Bixby Community Center Reaches Out

Bixby Community Center posts
flyers for people interested in programs
PHOTO: Ashley Burns

Bixby Community Center in Downtown Bixby winding down from a busy week.
PHOTO: Ashley Burns

THE NEWS:

The Bixby Community Center in Downtown Bixby is currently looking for volunteers for this summer's 9-week long Kid's Summer Camp. They are also in the midst of planning their annual Easter Egg Hunt at Haikey Creek Park taking place on April 16th, time to be announced. The adult softball league is looking for teams for this upcoming summer as well as starting signups for Zumba, Bootcamp and Kickboxing classes.

THE IMPACT:

Delana Bentley, Community Center Camp Counselor and Receptionist says, "the Community Center is a place for the community to come together. Because we are with the county we are the only organization that can pass out flyers and information packets to the schools. If we can pull the kids in, we can pull the parents in. Since our founding date our programs have doubled in size and our Father/Daughter Dance has become one of our more popular programs. It is so nice to see the same father/daughters coming back year after year making it a family tradition. One particular story that definitely impacted the child was about a mom and her son. The mother claimed the son to be very shy and 5 minutes later we both look across the room and see the boy break dancing in front of his newfound friends. No child goes home shy." Bentley also mentions that although most of their frequent children are of low income houses, the CEO of Spartan Aeronautics brings his kids in every week. "It is nice to see that they don't think any differently, they are all equal and that is what we love", says Bentley

THE CONTEXT:

Bixby Community Center was started 7 years ago in a little building in the middle of dowtown Bixby. It is now located in an old supermarket near its original building. They have grown from three programs including the originals gymnastics, a kindergarten program and a place for families to come and participate in arts and crafts to over 20 different programs and activities. The favorites include: The annual Father/Daughter Dance, Gymnastics, Zumba for Moms, Bootcamp for adults, the annual Easter Egg Hunt and many more. You can find a list of all the programs offered at their website. 

THE HUMAN DIMENSION:

Bentley tells a heart warming and touching story, "although there are many sad and humorous stories the one that touches all of our heart's here is about a little boy named Beau. Beau is 5 years old and due to past family problems has been taken away multiple times from his mother and father. He now lives with his 70 year old grandfather who simply does not have the energy for a 5 year old. Beau's grandfather decided to enroll Beau in our Summer Camp for Kids. He was very shy at first but you could tell that he was just a little ball of energy. My own son, who ironically enough is also Beau, is 22 and decided to help out the same summer "little Beau" joined our camp. "Little Beau" loved my son and anytime he would do anything he would always confront "Big Beau" and invite him to come along. One day, I was watching them play and interact and I saw that they were building a fort out of the materials they were given. I noticed that they were finished and as I was walking over to tell them what a great job they had done, I overheard "Little Beau" say to "Big Beau", I love you and although my Beau was a little caught off guard he immediately responded with an I love you too Beau. It's moments like these that make me realize not only are we here to entertain them for the summer, but we are really here to fill in for the parents they will never have. Since that summer, my son Beau and "Little Beau" have kept in touch and call each other on each other's birthday or "Big Beau" will go and pick up "Little Beau" and take him to get ice cream. It is the little things that can brighten their day." 

WHAT'S NEXT:

The Bixby Community center is looking to add programs such as flag football, disc golf and an after school program for kids K-6. Along with adding new programs they are also looking for any ideas and volunteers ages 16 and up. There are currently a few paid positions left and starting pay is $7.50 an hour. If you are interested in becoming a Summer Camp Counselor you will need to be available 3-5 days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and you will need to fill out an application online at parks.tulsacounty.org. You can also contact the Bixby Community Center to enroll your child in any of their available programs or enroll in any of the adult programs offered. Their hours of operation are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and you can look them up on facebook or on the web at the address above or you can also call them at (918) 366-4841.