How many times have you heard from teens that there’s nothing for them to do in Sonoma? Well, the Boys & Girls Club has heard, and in response has extended its hours at the Maxwell Clubhouse to provide special programs for Sonoma Valley teens.
The Maxwell Clubhouse at Maxwell Farms Regional Park is now open Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. for teens. The club is open to all youth, ages 6-18, Monday through Friday, from 2 to 7 p.m., but after 7 p.m., the club belongs to the teens.
The Boys & Girls Club offers a variety of programs designed with teens in mind. Keystone Club is a leadership development program that provides service to the club and the community. The Keystone Club is collaborating with the high school leadership class to plan additional activities for high school students. The group meets every Monday evening at 6 p.m. and has space for new members.
Three programs, Clubhouse to College, Clubhouse to Career and Goals to Graduation, help teens prepare for life after high school. Clubhouse staff works with teens on goal setting, filling out college applications and setting up tours, resume-building and job-search skills. Other teen programs include economics, recreation and the arts.
The Intel Computer Clubhouse, located within the Maxwell Clubhouse, is designed especially for teens and provides opportunities for success through the use of creativity and technology. Housed within the computer clubhouse is a Lego robotics lab; design stations for Web design, graphic design and, animation; a video-production lab; and a recording studio. Many teens visit the ICC to use the recording studio – a professional studio that provides everything needed to create a quality CD, including instruments, software and instruction. The Intel Computer Clubhouse is open daily, for teens only, beginning at 6 p.m.
Current schedule:
Monday: Cooking classes. To help prepare teens for life after high school, the cooking classes focus on preparing healthy and delicious food on a tight budget.
Tuesday: Merchandising workshop. This workshop provides teens with the skills and opportunity to turn their creative interests into a profitable business.
Wednesday: Open gym. The gym is open to teens only for both basketball (half-court) and volleyball.
Thursday: Jam session. Grab your guitar and come to the recording studio to make some music. All skill levels and genres welcome.
Friday: Movie night. Join us for movies, pizza and popcorn.
The Boys & Girls Club also offers opportunities and guidance for teens who need to complete volunteer hours to meet requirements for class credit or senior projects and welcomes teen volunteers who are interested in gaining work experience.
For more information on the programs, visit the Maxwell Clubhouse at 100 Verano Ave., or contact Marjorie Doran, director of operations, at 707.938.8544, ext. 105, or Shelley Lopez, community outreach coordinator, at 707.938.8544, ext. 112. For information regarding the Intel Computer Clubhouse, contact James Conners, computer clubhouse coordinator, at 707.938.8544, ext. 118.
Alondra is an 11 year old 5th grader from Sassarini Elementary school. She was chosen because of her courteous and helpful nature at the Maxwell Clubhouse. Photo submitted.
Maxwell Clubhouse Member of the Month for January 2009:
Alondra Sanchez
If Alondra were president: “I would make people start riding their bikes more to reduce pollution.”
Alondra’s favorites:
Animal: Panda
Music: Hip hop
Color: Red-violet
Shoes: Vans
Sport: Soccer
Food: Pizza
School subject: Math
Alondra is an 11-year-old 5th-grade student at Sassarini Elementary School. She was chosen because of her courteous and helpful nature at the Maxwell Clubhouse. Alondra participates in many Boys & Girls Club activities, including Torch Club (small-group leadership development program) and Sports Club. She also volunteered for the Winter Cleanup Day, making and serving food to community volunteers. Alondra has been a Boys & Girls Club member since the 2nd grade.
