What do snow cones, hula hoop contests, and carnival games all have in common? They were all part of a free end-of-summer carnival for local kids, put on by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento! The carnival was the final event of a free five-week summer camp, which included arts and crafts, sports, and local field trips. Interns from Cordova High School supported the program while learning important career skills for their time in high school and after.

Adreana Rubio, Coordinator at Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento, led the summer camp program with the goal of creating a welcoming space for students to express themselves.

“I feel having a program where kids can truly express who they are is important,” said Adreana. “After-school programs give kids that liberty and help them discover their talents. I think that’s the magic of the Boys & Girls Club.”

Gina Spikes, a senior at Cordova High School, said her favorite part of the intern experience was working with kids. “I think working with kids is really special, especially because they give such a different perspective than what we’re typically around. Being at the end of my high school career and being around kids so young and innocent is actually really refreshing.”

But the interns didn’t have all the fun; the kiddos had a blast too! J’Nia, a 10-year-old Riverview STEM Academy student, said her favorite part of the summer camp was the field trips. She said, “I liked going to the pool. We got to hang out and relax and have swimming competitions, and I came in second place!”

The interns completely developed the end-of-summer carnival, from planning to setting up games to shaving ice for snow cones. This program was run by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento and supported by a grant from the City’s Community Enhancement Fund.