No place for youth in Bozeman, support YMCA (Billings, Missoula: how much, home)

[theRain]

Someone mentioned, in another thread, about the lack of a youth rec center in Bozeman. Thank you for bringing that up! What I am about to say might not be popular, oh what a big surprise that will be, but here goes:

I am constantly seeing new, bigger, I mean HUGE churches being built.
If they can afford to build these monstrosities, then why can't some of those folks who contribute to those, contribute to something for the whole community, like a rec center?? The bars and casinos could chip in, too.
In Missoula, the YMCA is a very popular after school hangout for kids. They also have "dances" about every other weekend, targeting the middle school kids. These are very popular and give the kids somewhere safe to meet and hang out. Helena and Butte, and Billings, also have very popular, active YMCAs. Bozeman is way overdue for something like this.
There IS a YMCA in Bozeman, as far as programs to take part in, and the Y does own some land in the new regional, 100 acre park on Baxter, but does not yet have the funds for a facility yet.
So, please, tell all your friends, family, and churchgoers, and maybe the guy on the next barstool, to be on the lookout for the YMCA's fundraising efforts. They are already doing an amazing job of providing options to parents for those times when school is out (in Livingston, too). They have summer day camps, even without their own facility. They have basketball, flag football, and more. Scholarships are available, and they are needed by, usually, about 25% of participants. This is also where donations are used, to make these programs available to everyone, regardless of income. But, a facility is needed to have the rec center for older kids. The open gyms are always popular, as in the Missoula YMCA. Hope all in the Bozeman, Livingston, Belgrade etc. area will take notice, and spread the word.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by theRain

Someone mentioned, in another thread, about the lack of a youth rec center in Bozeman. Thank you for bringing that up! What I am about to say might not be popular, oh what a big surprise that will be, but here goes:

I am constantly seeing new, bigger, I mean HUGE churches being built.
If they can afford to build these monstrosities, then why can't some of those folks who contribute to those, contribute to something for the whole community, like a rec center?? The bars and casinos could chip in, too.
In Missoula, the YMCA is a very popular after school hangout for kids. They also have "dances" about every other weekend, targeting the middle school kids. These are very popular and give the kids somewhere safe to meet and hang out. Helena and Butte, and Billings, also have very popular, active YMCAs. Bozeman is way overdue for something like this.
There IS a YMCA in Bozeman, as far as programs to take part in, and the Y does own some land in the new regional, 100 acre park on Baxter, but does not yet have the funds for a facility yet.
So, please, tell all your friends, family, and churchgoers, and maybe the guy on the next barstool, to be on the lookout for the YMCA's fundraising efforts. They are already doing an amazing job of providing options to parents for those times when school is out (in Livingston, too). They have summer day camps, even without their own facility. They have basketball, flag football, and more. Scholarships are available, and they are needed by, usually, about 25% of participants. This is also where donations are used, to make these programs available to everyone, regardless of income. But, a facility is needed to have the rec center for older kids. The open gyms are always popular, as in the Missoula YMCA. Hope all in the Bozeman, Livingston, Belgrade etc. area will take notice, and spread the word.

I for one think it's a worthy cause and a good idea. I have no clue why it doesn't happen, our kids center is pretty sad as well but this is a very small town I guess.

[Timberwolf232]

I think it would be cool if we could put together a community center. Have a fund raiser simply locally without any national organization's involved and see what a real "village" can do.

We could see how much change we can dig up.. I'm sure there are a lot of folks (including me and my family) who would put in some change as well as some time and effort into creating a fun place for kids, would be good for the adults also between getting it all going and watching the youngsters learn and enjoy...

It would be a good way of getting people together, with the funding focus on ONLY the community center, not a church group, a political group, or anything else, simply a place where kids, young adults and the volunteers can hang out and play or do whatever inspires them without the leash of a national organization or special interest group. Just doing activities sponsored by the community itself.

(sports, music, academics, archery, aviation, computers, horsemanship, horticulture, hunting, fishing, skiing and snowboarding, geocaching, marksmanship, outdoor survival skills, camping, crafts, drama, etc.. )

This would have to be done by people who can handle other peoples politics and respect the activities that we would all volunteer for. We all have a niche in something we could teach, and we all have stuff we want to learn... Why not put our skills to work as a group..

Then we can prove that Montana rules, because we have respect, and can also learn new things.. We can test things open mindedly, and we can come up with new ideas and also respect individual freedom. Our kids would be at a great advantage learning things from all walks of life.

What do you guys think? If there were something like that in your town would you want to volunteer some work or donate?

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf232

(sports, music, academics, archery, aviation, computers, horsemanship, horticulture, hunting, fishing, skiing and snowboarding, geocaching, marksmanship, outdoor survival skills, camping, crafts, drama, etc.. )

The county 4-H program already does every one (or almost every one) of these activities. I personally did most of these in 4-H back in Whitefish.....

[ExilefromCa]

TheRain,

I actually serve at one of those "monstrosities" you cited, and I'd love to get involved with your effort to build a YMCA in Bozeman. Can we talk over PM? I'd like to know what our church can do to help!

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by lgmagone

The county 4-H program already does every one (or almost every one) of these activities. I personally did most of these in 4-H back in Whitefish.....

That's cool. Where do they meet? At the fairgrounds? My son isn't old enough yet, but the OP by TheRain got me thinking about stuff for him to do when he's old enough...

[Carolina Boy]

Somebody needs to talk to Mr. Ted Turner, etc....

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf232

That's cool. Where do they meet? At the fairgrounds? My son isn't old enough yet, but the OP by TheRain got me thinking about stuff for him to do when he's old enough...

Not sure in Bozeman, but they usually have clubs that meet all over the county. Try the Gallatin County Extension Agent and they can point you in the right direction. I joined when I was in 4th grade, and it was a good time (I was old enough to really enjoy things). The 4-H program is headed up MSU-Bozeman so they should have a strong program in Gallatin county.

[theRain]

Everyone who volunteers is not necessarily good at it. That's just how it is, and while the effort should be appreciated, I have seen leaders, coaches, etc who may mean well, but don't make it a good experience for the kids. If I were better at coaching, I would gladly give my time to do so, and I have, but I know I am not great at it, so I help in other ways.
NOw, over in Missoula, if your child is into shooting, then oh boy, are you in luck because the shooting team they have over there is blessed with the best coaches. They are all around good coaches for those kids. Very awesome guys who make it such a positive experience, and make each kid feel a part of the team, as well as teaching excellent skills. But, such volunteers are rare, and once you have had that level of coaching/mentoring for your kids, anything less causes you and your kids to lose interest, fast. So, unfortunately, we all know reality "bites", and just because a program exists, doesn't make it a good one. That's where having national ties to an organization such as the YMCA, with its tried and true system and history of successful programs is worth having. THe local Y is very much a community effort. That is why there is no facility yet. Each community does have to build its Y on their own. Every community member needs to give time and money, wether that is on a large or small scale. WE all help make it happen.
So I hope this helps folks understand that the Y is not a national chain, like Gold's Gym, or something. It is NON profit. It benefits the community it is in, and all the people, young and old, in that community and surrounding areas.
4-H is a very cool deal, and it is very, very different from a community rec center. There is definitely enough population in the Gallatin/Park county area to support both. I am calling on the locals to build something that will serve this community well in many ways. Thanks for reading!

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by theRain

4-H is a very cool deal, and it is very, very different from a community rec center. There is definitely enough population in the Gallatin/Park county area to support both. I am calling on the locals to build something that will serve this community well in many ways. Thanks for reading!

4-H is structured and has expectations of achievement. That's fine for some kids, but others need a place to hang out and just "be a kid", with NO expectations of performance. Where they can waste time with other kids and not feel like they have to live up to adult expectations all the time; where there are activities like dances when they want to be social, and quiet corners to talk to friends or just vegetate when they don't. If you want it to be successful and to become THE place for kids to hang out, let the KIDS decide what they want to do and how they want it to work; don't make it what the ADULTS want to do. Kids can be happy with very minimal facilities; all they need is the feeling that they can go there any time and just be themselves.

When I was growing up in Great Falls, one of the hangouts for military brats was the AFB bowling alley and movie theatre. We'd go spend 10 cents bowling and a quarter on the movie, and ride the free bus home when we were done. Couldn't beat it for a relaxing evening, and it kept us off the streets.

Doesn't Bozeman have a free bus system now?

BTW I don't recall which church did this, but one of 'em in Bozeman used to have a regular "free clothes for all" day. I got all my clothes there. If I didn't show up, the next month I'd find the girls had saved me the stuff I liked. Saved me a ton of money (couldn't afford to spend it on clothes anyway) and kept other people's castoffs from going to the landfill. Can't beat that for a community benefit.