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National Kids Day jumps off with splash

6 Aug 2004 | Lance Cpl. C. Alex Herron Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

More than three million people in over 3,500 celebrations came together to commemorate National Kids Day throughout the nation, Aug. 1.

The Laurel Bay Youth Center hosted one of the many Kids Day celebrations in the Lowcountry, July 27. Although they celebrated the event a few days early, the message of spending quality time with children was at the core of the festivities.

“The Boys and Girls Club and KidsPeace created this day to help foster relationships between adults and children by educating them on the importance and value of spending time together,” said Terri Nelson, regional youth director, Marine Corps Community Services-SC.“

The Laurel Bay Youth Center’s celebration included different games in and out of the pool. It also included a beach and shag theme.

“Shag lessons were made available throughout the night,” Nelson said. “We had a great time with all the kids learning to dance the night away.”

National Kids Day should remind everyone of the high esteem that parents should hold their children in and confirm a year-round dedication to them as citizens, according to Lewis P. Lipsitt, national director, KidsPeace.

“Meaningful time with our children is the single most important gift we can give them to help grow up happy and emotionally healthy, said Alvin Pousaint, national director, KidsPeace.
National Kids Day has continued to grow since it was created in 2001.

“The Boys and Girls Clubs goal is to have the President declare National Kids Day an official day on the national calendar by 2006, which is also the 100th anniversary of the Boys and Girls Club,” Nelson said.

In affiliation with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lowcountry, the Laurel Bay Youth Center sponsors many events.

“We try to support events that they sponsor,” Nelson said. “This was one we knew we really wanted to support this year because we thought it had a message we could encourage.”

With all of the kids at the pool to celebrate, there were more children than usual splashing around and meeting new people.

“We come to the pool at least three times a week and there was never this many people,” said Jody Andrews, mother of three children. “It is great to have everyone here for this because it gives the children a chance to meet other kids before school starts next week.”