Tasha, a 13-year-old member of the Boys and Girls Club.
There were also indoor activities, in case participants needed a break from the hot sun. Inside, games of foosball, air hockey and pool took place, along with arts and crafts and games in the computer room.
For the kids who didn”t mind getting wet, a game of water wiffle ball started in the back field. The game was so popular that the children did not want to leave. Two or three of the chilren jumped into the kiddie pool and started rolling around in the water until staff members made them get out.
“This is a good thing for the kids,” said David Owens, a Boys and Girls Club parent. “The club creates fun experiences that keep the kids out of trouble and from sitting in front of the TV all day.”
Owens said parents were encouraged to show up for activities, although it was not required.
Sarah Anderson, a Boys and Girls Club employee, said the children participate in structured activities. She said the club calls it “education disguised as fun.”
During the school year, children do their homework, learn how to write resumes, find out about colleges and even take school-based character education classes.
“This day has grown by leaps and bounds,” said Diane Davenport, Boys and Girls Club programs director.
About 300 kids participated in the club”s activities Friday, confirming the event”s success and growth of the club.
The Boys and Girls Club in Provo has grown slowly to where it is now, with more than 1,500 children participating each year.
Parson said the chapter”s ultimate goal is to get the National Kids Day recognized around the country. Although the day is celebrated in other parts of the country, it is not yet recognized as an official holiday.
“We want to get National Kids Day recognized on the president”s national calendar by 2006,” he said.
If National Kids Day is recognized as a holiday, it will be celebrated every first Sunday of August.
“I hope we make it bigger, where we are able to have the whole community work together,” Anderson said. “We want to let people know we are available.”
