Patch Blog: Monrovia's Youth Programs

Much has been said about Monrovia Youth programming and the feeling that more is needed. Although I think we can all agree that we would love to do more, I thought it might be a good time to look at the good that we have instead of focusing on what we don't have.

Each of us have things in our lives we would like but most of us are content is celebrating the good in our lives that we can afford. Monrovia offers so much but here is a short list of some of the best:

• Youth Sports Program – This program is available to 4th and 5th grade boys and girls who attend school at , , and . The program operates during the traditional school year, immediately following every school’s respective dismissal time, and consists of Flag Football and Cheerleading during the Fall season, Basketball and Cheerleading during the Winter season and Soccer during the Spring season. Emphasis is also placed on sportsmanship and character development and recognition of scholar athletes.

• Summer Extravaganza – This program is available to boys and girls ages 6 to 16 and operates in Recreation Park, for 8 weeks during the summer, from 11am until 5pm. The program consists of a Sports Camp and a Traditional Camp. The Sports Camp Program is designed to introduce participants to the basics of Flag Football, Basketball, Soccer and Volleyball. The Traditional Camp is designed to involve youth in active and passive games, arts and crafts, board and card games and educational programs. Emphasis is also placed on character development, appreciation of cultural diversity and recognition of positive behavior via and incentive program that recognizes participants for their positive behavior.

• Reads and Plays – This free program is available to boys and girls of all ages and operates Monday through Friday at two Monrovia neighborhoods (Sherman/3days and Ivy/2days) during the school year, from 3:30 to 5pm. The program is designed to 1.) Assist Children with homework and improving academic scores and 2.) Introduce children to fitness through intramural sports such as football and basketball.

• Youth Classes – Classes are available for resident and non-resident tiny tots, youth and teens. Classes operate year round during 4, eight week sessions. Classes are available 6 days a week during varying hours and are held at the , and offsite facilities.

• Youth Commission – This program operates years round and provides middle and high school students with an opportunity to develop employment skills through volunteerism, as well as develop programs to meet the needs of the teen population. Youth Commission assists with City Wide Special events such as the Arts Festival, Sustainability Fair, Monrovia Day, Spring Egg Hunt, Halloween and Summer Extravaganza. They also plan and implement events and activities such Arbor Day and the annual year end party and excursion.

• Teen Advisory Board (TAB) – This program operates years round and provides middle and high school students with an opportunity to develop employment skills through volunteerism at the ,  as well as develop programs to meet the needs of the teen population. TAB assists with City Wide Special events such as the Sustainability Fair, and Summer Reading Club. They also plan monthly teen events such as Wii tournaments, Library Scavenger Hunts, Teen Sleepover, Movie night and contests.

• Outdoor Education Program – Designed to meet the California Science requirements for elementary students grades 3 through 5th. This program operates during the school year and educates students on the natural resources in our foothills, ecology, recycling, hydrology and biology.

• Miscellaneous Special Events for Youth – Offered through the year and Includes the Spring Egg Hunt, Halloween Costume Contest, Summer Reading Club, Parades, Storytime with Santa, Library Cultural Events and monthly hikes in .