NATCHEZ &045; Self-determination and cultural exploration have filled minds and stomachs at the Boys & Girls Club summer program.

Spelling bees and cultural field trips to Mexican and Chinese restaurants were among the many summer activities, and next week the group will take trip to Biloxi. Boys and Girls Club director Fay Minor said the trip not only shows the children another community but it helps builds their own community as well.

Minor said the club is designed to teach respect, working together and getting along with each other in and outside of their community.

With the 11 other staff members the program counsels over 125 children during the summer program.

One of those children is Corey Ashley.

&uot;He’s really come out of his shell,&uot; Boys & Girls Club Unit Director Lee Anne Smith said.

Smith said the program provides activities for Ashley and other students to do more than look at a TV screen and play video games during the summer. She also said it also takes a load off of parents who have to work during the day.

&uot;These kids would stay here all day &045; they love it, even if I passed out,&uot; Minor laughed.

Ashley said activities like playing basketball helped him do more physical activities and gain friends along the way.

&uot;One day we asked each other if we wanted to be friends and now we play together,&uot; Ashley said about his club friends.

Youth aren’t the only friends he’s made during the program.

&uot;Can I get a hug at the end of the day?&uot; asked Minor, as she gave a high five to the grinning 9-year-old.

Besides doing physical activities like playing basketball and going on walks, Ashley is involved in the educational aspect of the program as well. Drawing, reading and learning from computer educational programs like &uot;My Magic School Bus&uot; are among the many listed activities that Ashley does during his five hours at the club.

&uot;They motivate me,&uot; Ashley said of the staff members.

Smith said she sees a change in Ashley every time he accomplishes an activity. &uot;He gets that grin from ear to ear,&uot; Smith said.

Ten-year-old Preston White said the summer program has been a learning experience. Among learning how to swim and getting help with math, the lesson of respect is one that has been instilled in the

young boy.

&uot;If you don’t respect (the teachers and staff), they put you out of the class,&uot; White said.

White said the program taught about dangerous and negative situations that he should steer away from, such as drugs and stealing.

&uot;I don’t want to do that, it’s bad for you,&uot; he said.

The program is making sure the students are busy with field trips to Natchez State Park, cookouts at Duncan Park and other activities to fill the day.

&uot;If you keep these kids entertained and active, they don’t get into trouble,&uot; Smith said.

Youth aren’t the only ones who have gained and learned from the program.

Smith made connections she never imagined existed for the first year as a staff member.

&uot;(The children) touch your heart in ways you can’t even imagine,&uot; Smith said.

She said she’s made new fond relationships with children in her Morgantown neighborhood through the program. Smith said some children knock on her door every day just to ask how she’s doing. She has even hired one of the students to cut her lawn.

&uot;For me it’s been an outreach in my neighborhood,&uot; Smith said.

Friday is the last day for the summer program. Minor said the fall program is schedule to begin in late August.