THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 27, 1995 TAG: 9507260120
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FRANKLIN LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
ARE YOUR SCHOOL-AGE children experiencing a midsummer slump? Complaining that there's nothing to do?
To remedy this problem, agencies that deal with youth have banded together and introduced a six-week summer program to provide both recreation and education to children in the Franklin area. Those involved are the STOP organization, Franklin Department of Redevelopment and Housing, Franklin Police Department, Paul D. Camp Community College and private businesses, churches, schools and individual volunteers.
``It's the first time so many agencies have worked together to provide a positive experience for the kids,'' said Waverly Lawrence, director of the Franklin Department of Parks and Recreation. ``Schools have remedial classes for the gifted and talented, but there is nothing for average students. We are leaving out kids in the middle, and we need to start attracting them to programs again.''
The STOP organization in Norfolk contracted with Roscoe Brown, president and founder of the Youth Services Corp. in Virginia Beach, to develop a summer program for children. This resulted in Camp B.A.N.G. (Building a New Generation), which is designed to meet the challenging needs of young people today - not just to entertain them, but to inspire them by teaching life skills.
Since the program began in Franklin in June, 95 children have enrolled at the Sportsman Center on South Street. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, campers can experience arts and crafts, miniature golf, swimming lessons and games on a daily basis.
``The program is not all about fun and games but is educational as well,'' Lawrence said. ``We are all at risk - not just the underprivileged kids. We would like to reach all the citizens.''
For an hour each morning, children, ranging in age from 11 to 17, are separated into groups to participate in YES - Youth Experiencing Success. There are classes involving hygiene, self-esteem, character-building and conflict resolution. Breakfast and lunch are provided and catered by Larry Rose, owner of R&G Grocery on South Street.
``We are set up to feed 100 eligible children based on federal guidelines, but no one is turned away because they don't qualify,'' Lawrence said. ``The recreational activities are open to anyone in the city. Parents want to know their kids will be in a sheltered activity for four or five hours daily.''
``For the past three years, STOP has provided a feeding program,'' said program coordinator Margie Green, ``but the children expressed a desire to have some recreation. We work with the children - teach manners and self-awareness. We give them something positive to do.''
From September through May, Green is an education instructor for the STOP organization, helping those who want to further their education or receive a GED high school equivalency diploma.
Several Franklin agencies are involved in fund-raising for B.A.N.G, while others also supply workers. Those from the Franklin Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Summer Youth Employment Training Program, and the Police Department assist with the daily program.
``As an extension of the D.A.R.E. program, the Police Department supplies workers from time to time,'' Lawrence said. ``They assist in any needs we have: pass out lunches and participate in games. It's surprising to the kids to see a police officer play Monopoly. They have the opportunity to beat a police officer in Uno or Monopoly, and that's a big thing to them.''
Before the camp ends, there will be a picnic in Franklin and trips to Norfolk, Lawrence said.
In August, each participating agency will send several children to the weeklong Camp B.A.N.G., sponsored by Youth Services Corp., at St. Mary's College in Maryland. In addition to education, recreation and sports training, campers will tour historic St. Mary's City and go on nature explorations by St. Mary's River.
``Next year, we want to get more children involved,'' Lawrence said. ``We have learned to operate the program without a lot of money. Some parents have volunteered, and we've had good feedback from the public.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Margie Green is the coordinator of Camp B.A.N.G., a summer program
that serves 95 children.
by CNB