Boys and Girls Club rewarding children for good behavior

The Scurry County Boys and Girls Club is rewarding children in its summer program who exhibit good behavior with a special Fourth of July treat.
The club will have a float in the annual Fourth of July parade. Director Ericka Dowds said the club entered a float two years ago, but some of the children throwing candy from the float did not behave properly.
A float was not entered a year ago, she said.
Dowds said she wanted children to view a spot on this year’s float as a privilege.
“Through good behavior, kids are earning the right to be on the float,” Dowds said. “If they can’t behave in the club, they won’t get the chance to prove they can behave on the Fourth of July float.”
In addition to promoting good behavior, Dowds said she hopes being on the float will promote civic pride and responsibility for the kids.
“We want to teach our kids to be civically involved and show them it can be fun to be involved in the community,” Dowds said. “There’s a lot of good that can come from helping out and being involved in the community.”
This week, children got the chance to make red, white and blue bracelets and decorate patriotic shirts and tutus. The club will also create a large flag made up of the children’s handprints.
“I think they are getting excited,” Dowds said. “They’re having a lot of fun.”
William Rodriguez, 9, said he is excited for the Fourth of July because it will be the first time he has been in the parade.
“It’s my first time getting to do it and I’m really excited,” Rodriguez said.
For some of the younger children who haven’t learned the details of Independence Day, they still understand the day is important.
Ty Knowles, 7, said he enjoys the parade and carnival rides that come with the Fourth of July celebration in Snyder, but said there is more to the day than that.
“We celebrate it so we never forget our independence,” Knowles said.