On Thursday, November 21, PlayJC teamed up with the Junction City High School basketball coaches to host a kick-off event for the local 1st and 2nd grade YMCA basketball program. Coaches Nick Perez and Tim Testa volunteered time in the first practice of their seasons to provide an opportunity for mentorship between the high school teams and the younger players.
YMCA players learned about the importance of respecting their teammates and coaches, making good grades, and being kind. They also ran through some drills alongside the Blue Jays and Lady Jays players.
PlayJC looks forward to continuing this program with the second group of YMCA basketball teams in January, as well as similar collaborations between JCHS teams and local sports programs.
The Junction City Wrestling Club (JCWC) will hold their Beginner’s Clinic on November 12 and 13. This event is for new athletes who would like to try out the sport of wrestling before committing to joining the club. There is a fee of $10 (cash only) to participate.
Athletes should wear gym shorts (no zippers/buttons, please!), t-shirt, and socks. Participants with braces should wear a protective mouthpiece. Wrestling shoes are recommended but optional.
The next phase of the Playground Park project continues with approval from the City Commission. Phase Two will add a new basketball court to the park, complementing the playground upgrade from Phase One. According to the JC Post, the City and Quality Play for All will share the cost of the addition, which should range from $25,000 to $30,000.
Stay tuned as this phase of the project continues!
The purpose of the board is to promote and provide baseball opportunities for area youth, throughout the local and surrounding communities, in the forms of Recreational and Competitive Programs. We are looking for people who have a passion for youth sports/activities, especially in regards to recreational baseball. For baseball to be successful in the Junction City area, dedicated individuals are needed.
Interested parties are asked to email the JCJBA with a short blurb stating why you would like to be a part of the board.
Did you catch PlayJC on KSNT? We spoke with James Ryan about our mission to increase youth sports engagement and build a volunteer roster for our local leagues and organizations!
Check out our interview, and if you’re ready to volunteer with our local youth sports and activities, fill out our Get Involved survey!
On August 19, 2019, PlayJC Committee members and staff were invited to present to the Geary County Commission. PlayJC discussed their vision for local youth sports and activities to the commission and answered questions from the elected officials.
PlayJC thanks the commission for their time and consideration and looks forward to working with the county to bring new sports and opportunities to the Junction City community!
Kendall Schoenrock spoke with JC Now about future upgrades to Playground Park, including the performance space and other playscape equipment. He also covered the PlayJC Committee of Quality Play for All, its mission, and the current push to organize youth activities in Junction City.
The PlayJC.org Committee, an extension of the Quality Play for All Non-Profit, is now accepting volunteer information and building connections between volunteers, local youth sports groups, and other organizations.
After meeting with leagues and Junction City Recreation Department, PlayJC.org identified volunteer recruitment as a critical need for local youth sports and activities.
“Everyone is asking for more volunteers and this is an area we think we can help,” said Amber Schilling, PlayJC.org Program Coordinator. “From coaching to teaching classes, many organizations need support from the community to grow. We want to serve as a bridge between volunteers and the organizations in need. Please send us your information, and we will connect you with the right people.”
PlayJC.org went live in early July with information about local leagues, facilities, and continues to grow with new content every day. The committee continues to foster connections within the youth programming community, aid in new league development, and explore new sites for development.
Do you want to volunteer with a local team or teach a class at the community center? Fill out our form, and let’s get started!
In 2017, Quality Play for All set out to fund the Playground Park project. Obtaining funds from a Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) became a key factor in funding the project.
These grants require applicants to identify a service area and gather specific information related to income in the area.
Completing the Survey
Working with a professional grant writer, City Commission approval, and many community volunteers, Quality Play for All conducted a random survey of over 580 residents in Junction City. These residents provide key information about their household, including sensitive details about:
Disability
Education
Income
Race/ethnicity
The survey was completed in October 2017, and Quality Play for All received a CDBG for $188,244 in January 2018.
Other Uses of the Survey
Playground Park isn’t the only project to utilize this survey data. In 2018, the survey was put to use by the City to apply for funds for the Spring Valley Road improvement project. The City was awarded $425,000 in CDBG funds for the upgrades in early 2019.
Currently, the City plans to use the survey to apply for approximately $700,000 in funds for the roundabout at McFarland Road and Eisenhower Drive, according to the City Manager Allen Dinkel.
Impact on Our Community
With a value of over $613,000 already and the potential for up to $1,313,000 in grant funds, use of the income survey has proved invaluable for the Junction City community. The 2017 survey has been gold for us, said Allen Dinkel. Thanks to all who made that survey happen.
Unfortunately, the survey can no longer be used after this year. Future CDBG requests will require a new survey. If the 2017 survey is an indicator, any future income surveys will be more than worth the time, effort, and coordination put in by volunteers to complete the undertaking.
Future engineers and builders have the opportunity to help build a brand new Zenith CH750 CruZer full-size kit aircraft right here in Junction City!
Wing Nuts Kids is a youth aviation education program offered by Flint Hills EAA Chapter 1364. Middle and high school students can participate in this exciting program, which is held the 2nd Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to noon, at Freeman Field Airport. There are no costs to participate, and no registration needed!
Youth ages 8 to 17 can also become Young Eagles when they experience a free flight in a general aviation craft with Flint Hills EAA Chapter 1364.
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On August 19, 2019, PlayJC Committee members and staff were invited to present to the Geary County Commission. PlayJC discussed their vision for local youth sports and activities to the commission and answered questions from the elected officials.
The PlayJC.org Committee, an extension of the Quality Play for All Non-Profit, is now accepting volunteer information and building connections between volunteers, local youth sports groups, and other organizations.
