By Suzanne Wentley

Outreach Coordinator

Boys & Girls Clubs of MartinCounty

There's only one summer "job" that also guarantees teens interaction with positive adult role models and helps them develop a sense of pride and responsibility, while also teaching the joys of community service - and that's a volunteer Junior Staff position at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County.

With summer camp at the Clubs beginning on June 16, scores of teens throughout MartinCounty will be vying for these very sought-after posts - a mark of the leadership skills and service learning encouraged each day at the Clubs.

"It's hard. You do everything the staff does," said Jonathan Owens, a 15-year-old Club member who was a Junior Staffer last summer. "You help with homework, report problems, keep order. And if the younger kids are having trouble, you talk to them like a mini-counselor."

The Junior Staff program is just one of many initiatives the trained youth development staff focus on during our low-cost summer camps. Club members also receive individualized academic tutoring, art classes, healthy cooking lessons, sports tournaments and fun, educational field trips to places like the Palm Beach Zoo and the Schoolhouse Children's Museum in Delray Beach.

As a result, the Boys & Girls Clubs is the premier advocate of children on the Treasure Coast, working to enable and inspire all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as responsible, caring and productive citizens.

However, recent tax cuts has made funding the summer program - which costs only $250 per child for the entire summer and is run five days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - much more difficult. Extended hours result in increased costs, but membership fees remain some of the lowest in the county. No child is turned away for a parent's inability to pay.

Without the help from Martin County residents who care and are willing to invest in our community's children, programs like the Junior Staff initiative are jeopardized. And that can impact the future of our community.

"The Junior Staff program teaches the kids career development," said Rhonda McGahee, the Clubs' area director. "We find out what they want to do, and if we can match it, we'll do that."

Club members who are at least 12 years old can create resumes and apply for positions at the Club like Social Recreation Assistant, Technology Assistant, Front Desk Assistant, Food Service Assistant and Learning Center Assistant. Junior Staff also organize and participate in two community service projects, like a visit to a nursing home or a beach cleanup.

But Jonathan said the best parts of being a Junior Staffer are the perks. These volunteers are rewarded with a special field trip at the end of the summer, either camping or a theme park. Plus, they feel like they're making a difference each day -- while having fun.

"I like helping with the hip-hop dance team," he said. "And you get to be in the cook-off!"

To sponsor a child during summer camp and allow our community's children to learn and play all year long, please call the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County's administrative offices at (772) 545-1255.