Let the Games begin

EDMONDS — The Edmonds Boys and Girls Club was again the host for the Goodwill Games, a carnival for 11 Boys and Girls Clubs around the region.

More than 500 youths participated in the 11th annual event July 30 at Civic Stadium in downtown Edmonds.

“We wanted an opportunity to bring kids together and practice sportsmanship,” Edmonds Boys and Girls Club director Bill Dalziel said.

Dalziel described the Games as a chance to celebrate diversity and for the kids to have fun.

This year the 11 clubs all selected different countries to represent the clubs and marched with their countries’ flag.

The Goodwill Games began with each club sitting in the bleachers behind its flag. Each club sang its camp song, then proceeded to file out of the bleachers onto the track and walked around the track in a parade of nations.

A variety of games and activities then started with the participants rotating through them. These activities ranged from a dunk tank with camp staff getting soaked to throwing a Frisbee through a hula-hoop.

Shannon White, a staff member at the Edmonds Club, said the hardest part of the Games is keeping the kids going through the various activities.

All the while, there was a barbecue for the kids to come and get a hot dog and a drink.

Peter Doolittle, a participating camper, said that he was most looking forward to getting beads for completing activities and trading them in for prizes. He said the Games were a good chance to make friends.

“We have each of the clubs pick a country and an activity, and then we call around for food donations for our barbecue,” White said. “The staff enjoy seeing the kids have fun. It’s nice to see the kids learn things about their country. The kids enjoy competing but they don’t take it too seriously.”

The Goodwill Games wrapped up with two final activities — the tug-o-war and relay races.

“There are other similar events, but this is the only one hosted in Edmonds,” Dalziel said.

For more information on Boys and Girls Clubs, visit bgca.org.