Engaging kids through sports & activities
Activities, Events & Sports
The youth in our program often lack the opportunity to see and do things that we tend to take for granted. Going bowling, participating in a 5K run, attending a UD basketball game, or going to a Halloween party are some examples. Building Bridges engages our youth throughout the year with a variety of sports, programs, and events that broaden their experience and promote interaction with others and with the community.
Volunteers are appreciated and much needed at many of our events. Our kids need positive role models in their life. Please let us know if you would like more information on how you can help.
Martin Luther King Walk
Every year we join the community walk from West Third Street to Downtown Dayton in recognition of Martin Luther King Day.
Basketball
One of the sports that Building Bridges has tried to keep the youth involved in throughout the course of the program, is basketball. We host teams from other Juvenile Court probation units in tournaments at our annual Christmas, Halloween, and Valentine's day parties, thus helping to educate the youth not only on teamwork, but discipline, communication skills, patience, logic, the ability to cope with loss, and the aptitude to be humble in success. The Sertoma Club of Dayton also hosts our kids at a UD Men's basketball game each year.
Valentines Day Party
In February each year we hold our annual Valentines Day party with food and events for the kids.
Bike Trip
Every summer we invite our kids and staff to join in our annual bike trip from downtown Dayton to Xenia and back. We furnish the bikes for those who don't have them, and we also buy lunch at the halfway point.
Adopt-a-Park
Building Bridges fields a team of kids and staff every year to clean-up an area park as part of Dayton Metroparks' annual spring Earth Day event.
Bowling with the Kids
Many of the kids in our program have never done things that most of us have done numerous times and never thought much of it. Bowling is one such activity. Once a year we take our kids to a bowling alley and let them learn about the joys and frustrations of the sport.
Biathlons
Usually occur three times a year. The Community Based Services/Building Bridges Biathlon is a sporting event made up of two disciplines, biking and a short distance run. The object of this event is to build a relationship, spirit of teamwork, self esteem, and trust with our youth. For the biathlon, the adult partners with a youth, and one member of the team has to bike, and the other one has to do a short distance run. The runner does a 5K run and the biker pedals about six miles. If the adult or their assigned youth are not athletically inclined, the adult and youth could power walk the race. After the race, medals are awarded to the top three teams, ribbons go to all participants with their posted time, and everyone goes to a picnic and game activity.
Softball Tournament
Riverdale Optimists sponsors our annual softball tournament at Delco Park vying the Building Bridge's Community-Based Services team against other units in Juvenile Court Probation. Most of our youth have never participated in an organized baseball/softball program before entering our program. The youth learn the rules and fundamentals of play for slow-pitch softball. The team is co-ed, with an emphasis on teamwork, fundamentals, and enjoyment.
Kickball Tournament
This program offers Community Based Services/Building Bridges youth the opportunity to compete in an atmosphere where sportsmanship and participation are encouraged. Each unit in Juvenile Court Probation enters a co-ed team in the competition.
Back-to-School Extravaganza
Every year before school starts we host our kids and those from the other probation units to an event where each receives a back pack filled with school supplies to help them navigate the upcoming school year. These gifts plus food and activities make it a rewarding day for the kids.
Classic 5K Run/Walk
In addition to being our largest fundraising event, our annual 5K Classic hosts kids and supporters in a run/walk followed by food and drink.
Ghost & Goblin Run
Our 5K run near Halloween invites kids & staff to a hearty outing and meal.
Haunted Caves
As part of our Halloween activities we take the kids on a tour of the Haunted Caves in Lewisburg, Ohio.
Halloween Party
Costumes, food, and activities entertain our kids at our annual October Halloween Party.
Ron's Gobble Gallop
Each year on Thanksgiving morning we invite kids, staff, and supporters to join us for a 2.5 mile run/walk in honor of Ron Reigelsperger. Ron was the director of Building Bridges for decades and made a huge difference in the lives of countless kids who passed through the program.
Thanksgiving Feast & Meals
Our holiday sponsors and donors make Thanksgiving special for the families of many of our kids and others in the juvenile probation units. We deliver Thanksgiving meals to families and attend the Thanksgiving Community Feast hosted by Sunlight Village.
Annual Christmas Party
All of the kids from Juvenile Court Probation are invited to attend our annual Christmas party at the Northwest Recreation Center. Our sponsors, donors, and shoppers make sure that the kids, and often their siblings, get gifts from Santa, who also is in attendance. Lots of food, handicrafts, a basketball tournament, pictures with Santa, and other activities make it a busy day with lots of smiles.