A Positive Alternative
By Tracy Rolling

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego Ramona Branch held their 17th Annual Ramona Golf Tournament September 13 at the San Vicente Inn & Golf Club. Lori Woosley and Lee Dickman handed out the awards for the many contests held. Photo by Darrel Kinney

With school back in session, Ramona youngsters are sure to be brimming with energy and looking for after-school activities that will keep them stimulated, motivated and amused.

They can find all that and more at the Ramona Boys and Girls Club.

For more than 10 years, the club has been offering a safe, positive after-school program for children between the ages of 6 and 18.

Program director Rene Scribner says that for many of the 120 kids that attend daily, it's activities like arts and crafts, computers, group sports, performing arts and the game room that make the club an exciting place to spend time.

Scribner says that members get to choose which activities they would like to participate in, and add there are two and one-half hours set aside daily for Home Work Club and Power Hour, programs dedicated to helping students complete their homework.

Winner of the golf tournament putting contest was Dave Lacey. Photo by Darrel Kinney

In addition to seasonal camps, field trips and organized sports such as the Recreational Basketball League (registering now through Oct. 27), the club hosts a teen program on Friday nights. Teens in sixth through 12th grade are invited to participate in a variety of social events such as dances, egg hunts, wacky game nights and more.

In cooperation with the Ramona Unified School District (RUSD), the club is the last bus stop for most schools. There is also van transportation for a small fee.

Membership is $60. The club is funded by state and local grants, in addition to donations made by businesses, individuals and through an annual fundraiser golf tournament, which was held last month at San Vicente Resort.

Club hours are from 2 to 6 p.m. daily, with the exceptions of a few extended programs. The club follows the RUSD calendar.

The idea of the Boys and Girls Club of America was born in 1860, when several women from Hartford, Conn., recognized that boys who roamed the streets needed a positive alternative. Since then, the BGCA has come a long way, with more than four million members and 4,000 clubs worldwide.

Last year, as the nonprofit organization celebrated 100 years, actor and BGCA's spokesman Denzel Washington released his first book titled, "A Hand to Guide Me."

The book was quick to gain popularity and shared touching stories from more than 70 public personalities on the importance of mentors.

Washington isn't the only celebrity associated with the BGCA. Scribner says a couple of years ago, San Diego Charger cornerback Quentin Jammer visited the site and signed autographs.

For more information about the Ramona Boys and Girls Club, call 760-788-7564, or visit 622 E St. in Ramona or online at www.sdyouth.org.