STARTED Thursday Boys started in 1991 innocently with a Dad wanting to spend extra time with his kids and their friends after school on a regular basis. Turns out Thursday was a good day for Jim Redwine to close shop at his business and spend the day with the kids. As they played in the park across from the school, more kids wanted to join in and Mr. Redwine does not like to exclude anybody, so the group grew larger and larger. Now over 500 kids are signed up to play, although not all show up on the same day ( thankfully!! J) As the group grew, organization had to take over. This gave Mr. Redwine the opportunity to teach the kids, both boys and girls, about sportsmanship and leadership. The Moms really gave our group it's name. Notes to Mr. Redwine would be addressed From: Your Thursday Boys or The Thursday Boys.
EVERYONE WELCOME! Mr. Redwine believes in having lively fun and making sure everyone feels welcomed. No clicks allowed!! A child can come from any school or home-school. All ages welcomed. Everyone must follow the rules, no exceptions. When you play hard, of course you get a little thirsty and hungry, so snacks are provided midway through play. The kids purchase blue T-shirts and hats in order to feel that they belong to a group and it also provides security as any kid running off in a blue shirt/cap is easily noticed. For the brave pre-K, green caps are worn so everyone can look out for the little kids. All proceeds from the hats and shirts go back to support the group.
PROFILE Today, kids must have a "profile" turned in to list basic information and any emergency contacts. From these, a roll-call sheet is made up and roll is checked every Thursday. This gives Mr. Redwine the opportunity to know each and every child and see who is there for the day. He gets to know every child and their parent/guardian.
COMMUNITY SERVICE is also being taught to the kids. Mr. Redwine asks of them and their families to participate in various donations and projects in the community. Examples are:
1) Canned food for those in need and the homeless.
2) Can tabs for the Cancer Society.
3) Clean and beautify the park they play in every Thursday.
4) Help a sister school, one many will eventually attend, with it's ground keeping and beautification.
FLAG You know Thursday Boys will be held when you see the flag out on the flag pole in the park. Pretty much every Thursday is a play day, even if it sprinkles - this makes for awesome mud-day play. Every kid loves to play in the rain and the mud!! Just be sure to bring some plastic grocery bags for the shoes and a large garbage bag for the kid!! Just poke a hole in the top so their head pops out and you buckle them up (no muddy hands come out of the bag)!! Everything goes in the wash and the kids get a great memory!! If it is cold - they play! If it is hot - they play!! Pretty much the only thing that shuts down play is heavy rain or lightening!! (you provide appropriate clothing for the weather)
LEADERSHIP It takes alot for one person to run a group this size, so Mr. Redwine started promoting from within asking of the kids to take on some responsibility - Leadership. Kids are promoted to help with leadership for the new and younger kids - to "show them the ropes". This first leadership role is called "Red Cap". The kids can then earn the next level of "Black Cap". These kids have more responsibility, but also more perks. They help watch the group and make sure no one leaves or that any stranger is learking about. They get better snacks and candies for giving up their play time to help protect the group. Many of these kids come back to play even after they have left the elementary school.
SPEAK TO JIM Mr. Redwine believes in giving all his attention to the kids from the time when they get out of school until they are picked up, so if you need to speak with him, come before school is let out or after play ends for the day. (Mr. Redwine does not do emails)
Blue Cap - Red Cap - Black Cap
Leadership Perks - One of the perks of Leadership and working while missing some play time, the kids get better drinks, like bottled Root Beer, Dr. Pepper and bottled Gatorade, during snack time and better treats at check out.
1st) The Blue caps sit down as the Red Caps and then then the Black Caps line up in a congratulatory line.
2nd) The name of the child promoted is then called (no one knows who except Mr. Redwine) and they go to the beginning of the line.
3rd) Their current cap is replaced with the promotion cap.
4th) They then look in the eyes of each Leadership person and shake their hand while the Leadership person gives them a "Congratulations" or encouragement.
5th) Finally, they take their position in the Leadership line and they are congratulated by Mr. Redwine.
T-BOY PRAYER(a prayer for all)
GOD...
Help me be a friend to all,
To always do what's fair.
To cherish life and live mine
In a way to show I care.
T-BOY SONG
When I wake up in the morning and I think about my day,
It pleases me that I will make the most of school and play,
And when I am faced with tough decisions you should be aware,
That I will do what I've been taught, the right thing, what is fair.
Chorus: I'm a Thursday Boy, a child that's loved,
And knows just what to do.
I'll treat each person that I meet
Kindly, as would you!
Making friends, with fellowship and fairness when we play,
The fun of all of us trying hard to pave the way,
There will be the greatest challenge as we strive to do our best,
To get along with everyone, give differences a rest!
Chorus: I'm a Thursday Boy, a child that's loved,
And knows just what to do.
I'll treat each person that I meet
Kindly, as would you!
It's a fact that is not difficult to understand,
That each of us is gifted differently, it is a plan,
And the most important thing of all to every one of us,
Is that we give to each other respect - it's such a plus!
Chorus: I'm a Thursday Boy, a child that's loved,
And knows just what to do.
I'll treat each person that I meet
Kindly, as would you!
**Dedicated to the spirit, potential and courage of children - Jim Redwine
We teach Community Service, Leadership, Good Sportsmanship, Friendship & Fellowship!!
In the beginning, all the kids could sit on this tarp for snack time. The Trailer has yet to be claimed as "Thursday Boys & Spirits" (see next pic)
Now an average of 100 kids show up weekly
In the Beginning...
NOW...
Mr. Redwine's kids in the beginning. They are the very reason he started taking time off to play in the park. TBoys grew from there.
The original T-Boys!! We've been around so long that at this time, there was no seatbelt law and this is how they got around - in the back of the wagon.
Dedication to My Wife and Children...
To my wife who has tolerated and indulged my passion to serve youth, made personal sacrifices to care and provide for others and loved me despite all my imperfections and infringements on our time, resources and relationships.
For a marriage which has weathered the spotlight, criticism and the best sabotage some could muster.
For the dedication and support of my vision even when blurred and the confident foundation she provided that I might stretch myself as a person and mentor.
For the tolerance of an evolution of a program that often demands more than we have to give.
For the best part of my life sharing a dream to always make a difference in children's lives.
For affording me the largest family any man could have imagined and granting me creative license. And for my four children who introduced me to a wonderful world of involvement, community and growth and the endless boundaries of love's magic.
To my children who rode the learning curve with an inexperienced and heavily flawed father. The opportunity to be involved in your lives has been priceless and the memories we have made together are irreplaceable treasures in my heart. Without the five of you, all the courage and fire would have never ignited, nor burned.
You all are the reason there is a flag that summons children to a safe, welcoming and encouraging place to learn, achieve and grow.
