BGC Is More Than a Club

There are many different after-school programs where you can finish homework, get tutoring,  and have fun.  What if I told you there is a club that has it all?  Boys and Girls Club is a wonderful program run by our supervisor Mr. Jio and staff members Ms. Jasmine, Ms. Lily, Ms. Olivia, Mr. Henry, Mr. Cesar, Mr. Kevin, and Ms. Britney.

As a member, the first thing you do after signing in is complete any unfinished assignments.  There is a designated time from 2:30-3:20 PM called Power Hour.  You can get one-on-one help from a staff member, or a fellow student.  If needed, Chromebooks are also accessible. Sadie Gonzalez states, “I finish homework and assignments in power hour.  It gives me the time I need because sometimes I procrastinate my work.”  Often it is hard to manage all your assignments, so it is a great opportunity to make sure you get all your work done.  

Next, after some hard work in power hour, it is snack time.  It ranges from 3:25-3:40 PM and is the perfect time to fill your stomach.  There is food given to us, but you can enjoy snacks brought from home as well.  A specialty BGC offers is pizza every Tuesday—it’s a fan favorite for sure!  Megan Leon says, “Snack is the perfect time for me to socialize with my friends.”  For many students, it is a time to spend with peers as well as cool off from the long day.  

After finishing up, it is finally the long-awaited activity time.  It lasts an hour from 3:45-4:45 PM.  There are many different options to choose from such as cooking, sports, and art.  So if you’re feeling hungry, or have a lot of energy to burn, there will always be something that peaks your interest.  When asked about her favorite part of BGC, Sadie Gonzalez stated, “I would say activity time because it allows us to try fun things and make new friends.”  It is a great opportunity to socialize and experience new things with peers.  Every few weeks there are also home games where another school comes to compete with our BGC sports teams.  Additionally, you can try out for volleyball, basketball, soccer, or football.  If you make it, practice takes place two times a week during our activity time.  Eliza Arroyo states, “The volleyball experience was a very fun opportunity that I wish I could go back and take advantage of.  I made many memories and many connections with teammates I didn’t expect to.”  It is encouraged to step out of your comfort zone and audition for a team because it is a thrilling experience

Lastly from 4:45-5:45 PM, it is teen center time. It is the final part of the day before sign-outs so you have pretty much free will over what to do.  From playing outside to using your phone, you can do about anything!  It is the perfect chance to wind down the day and relax before you go home.  It also is a great opportunity to finish up assignments, draw, do crafts, or do whatever you feel like doing.  You could even practice for whatever sport you plan on joining!  

Overall, the Boys and Girls Club is a fantastic program filled with limitless opportunities to make the most of your time at Fitz.  If you are thinking of joining, you can dial 714-719-1652 for more information.  It spans from 2:30-6:00 PM so if you are interested come give it a try!