Higley Drop-in Center for Youth

Opening back up for winter-spring!

2006-01-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

January 26th - Come for free pizza and root beer - and some new ramps!!!!

Drop in Open Tonight

2005-10-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

Come tonight for brownies and ice cream. L8ter.

Gilbert Drop in Center for Youth

2005-10-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

Come hang out and skate, bmx, roller blade, lay pool, basketball, dogdeball, play play station, or just hang out with friends. We'd love to have ya here. Peace.

Working on Ramps

2005-10-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

We have a fellow still working on getting us some new ramps. So, keep an eye out - new equipment is coming.

Here is the article

2005-10-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

Gilbert center provides a haven
Goal safe, drop-in fun for youths

Oct. 8, 2005 12:00 AM

It's designed as a haven for kids who just want a safe place to skateboard, ride their BMX bikes and even get a little homework help.

The Gilbert Drop-In Center reopened this week after a monthlong break and has a number of activities planned for the fall.

The drop-in center runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Vineyard Community Church and the Great Good Place, 601 S. Cooper Road, under the direction of Pastor Ben Cloud and assistant Bill Shipman.
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"Mainly it is an environment to give them a nice safe place," Shipman said.

Besides biking, boarding and blading, the center offers homework assistance, games, basketball, pool and occasionally free food. New this fall are hip-hop and break-dance lessons.

There is no charge. The majority of kids who attend are not members of the Vineyard Community Church. The center is for kids 12 to 18 years old.

"We're not proselytizing," Shipman said. "The whole purpose is to reach out to any community kid to give them a safe place. They're not going to have any bad influences here."

The kids skateboard, bike and rollerblade in the parking lot of the church, using ramps and a small BMX course the kids built.

Kids who are skating must have a signed parental waiver and must wear a helmet and pads.

Attendance runs from 10 to 40 kids, mostly boys. The highest turnout has been 45.

The drop-in center opened about a year ago. It occasionally takes a monthlong break.

Kirsten Sorenson welcomes comments and story suggestions at kirstensorenson2005@hotmail.com.

Gilbert Drop in Back Open

2005-10-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

We are open until Thanksgiving weekend. Every Thursday night from 6:30-8:30. Love to have you there. This Thursday night we are having brownies and ice cream.

Article in Arizona Republic last Saturday

2005-10-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

Click here for the stuff!

Let's Take it Higher

2005-07-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

.at the Drop in Center

Eric working on Section of BMX track.

2005-07-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

.at the Drop in Center.

Why it is called the drop in...

2005-07-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

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High Flying.

2005-07-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

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It's a bird, a plane, no...just Darian.

2005-07-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

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.at the Drop in Center in Gilbert.
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The Big Picture

2005-07-16T17:07:00.000-07:00

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Extreme Tour is over

2005-07-16T01:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks again Garlic Jims, Underground Board Factory, Kronic drinks, Decision Clothing, SportsReach, Vineyard Community Church, Drop in center volunteers.

The Winners of the competition were:

Blades: Junior
Skateboarding: Michael
BMX: Joey
Climbing: Harry

The Gilbert Drop in Center will sponsor and pay Michael and Joey to skate and bike at the drop in center the next four weeks.

Thanks everyone for all your help. It was a lot of fun.

EXTREME TOUR - July 11-15th

2005-06-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Where:

Freestone: July 11-12th
Gilbert Drop in Center: July 13th-15th

When:

3pm-9pm every night.
Sessions begin at 3pm & 6pm on July 13th-15th
Free Bar-B-Que each day
Free bottled water

Who:

Youth (12-18)

Why:

To see rock & roll bmx, skating, and rock climbing
To receive tips and training on how to do your thing
To learn about life and truth and all things valuable

How:

Just come on down to freestone or the drop in center. To participate in sessions get a release form from the the Gilbert Drop in Center and Pay $10 to cover insurance each day.

Garlic Jims in Gilbert Serves the Gilbert Drop In

2005-06-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

Proud to recommend:

Higley/Gilbert - NOW OPEN! CALL 480-507-5467
147 South Higley Road
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Store Hours: 11am-11pm

Garlic Jims supported us for the opening of our summer session. Kudos to them and we look forward to a long partnership with them.

Drop in Center Re-Opening for Summers

2005-05-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night June 2nd.

Come for free Pizza & Root Beer.

First Free BMX track in Gilbert

2005-05-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

The First free BMX track in Gilbert will be opening shortly with input from the community and those who know the best - bmx bikers. Also we just bought three new skate grind rails.

BMX Track Approved - Work to begin on June 9th

2005-05-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

We just got the insurance approved and the go ahead to start the BMX track at the Gilbert Drop in Center. We will be renting a bobcat to start shaping the course shortly.

Woohoo! See you there.

May Break for Gilbert Drop in Coming

2005-04-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

***Just a reminder we will be taking a break for the month of May at the drop in Center. Then on the first Thursday in June we will have free pizza as we open up again.

We are still working on getting the bmx track approved.

Thanks to all the community volunteers.

Staff and Community Volunteers Can now be recognized.

2005-03-31T13:20:00.000-08:00

by the orange shirts. If you need homework assistance, have a question, or need anything in regards to the drop in center - ask one of the fellows or felletes in the orange shirts that says Gilbert Drop in Center.

The Vineyard Community Church Serves Drop In

2005-03-31T13:18:00.000-08:00

The Vineyard Community Church in Gilbert has said it is ok to use the dirt parking lot to create a mini bmx track. Is that amazing or what? They have really been opening their doors to the community so they deserve a great big shout out from everyone here at the Gilbert drop in center.

Underground Board Factory

2005-03-25T22:46:00.000-08:00

Check this place out. Spent the week traveling to all sorts of board shops - won't mention there names here - and by far the greatest place we saw was a new place called the Underground Board Factory. Check them out. Here is why they are cool.

1. Good vibe
2. Helpful staff
3. Actually take the time to hang out with kids that skate
4. Great Mechandise.

Remember the Underground board factory. Go buy your stuff there. We bought two set of wheels from them: spitfire old school fatties and have been giving them out as prizes.

Go Underground board factory.

Check them out at:

Underground Board Factory

Hotdog Bun Eating Contest

2005-03-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

We had a great bun eating contest last night at the Gilbert Drop in. 3 guys ate 15 dry buns each with no water and won two pops and and $2.
Come join us.

Drop In Center Community Volunteer Keith K...

2005-03-10T20:39:00.000-08:00

has a brother who can skate. Check out these rad pictures of Carl K. He Shreds. We hope that he will visit us one day and show us what is up. Scroll down a bit and check out these pics.

Gilbert Drop In Center News!

2005-03-10T20:28:00.000-08:00

Drop in Center News for Gilbert!!!

Drop In Center has just signed and sponsored two emerging adults for skateboarding and blading. Pictures soon to follow.

Also, another heads up. We are bringing in three 28 foot tall climbing walls and a huge skate park with pro skaters this summer for Gilbertserve2005. More details to follow.

Tonight was a great night with lots of water and stuff. Hope you all had fun.

Emerging Adults

2005-02-25T17:22:00.000-08:00

40-50 kids at the Gilbert drop in center came last night to skate, do hip hop, bike, get homework assistance, play basketball, dodgeball. We played the milk drinking game last night and one young man drank 1 whole gallon - crazy. Nevertheless he won $30. Crazy. It was just a $5 prize but people around kept upping the ante and well.... San won the whole kit and kaboodle.

NEWS!!!!!!!

This summer we are bring 3 28 foot climbing walls and a professional skate team along with a massive portable skate park. Should be amazing. It will be happening around July 11th. So look forward to that.

Alright...Hope to see you one Thursday night at the Gilbert Drop in Center for Youth at 601 S Cooper Rd, Gilbert, Arizona. Skate On Gilbert!!!

Gilbert Drop in Center for Youth Update

2005-02-12T10:24:00.000-08:00

RAIN! RAIN! RAIN!

Since the rain came there was no skating or biking outside - but we opened the gym up for basketball and the great good place was opened for Pool, Cards, Uno, Snacks and hip hop dance lead by Gabe.

Also, don't forget their is homework assistance going on.

Drop In Center

2005-01-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

We had over 50 for our opening night. For some reason we had a billion kids on bikes jumping the ramp into the dirt lot - we had a crazy game of dodgeball - and only one injury.

The free pizza and rootbeers all went. We hope to see you soon.

2005 Grand Reopening - Jan 27th

2005-01-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

Come one come all - the Gilbert Drop in Center is re-opening, on January 27th, 2005. Some of the same will be on tap: billiards, homework assistance, snack-shop, skate-boarding (must have health form and permission form on hand), baskteball, etc.

Also, DJ Mint is returning with his smooth groovy tunes.

And finally: new on tap, will be hip-hop dance practices and break-dancing: more information to follow.

There will be free pizza and rootbeer the first night. Hope to see you there.

Gilbert Drop in on Skateboarding.com

2004-12-10T06:18:00.000-08:00

Check it out here.

Closed for Winter - Reopening Jan 26th

2004-12-10T06:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks everyone for a great fall season. We ended last night with around 40 people from the community. Michael won the limbo contest and DJ mint was spinning cds while Arthur was break dancing for us.

When we open back up we will have free pizza and root-beer and a battle rap contest as well as all the skateboarding equipment back out.

We are still in the process of trying to raise $8000 for the new ball hitch ramp. If you can donate we would appreciate it.

See you then.

Gilbert Drop In Skate Movies of Youth

2004-12-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

Ollie over Grind Rail

Launch and Gap

Gilbert Youth Skate Pictures at the Drop In

2004-12-04T14:27:00.000-08:00

GIlbert Drop in Pics and Videos Coming Soon

2004-12-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

I got some decent short videos and still pics of last nights drop in where we had around 35 youth from the neighborhood dropping in on the quarter pipe, grinding the rails, doing some great ollies (is that how you spell it) and generally just having a great time.

Last night we had:

Skating,
Dodgeball,
Pool,
DJ Mint,
Basketball
and a $5 prize for the one
who could drink the pop the fastest...

through their dirty sock that they were wearing. Gross.

Anyways...stay tuned for the pics...I hope to get them up by next Tuesday (or sooner if possible.)

Drop in Open Thursday

2004-11-30T10:44:00.000-08:00

Hope you had a good thanksgiving.

We'll see you there at the drop in center. All the skate equipment will be out. When you come - you must remember to bring your helmet and elbow pads. Also, you need to have the parental waiver signed. See you there.

Drop In Center Holiday Shutdown

2004-11-19T07:32:00.000-08:00

The Drop In Center will be closed the following Thursdays because of winter Holidays:

Novemeber 25th
December 16th
December 23rd
December 30th
January 6th
January 13th

We will reopen on January 20th. With Free Pizza and Root beer.

The last two dates it will be open this year is:

December 2nd
December 9th

Skate Boarding Last Night

2004-11-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

Last night at the drop in center we had around 30 kids. We finally got the skating equipments out: three grind rails, a wedge and a quarter pipe. Which means the insurance came through. But, for safety and liability sake there are rules for skating at the drop in center. They are:

1. You must wear protectice gear: Helmet and Elbow pads.
2. Release Form waiver to skate must be signed by parents
3. Health release form waiver must also be filled out and signed
4. Adult supervision must be present at all times.

That essentially means: NO skateboarding on the facilities except during drop in center hours. Thursdays: 6:30-8:30. We want everyone to be safe and to have a good time.

Last Night

2004-10-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

Another rainy night at the drop in center - and several new guests. We had probably over 20 at one point - some playing basketball, some riding bikes in the rain, others playing pool and ping pong. Didn't have many community volunteers - But thankfully Susie & Jordan each acted like two or three helpers as they rough-housed with the kids and had an overall great time.

DJ Mint was as smooth as ever - candles lit & headphone on. Though he didn't like the sour candy gum from the 'Tuck-shop.' Oh yeah, that is a new thing." We have a small snack shop that opens for a little while each night - selling rootbeer, gum, sour candy, ring pops, tootsie rolls, candy bars, and other assorted unhealthy things.

Hope to see you somenight there.

Tonight

2004-10-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

Was a good night at the drop in center. The rain kept some away - but we had most of the usual folks attending. We went out in the rain looking for people to give free root beers to, but only saw a few and they thought we were too weird so they mostly ignored us.

Tip for you: people don't trust others on rainy nights when most normal people are in bed. Still, I think two new people came - or people I didn't know.

We played pool - set up a junk food shop where we sell food, not for profit, just to have snacks for youth.

DJ mint still spun the sweet tunes. Hope to see you all out there sometime.

Peace.

Gilbert Drop In.

Last Night

2004-10-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

We had another good night. We had around 24. This time we did the outside hockey, some light football, opened up the basketball gym and had brownies and ice cream. Next week we open up the tuck shop - for selling junk food to help with costs of running the place. I'll post some pictures from the nights as soon as I get them uploaded off the camera. Thanks again to DJ mint - the music was in mint condition.

New Equipment, no insurance....yet.

2004-10-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

We just got a quarterpipe donated. A small one, but still scarier than I want to go down myself. We have two grind rails being made by David and a small wedge.

And we are still working on the insurance. Until we get that the equipment will have to be furniture to sit on.

However, we would like to raise $8,500 for a ballhitch ramp - so if you would like to donate to the Gilbert Drop in Center for Youth - email me at gilbertdropin@gmail.com.

Got one?

2004-10-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

I'm brainstorming how to get one of these for the drop in center.

Join us for Softball this Saturday at Freestone Park

2004-10-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

Folks from the drop in center will be playing some wee softball from 8:30-11:00 at Freestone park this Saturday. Just look for the group on one of the softball fields. Hope to see you there.

Pics from Opening Night

2004-10-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

New Friends

DJ Mint

Friends

Homework Assistance

Pool

Skating

Hanging Out

More Homework Help

First Night was Huge Sucess

2004-10-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

We had over 30 people from the neighborhood and surrounding communities over tonight. DJ mint sounds cut the night air, smooth and beautiful. We had a couple skaters and the rockets were flying. I will follow with some pictures of the events.

GRAND OPENING TONIGHT

2004-10-07T15:12:00.000-07:00

COME SEE DJ MINT

COME WATCH MUSIC VIDEOS ON THE BIG SCREEN

COME GET FREE PIZZA & ROOT BEER (IBC)

COME HANG OUT - GET OUT OF THE HOUSE (YOUR PARENTS GOT A DATE!!!)

Welcome via Gilbert Indepedent

2004-10-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

If you are coming from the article in the Gilbert Independent we welcome you here. We hope this turns out to be a great partnership between the youth of Gilbert and the volunteers at the Gilbert Drop in Center.

Please come tomorrow night for free:

1. Pizza
2. Rootbeer
3. Live DJ
4. Playing Games
5. And even a bit of homework help if you need it.

See ya there.

Some more cool skateboards

2004-10-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

Glory Skate Boards

Come One Come All.

2004-09-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

In 8 days the drop in center opens

October 7th - 6:30-8:30

Free Pizza, Free RootBeer

DJ Mint will be there.

2004-09-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday night we went around passing out flyers and talking to people. Two more Thursday before the big day.

2004-09-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

More Surveys

2004-09-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

Last night we spent more time walking around the neighborhood, talking to youth at the movie theatres and seeing what it is they want in an "ideal place to hang out." Mostly, what the kids want is to just be with their friends. That we can provide. The Gilbert Drop in Center for Youth exists as a place to serve the youth of Gilbert with a place to hang out with friends.

Last night Joel and Elena met a group of young adults who were going around picking up old couches and taking them to one's guys house to hang out and talk. It was bulk trash pick up and they had picked up a bunch of couches. So, that was a pretty cool little encounter. I hope to see them at the drop in center some day.

Next week we will pass out flyers around 85233, and hopefully the information will get in the Gilbert Independent.

See ya all later.

Press Release Rough Draft

2004-09-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

Press Release - Looking for suggestions
Gilbert Drop In Center for Youth Opens

by Benjamin Cloud

The youth of Gilbert have a new place to hang out, play pool, skateboard, or get help with homework starting October 7th. The Portal Youth Services, in conjunction with VCF Gibert will run a drop-in center for youth every Thursday from 6:30-8:30pm. "We hope to create a safe and free place for youth (ages 12-18) to hang out with friends under supervised guidance," says Ben Cloud the Director of the Gilbert Drop In Center. On October 7th there will be free pizza & rootbeer along with Arizona's own DJ Mint. The Drop in Center has a gym for basketball, a game room with a free pool table, along with an air hockey, fuss-ball, and ping pong table. The game room has a large projector screen and two additional tvs, along with DJ Mint, a local DJ who plays every other week. In addition there is free homework assistance in 1/2 hour intervals. Some of the volunteers from the community include current teacher's aides, high school students, a certified public accountant, and certified English teachers. The facilities are located at 601 S Cooper Rd. The Drop In Center is on the Northeast corner of Candlewood and Cooper, between Elliot & Warner at the smaller building on the VCF Gilbert campus. Parents are encouraged to find out more by checking the web site at www.gilbertdropin.com or by emailing gilbertdropin@gmail.com.

Youth Center for Gilbert Teens

2004-09-09T20:44:00.000-07:00

This is the place for all things Youth and Gilbert. Check back often at the Gilbert Youth Drop in Center for Youth Activities and Youth Events. Gilbert Youth are invited to come hang out, etc.

We are planning our Grand Opening on October 7th. DJ Mint will be playing live - room will be open for pool, fussball, air hocey,

free:

rootbeer and free pizza!!!!!!

Gilbert Drop In Center Resources Coming Together

2004-09-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

Surveys were passed around the local community last night. One young man named Daniel said that he would be interested in coming if there were skate ramps, and said he thought his friends would come around if that was the case. He believed Freestone was too far away for people to go. So, here is what we got so far in the works:

Our friend Tom is looking at building us a mini-skate ramp:
(Quarter Pipe)

Our friend David is looking at building us some grind rails. Don't know if it should be square or round. Any suggestions from the community?

Here is a square grind rail:

Here is a round grind rail:

And we have Arizona's own, DJ Mint who is looking to play every other Thursday just do give us a sweet background vibe. Here he is:

Meeting Tonight

2004-09-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

We looked at the survey and talked about how we might modify it a smidge to see how we can find out just what the youth in Gilbert want in a "place to hang out." We talked about making a flyer that might appeal to youth - so here we go: "Youth, what the heck kinda flyer is going turn you on."

Action Items:

1. Tom is working on building us a skate ramp
2. Susie is talking to a welder about getting us a slide rail for skaters
3. Next week we are going to walk around the streets talking to kids and seeing if they would be interested in a drop in center.
4. Joel is going to talk to his friend about getting flyers made - glossy ones.
5. Talked about making a parent flyer
6. Talked about having studying places for kids. We are certified teachers and some with expertise in math and English.

Meeting Last Night

2004-08-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

We discussed:

Draws:

Bands? Battle of the bands?
Music
Place to Study
Food
Games
Skateboard ramps
relationships
Basketball & Pool tournaments

Considerations:

Making a survery to get kids interest, first line of advertising
Making flyers to pass out
Passing out flyers at Wendy's, Movie theatres, & Friday Night football games

Concerns:

Security
enough volunteers
rules, if any
Waiver forms for stuff like skateboard ramps
Helmets

Comment some if I left out a big part.

1st Planning Meeting

2004-08-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

Currently, the Gilbert Drop in Center will open on October 7th. Our first planning meeting will happen tonight at 601 S Cooper Rd from 6:30-7:30.

Resources Needed

2004-08-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

Looking for Donations for the Gilbert Drop In Center:

1. Old video game machines that were abandoned -- Freebies
2. Fold Away Snooker Table - $300
3. Old Guitars to be used for Community Guitar Lessons - Freebies
4. Used Decks of Cards - Freebies
5. Used Board Games - Freebie
6. Ping Pong Balls, Fuss Balls, Volleyballs

What we already have at the drop in center:

1. Great Pool Table
2. Air Hockey Table
3. Ping Pong Table
4. Fussball Table
5. Tables, Chairs
6. Couches
7. Video machines, TVs

Planning is underway

2004-08-17T20:51:00.000-07:00

4-6 of the leaders will be gathering on Thursday the 26th to start planning ways to reach the community and draw in the youth. We are excited about the opportunity to serve the youth in Gilbert with games, activities and mentoring services. We will let you know more as time progresses.

GIlbert Drop In Center Website

2004-08-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

This will seek to be a place where people in Gilbert can find out what is going on in the drop in center in Gilbert. The drop in center is a place for:

1. Gilbert youth 12-18 to hang out in a safe environment.
2. A place of music, videos, hanging out
3. A place of pool, air hockey, table tennis, basketball
4. A place supervised by adults who are finger-printed by the state for accountability purposes