Fall Newsletter

www.BeGreatLarimer.org GREAT FUTURES
REPORTOCTOBER 2017

Kathi’s Corner!

Happy Fall! We hope you had a wonderful summer, eased back into school gracefully, and are
appreciating all that Fall brings.

The last quarter, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County, we celebrated lots of successes:

• The Summer Bash held on July 8th was a huge achievement at the new CSU Stadium at Sonny
Lubick Field. The event could not have been possible without our Co-Chairs, Brett Anderson,
CSU, and Marilyn Schock, UCHealth, our gracious sponsors, and wonderful guests!

• We served 1,808 youth this summer providing fun and educational programs

• Our Summer of Summits Program far exceeded our goals and our kids hiked 726 miles, read
2,035 books, and volunteered 1,020 hours

• STEAMfest proved to be an eventful Saturday in September with 35 booths giving children in
our community the opportunity to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and
Math. We are grateful for our sponsors and volunteers sharing their knowledge and passion to
help educate the children in our community

• We launched our new website that is user friendly, professional, and brings a better experience
to all

I have watched this organization grow from serving 300 children in 1996, to now serving more
than 3,000 youth per year. After being a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County for more
than 25 years, it’s with pride and gratitude that I pass the torch onto Kaycee Headrick, the new
Executive Director as of November, 2017. Kaycee comes to our organization with more than
10 years experience with Boys & Girls Clubs. Her skill set supports growth, sustainability, and
expansion. In my new role as Director Emeritus, I will continue to help raise money to open new
doors across the county for our youth.

As you know, my dedication to this organization is steadfast. I am grateful for all of the
friendships made during my tenure. Your support has made Boys &
Girls Clubs of Larimer County a huge success! My hope is that your
dedication will continue to grow in the years to come.

With love and gratitude.

Kathi Wright

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ww w .B eG re at Lar im er .or g

2017 Summer

Mou

This summ
completing

ELEVATION: ELEVATION: ELEVATION:

500 800 360
BOOKS SERVICE MILES
READ HIKED
HOURS

Page 3

OCTOBER

of Summits!

untains of Achievements

mer we crushed our goals by to hiking 726 miles, reading 2,035 books, and
g 1,020 hours of community service.

Priority outcome: Healthy Lifestyles

To help boost vitamin D levels while supplying fun ways
to incorporate exercise into the summer, we provided
Club members with opportunities to hike all over Larimer
County! Through guided hikes from local organizations
and staff led programs (including “Survival Skills 101”)
we were able to opt outside and explore the beautiful
landscape we call home. For some Club members, this was
their first ever hiking experience!

Priority outcome: Good Character
& Citizenship To help Club members become

engaged and giving citizens, we completed 1,020 hours
of community service! To achieve hours, Club members
volunteered, cleaned-up highways, and picked up trash at
natural areas.

Annie, a 7-year-old Club member, commented, “I didn’t
know I had the power to help people, but I do now!”

Priority outcome: Academic Success

In efforts to prevent summer learning loss, we provided
Club members with plenty of opportunities to read,
learn, and get ready for the school year! Club members
read their way to success by reading 2,035 books during
summer programming! One Club member in particular read
over 50 books...by herself!

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GREAT FUTURES REPORT

Back to School: “I Can Achieve” Rallies!

As a part of our Academic Success priority outcome, our
Clubs held “I Can Achieve” rallies for Club members! At
these pep rallies, Club members committed to academic

excellence for the new school
year. Commitments included
goals and opportunities
to improve on past years.
Members enjoyed photo
booths and fun activities.

A big shoutout to our
Academic Program
Specialists for gearing Club
members up for the school
year!

Nature Rides with the Growing Project!

Bicycles and Colorado go together like peanut butter
and jelly.

Thanks to a collaborative grant with Poudre Heritage
Alliance, the Growing Project, and Boys & Girls Clubs
of Larimer County - Fort Collins Unit, we were able
to connect to natural areas in Northwest Fort Collins
while biking.

The Growing Project, a local non-profit located in
Fort Collins aims to promote the value of strong,
diverse and local food system to all residents in
Northern Colorado though direct agricultural
experiences, education, and advocacy.

Because of this grant, youth were able to learn about
local ecology with experts from the Growing Project.

Club members were also able to use bicycles
(thanks to a fabulous partnership with
Bike Fort Collins and the Bike Co-op). Both
organizations also provided bicycle education for youth and families
free-of-charge.

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www.BeGreatLarimer.org

A Day for Kids: STEAMfest 2017

Not even bad weather could keep youth away from Day for Kids: STEAMfest! This year,
between the rain and cold temperatures, the annual Day for Kids event attracted more
than 300 parents and children to the Promenade Shops at Centerra! Brave weather goers
got to have fun with hands on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math)
stations.

The Promenade Shops were turned into an art exhibit, a dinosaur dig, a painters’
wonderland, and an Eagles snapshot course. There were even some ballerinas, dragons,
and Storm Troopers mingling!

Thanks to our event sponsors for making the day possible, including
Advanced Energy, Bank of Colorado, Flood and Peterson, Fort Collins
Mitsubishi, Great Western Bank, Hach,
In-Situ Inc., Nordson Medical, Ottercares, The Promenade Shops at

Centerra, Tolmar,
UCHealth, and
VanMeveren Law
Group PC.

Photo courtesy of Joel
Blocker Photography

Our Board of Directors

Ryan Cosner, Cosner Financial Group Pete Meyer, Brinkman Partners
Dr. Hector de León, Kaiser Permanente Marilyn Schock, UCHealth
Mike Grell, EKS&H Kyle Schrader, Schrader Oil Company
Nancy Haboush, Vistage International Sue Wagner, Bank of Colorado
Amanda McDonald, Bank of the West Rob Stumbaugh, Four Pines Advisors
Mary McCaffrey, Public Service Credit Union Zach Wilson, The Wilson Law Firm

OF LARIMER COUNTY NonProfit
Organization
Program Support Center U.S. Postage
103 Smokey Street
Fort Collins, CO 80525 PAID
Permit No. 95
www.BeGreatLarimer.org

We need your help!

We are in need of a few items for our Clubs. If
you can help with any of these items, call us at

Program Support (970) 223-1709.

BGCLC Wish List!

Sports Items Art Supplies
Basketballs Art paper

Miscellaneous gym Colored pencils
equipment Crayons
Soccer balls Markers

Activities Paint brushes
Board games Office supplies
Carpet ball table
Karaoke machine Gas bucks
Playing cards Gift cards

Violins Stamps