Boys and Girls Club Keeps Oxford Kids Healthy

Local kids take a break from the hot summer heat.

Oxford’s Boys and Girls Club Keeps Kids Healthy

 Written by: Jon Robertson

       Many locals do not know the actual location of Oxford’s Boys and Girls Club, but their works are not going unnoticed. Located behind Oxford Middle School on 413 Washington Ave., the Boys and Girls Club is providing kids healthy activities throughout the summer.
       Ex-alumni Lamont Watkins is in charge of the Boys and Girls Club in Oxford and knows from personal experience how helpful the program is to the children. “It gave me a place to go when I was a kid in North Carolina, and it gives the kids a positive place to go.” Watkins said. “It also relieves the parents from thinking about if their kid is getting into trouble or running up the electric bill.”
       For kids from kindergarten to high school, the Boys and Girls club provide numerous activities. With two full basketball courts, a computer lab, an arts and crafts center, and plenty of playing area, kids are able to be active. Local volunteers and interns help run age groups and run organized activities like kickball and dodge ball.
       “I’m glad I can come by for a couple of hours and play with these kids and give them a older person to look up to,” said Austin Burke, a Parks and Recreation major at Ole Miss.
       With kids staying busy, they are staying out of trouble. “It just gives the kids something positive to do during their summer days.” Watkins said. The Club also provides breakfast, lunch and a snack to all the kids.
       Kids are broken into age groups as well to spend time at the city pool to get some pool time as well during the summertime. Watkins and helpers are planning summer field trips for the age groups.
       “Some of our teen groups went earlier this week on a field trip to Tupelo to visit the Teen Center.” Watkins said. Watkins continued on about different trips including a skating trip however he did address one problem. Watkins talked about the trouble of dealing with transportation with such a large number of kids and so many different age groups. “With so many kids in our program, it’s hard to do anything with just a 15 passenger van.”
       Watkins talked about the program working on getting larger modes of transportation to take larger numbers on these field trips.
       For decades, the Boys and Girls Club has been a positive environment for young adults to interact in and have healthy active lifestyle. Kids also learn positive leadership skills as well as important social skills that help develope children into successful adults.
      For more information on the Boys and Girls Club in Oxford, Ms contact (662) 832-0602 or visit their national website at www.bgca.org.