This event is looked forward to by everyone, especially the kids. Every child attending (RSVP a MUST) will be awarded something for their own personal contributions to the group throughout the year and then gifted with cool stuff!!
THE SCHEDULE:
- Kids get out of school and have regular play.
- 5-6pm - Picnic food is served for kids and their families/friends. This is the time to eat, review past picture history and have fellowship with friends.
- 6-7pm - Everyone plays who wants to. There is tug-o-war, balloon toss & artillery
- 8:45pm COOL STUFF!! End of year gifts!! Every year cool stuff is handed out to the kids and sometimes even the family gets lucky and gets something!! A favorite is the yellow rubber bracelet that has "THURSDAY BOYS" stamped in blue on it.
Because of the size of the turn-out (the more the merrier), this has become a very expensive project. It is worth the cost to see the families and kids interacting, playing and enjoying one another!! We just need some help paying for it. DONATIONS are needed and welcomed.
THE BREAK-DOWN...
- AVERAGE COST PER CHILD: $37.00
- FOOD: Burger & hotdogs and all the fixin's, chips, drinks, ice, plates, napkins, plasticware, cake, etc.
- AWARDS: Over 1,500 medals, trophies, certificates, ribbons, bandannas, patches, pins, etc will be awarded to celebrate individual achievement (every child who attends will receive at least one)
- COOL STUFF: All kids receive cool stuff to play with and keep as mementoes. It is sorta like getting souvenirs when you go see your favorite sport team play! Approximately 3,000 small gifts will be distributed.
The picnic cost is staggering each year to
an already pummeled budget. Approximately
$9,000 dollars is needed each year to fund
this culmination and celebration of efforts. The
picnic will serve close to 1,000 parents, siblings,
and extended family members. With an annual
budget of less than $30,000, outside help has
become a must to preserve the picnic, the
single most important Thursday Boy youth
event of the year.
The kids are giving it their all to pull down the dads, grand-dads and uncles!
** Picnic Reservation Forms should be returned in advance to reserve gifts, awards and family food counts for each child.
** Children not in attendance forfeit their awards and gifts. Report illness situations or family deaths to Mr. Redwine.
** Children will wait on parents to go through the line or provide other instructions to Mr. Redwine.
** All children should take a reasonable portion of food and not go back through lines until everyone is served once. Cups should be retained for drink seconds.
** Dinner and picture history hour should be spent with family or host family (no running around).
** No food or drinks allowed in Picture History area.
** Security will not be on duty and each child should be in the responsible adult's view at all times.
** No park play for Thursday Boys during Picnic hours (playground equipment, basketball, etc).
** After final game play, family not playing should have drinks ready at blanket reserved areas. Award ceremony cannot wait on hundreds of people rushing drink stations after play is completed.
** Each family should bring to the park a blanket, beach towels and/or chairs to sit on/in. Taller chairs should be positioned in back of crowd to avoid obscuring the view of those seated on blankets.
** Booing even in jest is strictly forbidden at T-Boy functions.
** T-Boy shirts and hats should be worn to this function.
** Inactive Thursday Boy families are eligible for bumper sticker contest with stickers remaining on vehicles.
** Park areas must be left free of debris and damage upon our departure.
** Talking during presentations is not allowed.
** Alcohol is forbidden in the park (city rules) and smoking should be done outside our picnic perimeter. (please be aware of wind direction as well - many are allergic or asthmatic)
** Good sportsmanship must be exhibited throughout the evening and all Thursday Boy rules apply, including no playing with/throwing rocks, sticks, dirt; no climbing of trees; keeping hands to yourself.
** Gentle (or tender) hands should bring gloves for the tug-of-war. Don't play water balloons if you don't want to get wet and just plain good look with artillery the T-Boy way!
** Finally, PLAY HARD and HAVE FUN!! Your ITSOO has earned this evening!!
