Area kids make trip to Yellowstone

Some truly blessed kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound got the opportunity of a lifetime. Through a gift by a couple of anonymous donors a select group of 21 Club members from Lakewood, Tacoma, Spanaway, North Mason, Bremerton, and South Kitsap took an all expenses paid journey to Yellowstone National Park August 16-20. The Club members, who are all 5th graders, were led by five Boys & Girls Clubs staff members and two Yellowstone Association Instructors in learning about and experiencing wildlife, ecology, and geography.

Before leaving for Yellowstone, the kids and staff visited Northwest Trek and went hiking at Point Defiance. These activities helped them prepare for what they would encounter in Yellowstone and helped the group bond.

For many of the kids, this trip to Yellowstone was full of firsts. Some had never been on an airplane before and others had never experienced wildlife, having grown up in the city. "This was awesome, my parents are proud of me and it was fun meeting new people and making friends. I saw things that I never knew or saw before," said Ezequiel of the South Kitsap Branch. The kids spent the five days in Yellowstone hiking, observing animals in nature, journaling, drawing, reflecting, and learning about the importance of national parks. At the end of the trip, all the kids were awarded Junior Ranger badges.

This trip was truly life-changing for the kids. "I came here with vast knowledge but came back as a Junior Ranger. It has been my dream to go to Yellowstone since 3rd grade. I have memories that I will remember for the rest of my life. My favorite part was waking up every morning and seeing just the most wonderful and most amazing thing ever,” said Christopher of the Cheney Family Branch in Gig Harbor. Shaianne of the Lakewood Branch is thankful for the opportunity she was given. “I will remember this trip for a lifetime. This meant a lot to me. My favorite part was going to the hot springs.”

Beth Wallace, Bremerton Branch Director and chaperone for the trip, is glad she was able to be a part of this life-changing experience. "This trip not only changed our perception of grizzly bears and bison, and how we experience them in their natural world, but also how we perceive each other by the way we interact outside our comfort zones. I feel so fortunate to be a part of something so special to the lives of the kids who came to Yellowstone."

Thank you to the donors and to all of our investors who help provide these life-changing opportunities for our kids.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound serves over 11,000 children and teens at 9 branch Clubs as well as 7 outreach sites throughout Pierce, Kitsap and Mason Counties. The Clubs offer programs designed to enhance personal growth and education, tutoring, computer skills, delinquency prevention, the arts, sports training, league involvement and much more. Through quality professional staff and a fun positive environment, the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound assist thousands of kids to develop much needed life skills, self-esteem and positive values. For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, please call (253) 502-4600 or visit their website at BGCSPS.ORG.

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