MILLARD K. IVES
AMERICUS-SUMTER OBSERVER

What organizers call a prevention program, the club opened its doors this year at 221 Forrest Street in Americus, GA. It has 50 members in its summer program. As the saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure," says founder and CEO Dwight Harris. The program prevents them from hanging out on the streets, from getting into trouble, from wearing pants sagging down, and from dropping out of school.

The bible based non profit program was started in March of this year. It involves children ages 8 - 18. It offers an array of activities including math tutoring by Darrell Sabbs, Jr., money matters, cooking classes on Thursdays, swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays, how to tie a neck tie, and many other skills for that age group. "We want them to be boys first and not rush into manhood too early. They are taught how to be gentlemen and the proper way to respectfully treat a lady," says Harris. Christian Arnett, 9, has learned how to cook bread and other foods. "It's been fun," Arnett said. Willie Peoples, 9, said he learned how many Books there are in the Bible.

Club member D.J. Harris, 12, said he's been to a number of camps but was quick to point out how the Dwight Harris Boys Club distinguishes itself from others.
There's just a lot more things to do here."

On loan from Fort Valley State University this week is the Mobile Information Technology Center-contained in a semi tractor ---which helps the children with computer skills.
Dwight Harris saw the need when he was coaching basketball for the recreation department. He noticed several boys did not have men in their lives. He used his own finances but he welcomes any donations, pledges, and sponsorships.

The program has scheduled a banquet for August 1, at 6 p.m., at the South Georgia Technical College, Pope Center.
For more information on the camp or the banquet, Dwight Harris can be reached at 229 942-7906.
"In closing, these boys don't care about what you know as long as they know you care," said Harris.