The First Days

Watch the Youtube video montage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XccGafWFZwQ&t=1s

Normalcy. This school year we watched as kids and parents navigated the general and unfiltered return of students to classrooms across the valley. In many ways, this feels like the first normal start to a school year since the fall of 2019. And the intensity with which parents are signing their children up for the Club is staggering. Enrollment at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley is up by 15% over the 2021 school year and we expect that number will continue to increase as we expand our enrollment based on average daily attendance. The vibe among staff is overwhelmingly positive. This is often one of the hardest parts of the year to staff, but this year not only are we fully staffed, we have the RIGHT people in staff shirts. They’re intentional, purposeful, and passionate about doing more for their kids and the Napa Valley community.

Since our return to school this August over 2,200 kids have come through our doors and those kids are actively attending programs throughout Napa and American Canyon. The opening of our new sites at Unidos Middle School, Redwood Middle School and Browns Valley Elementary have been incredibly smooth, which is also true of the expansion of our existing programs both at the Clubhouses and at 6 other school campus location in Napa and American Canyon. You can feel as you step onto campuses that there’s a hum and bustle as kids engage with staff in fun and interesting activities- picture Kindergarteners meditating at McPherson, 6 th graders making album covers at Unidos, 5 th graders launching Marshmallows from handmade catapults at the AC Clubhouse, and Napa Clubhouse kids painting forest landscapes on canvases with none other than Bob Ross playing in the background. These activities reflect the best of what we try to achieve afterschool, by taking universally fun experiences and using them as a vehicle for academic, social and emotional growth.

As you know, none of this would be possible with you and your continued support. There isn’t a person in the valley who does not directly or indirectly benefit by the work of the Club. You might be a parent who relies on our services or you might rely on people who rely on us for care. You might have attended our programs as a child or you might attend them now as a volunteer. I am thrilled that of the many worthy causes you support, the Napa Valley Community continues to say “YES” to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley. Thank you for continuing to help us as we inject joy, authenticity, and engagement into the lives of Napa and American Canyon youth!

New sites, New Faces, New memories! We love all the great activities happening afterschool at the 12 locations we’re operating between Napa and American Canyon. Here’s a great montage from all of our sites over the first few weeks of school. Spot anyone you know?

Watch the Youtube video montage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XccGafWFZwQ&t=1s