The past few months at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Lehi Branch have been filled with nonstop fun and fabulous prizes for club members and their families. 

First, members participated in a summer reading contest. During the final days of summer camp, the Lehi Branch staff designed the building’s interior to appear as though the young readers were 30,000 feet high in the sky on an airplane. Youth were treated to delicious snow cones from the Kona Ice snow mobile. 

During July’s hot temperatures, the club celebrated “Gaming Week,” in which the youth refined their video game skills while also learning about teamwork. Additionally, the older club members took a field trip to the Heard Museum in Phoenix, where they immersed themselves in art, music, history and stories of Indigenous people. 

In August, the club hosted its annual open house for families to tour the facility and chat with staff. 

“We had over 100 people attend, with Community members, club members and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Council members Michael Dallas Sr. and Deanna Scabby attending and participating in our passport activity where they visited every room,” said Duane Oakes, branch director for the Boys and Girls Club. 

As part of the fun during the open house, completed passports were entered into a raffle for prizes such as bicycles, skateboards, backpacks and more, all generously donated to the Lehi Branch.

“We were lucky to have the Salt River Fire Department visit the center too,” said Oakes. 

The SRFD staff happily assisted in the raffle drawing, selecting the winners for the prize giveaway. Later, club members and staff posed for photos with members of the fire battalion. 

Oakes shared that the SRFD visiting with the club and helping pick the winners for the passport prize giveaway was a major highlight for him and his staff. 

With the new school year already underway, one thing remains clear: The fun times will continue at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Lehi Branch.

The Lehi Branch is located at 1231 E. Oak in Mesa. For more information, call (480) 850-4453 or email Lehi@bgcs.org.