Summer Learning Labs Results

This summer, 100 students participated in the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County's five-week Summer Learning Labs, where they received targeted reading and math instruction to help prepare them for the upcoming school year. The goal was simple: keep students learning, growing, and building confidence throughout the summer—and the results show just how impactful those five weeks were.

Several grade levels saw significant academic growth, with 10 of our 12 assessments showing improvement. Some of the most notable gains included:

• Rising 1st Grade: ELA improved from 40% to 85%, and Math improved from 68% to 87%.
• Rising 2nd Grade: ELA improved from 34% to 66%, and Math improved from 61% to 88%.
• Rising 3rd Grade: ELA improved from 31% to 77%, and Math improved from 42% to 69%.
• Rising 4th Grade: ELA improved from 55% to 63%, and Math improved from 68% to 75%.
• Rising 6th Grade: ELA improved from 51% to 65%, and Math improved from 37% to 44%.

While our Rising 5th Grade students did not see the gains we had hoped for, those results provide valuable insight that will help us strengthen instruction and better meet student needs in future Summer Learning Labs.

These accomplishments are a reflection of the dedication of our teachers, staff, families, and, most importantly, our students, who came ready to learn each day. Together, we are doing more than preventing the summer slide—we are helping build brighter futures through academic success.

A special thank you to our incredible Summer Learning Labs teachers—Alyssa Brawner, Lynn Sutherland, Missy Perry, Jorrica Youngblood, Danielle Hale, Jackie Shaffer, and Madison Ashcraft—for their passion, dedication, and commitment to helping our members succeed. We'd also like to recognize our amazing substitute teachers—Tiffini Mundt, Shelly Murphy Smith, and Emily Phillips—for stepping in whenever needed to ensure our students continued receiving a high-quality learning experience. Your hard work made this successful summer possible!

Last Day of Summer Program

We ended our summer program on a delicious note with a special breakfast of waffles and bacon for our members! It was the perfect way to celebrate an amazing summer filled with learning, adventures, friendships, and memories before everyone headed back to school.

Special moments like this—and our hands-on cooking classes throughout the year—depend on having a well-stocked kitchen. If you'd like to help, you can find our Cooking Class Wish List at www.bgcjeffersonco.org/supplies. Every donation helps us continue creating fun, meaningful experiences for our members.

Baseball Field Trips

This summer, some of our members hit it out of the park with not one, but two exciting baseball field trips! They had the opportunity to cheer on both the Cincinnati Reds and the Louisville Bats, giving many of our members the chance to experience professional baseball in two incredible ballparks.

From watching great plays on the field to enjoying classic ballpark treats and spending time with friends, each trip was filled with excitement, laughter, and lasting memories. These experiences gave our members the opportunity to explore new places, enjoy America's favorite pastime, and make the most of their summer.

Louisville Zoo Field Trip

To celebrate the completion of our five-week Summer Learning Labs program, our members took a well-earned trip to the Louisville Zoo! It was a chance to celebrate all of the hard work, learning, and dedication they showed every day throughout the program while enjoying a day full of amazing animals and unforgettable memories.

The weather made for a hot day of exploring, but just before it was time to head home, the rain rolled in. Instead of letting it spoil the fun, our members laughed, played, and even danced in the rain, making the perfect ending to a fantastic day.

We are incredibly proud of everything our Summer Learning Labs members accomplished and were thrilled to celebrate their success with a wild adventure!

Crystal Beach Field Trips

Nothing says summer quite like a day at the pool! Throughout the summer, our members cooled off with several field trips to Crystal Beach Aquatic Park, enjoying swimming, laughter, and plenty of fun in the sun.

Whether they were racing down the slides, playing with friends, or simply enjoying the water, every trip was packed with smiles and great memories. These pool days gave our members the chance to relax, stay active, and make the most of their summer break.

From cannonballs to big smiles, our pool trips were definitely a splash hit!

6th Grade Summer Learning Labs

Who says book reports have to be boring? Our rising 6th grade Summer Learning Labs class put a creative twist on reading by designing pizza box book reports based on The Night Diary. This hands-on project gave members a fun and engaging way to showcase what they learned while bringing the story to life.

A special thank you to Miss Madison Ashcraft for planning this creative project and making learning both meaningful and memorable for our members. We'd also like to thank Jendy's Pizzeria for generously donating the pizza boxes that made this activity possible. Community support like this helps turn learning into an experience our members won't forget!

A Club Full of Helpers

What started as a simple project to wash our Club bus quickly turned into something even more fun! Some of our older members jumped right in to help clean the bus, but once they finished, they weren't ready to stop.

Instead, they convinced our staff to pull their cars around, and before long an impromptu staff car wash was underway! Armed with buckets, soap, and lots of enthusiasm, our members had a blast making the staff vehicles sparkle.

It is wonderful to see our members take pride in helping out around the Club while having so much fun together. Sometimes the best summer memories come from the activities you never planned!

Jefferson County 4-H Fair

This summer, we were excited to be part of the Jefferson County 4-H Fair! Our booth was a great opportunity to connect with families, share information about the Boys & Girls Club, and meet new faces from our community.

Along with handing out some fun Club giveaways, we also hosted a free raffle featuring three prizes—an outdoor games set and two backpacks filled with school supplies. We loved seeing so many people stop by to enter, learn more about the Club, and say hello!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello, grab some Club swag, and learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County.

43rd Annual Chelsea Bass Masters Fishing Tournament

Without a doubt, the Chelsea Bass Masters Fishing Tournament is one of the most anticipated days of the summer! For 43 years, this incredible tradition has brought smiles, laughter, and memories that last a lifetime for our members.

The day started with a little rain, but the skies cleared just in time for everyone to head out on the river—and it turned into a beautiful morning for fishing. The fish were definitely biting! (The not-so-secret secret? Crinkle-cut french fries make great bait... but you didn't hear that from us! 😉)

After a fun morning on the water, everyone returned to the Club to enjoy lunch, celebrate their catches, and cheer on this year's award winners.

Congratulations to our 2026 champions!

• Biggest Fish: James (Teen) & AJ (Youth)
• Most Fish – Fish Whisperer: Michael (Teen) & Zeke (Youth)
• Smallest Fish – Tiny but Mighty: Ryker (Teen) & Joey (Youth)

A heartfelt thank you to the Chelsea Bass Masters for making this amazing event possible year after year. Not only do they volunteer their time, provide lunch, and share their love of fishing with our members, but every participant also goes home with their very own fishing pole and a goody bag! Their generosity doesn't stop there—they also presented the Boys & Girls Club with a $2,500 donation to support our mission.

Thank you, Chelsea Bass Masters, for 43 years of unforgettable memories and for investing in the youth of our community. We can't wait to see what next year's tournament brings!

2026 T-Ball Season

What a season! After being away for several years, we were excited to bring Boys & Girls Club T-Ball back this summer—and what a return it was! We were thrilled to offer the program free of charge, making it possible for even more local children to get out on the field and enjoy America's favorite pastime.

This year, 95 young athletes registered to play, filling the season with smiles, teamwork, and plenty of memorable moments. Like any new beginning, we experienced a few learning curves along the way, but we're excited to build on this year's success and make next season even better.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible T-Ball sponsors: MTM, Madison Precision Products, Brok's Buddies, Madison Fun Factory, Midwest Gym Supply, Extreme Clean Laundry, Superior Vault Company, Cruisin' Auto, Mid Cities Overhead Door, EJ's Plumbing, Dave & Kay Lu Adams, and the Anthony "Tony" Hertz Family. Your generosity helped make this program possible, and we are so grateful for your support of the youth of Jefferson County.

Thank you to all of our players, families, coaches, volunteers, and sponsors for making the return of T-Ball such a success. We can't wait to see everyone back on the field next season!

Flag Football Registration is Open

Football season is almost here, and we can't wait to get back on the field! Registration is now open for our Kindergarten–2nd Grade Flag Football League and will remain open through August 14.

Our flag football program is a great introduction to the game, giving young athletes the opportunity to learn the fundamentals, build confidence, develop teamwork, and most importantly—have fun! The season will kick off shortly after registration closes.

The registration fee is $60, and you do not need to have a Boys & Girls Club after-school membership to participate.

Register today through the Parent Portal at www.bgcjeffersonco.org/athletics, or stop by the Club's front desk to pick up a paper registration form. We can't wait to see our future football stars on the field!

35th Annual Golf Scramble

The 35th Annual Farmers Bank of Milton Golf Scramble benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County is coming up on Saturday, August 8, at 1:00 p.m. at Sunrise Golf Course.

Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just looking for a fun afternoon with friends, we'd love to have you join us! Registration is $75 per player or $300 per team. Golfers will compete for cash prizes awarded to the top three teams, and there will be Hole-in-One contests featuring exciting prizes—including a chance to win a new car!

Every swing makes a difference. Your participation helps fund programs and opportunities that inspire, empower, and support the youth of Jefferson County.

Register or learn more at www.bgcjeffersonco.org/golf. We hope to see you on the course!

After-School Program Membership Fees

Beginning this school year, Boys & Girls Club after-school memberships will no longer be fully sponsored. The membership fee is $60 per member, per month or $600 for the full school year. Families who pay the full year by September 1 will receive a discounted rate.

We are committed to ensuring every child has access to the Club. Members who qualify for free school lunch are eligible for a free membership, and members who qualify for reduced school lunch are eligible for 50% off their membership. Proof of free or reduced lunch status is required.

Scholarship assistance and family discounts may also be available for qualifying families.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact the Club. We are here to help and want every child to have the opportunity to be part of the Boys & Girls Club.

Maurices Re-Jean Event

Clean out your closet and make a difference! Throughout August, bring your gently used jeans to Maurices in Madison during their Re-Jean Event. As a thank you, you'll receive a $10 coupon toward a new pair of jeans.

All donated jeans will stay right here in our community and will help support local young ladies and women, including members of the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County.

A big thank you to Maurices for continuing to support our community through this amazing event!

Join our 1 Child, 1 School Year campaign and make a lasting difference for a local child. By donating $50 per month (or $600 annually), you can provide a child with a full year of after-school care, giving them a safe place to learn, grow, build friendships, and reach their full potential. Your support can change a child's future—one school year at a time.

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