MARSHFIELD, MA… Back by popular demand, the Marshfield 5th Grade Dance will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield at 37 Proprietors Drive.
With the assistance of Friends of the 5th Grade, the Boys & Girls Club is hosting a night of music, fun and dancing. Tickets for the Marshfield 5th Grade Dance must be purchased in advance as space is limited.
The cost is $15.00 for entrance and a snack and tickets may be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/boys-and-girls-club-of-marshfield-55079867923
The Club held its first dance in January, and it was well attended by 195 Marshfield fifth graders. The high attendance rate is significant because the 5th Grade Dance is a “device-free” event. Cell phones and devices are not allowed among the young attendees or staff and volunteers.
“Nowadays, kids are entrenched in their phones and devices,” said Jim Bunnell, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield.
Among the findings of a Boys & Girls Clubs of America survey of teenage financial literacy, over 75 percent of teens have a cell phone.
Bunnell continued, “As a society as a whole, there has been growing concern over the hyper focus on cell phones instead of the friend or family member sitting next to them. Kids are losing those communication soft skills and important connections. In my opinion, devices distract from growing socially and interpersonal interaction.”
The Club tested this theory when they eliminated distracting devices at the first dance.
Bunnell added, “We had 195 fifth graders dancing, playing games, talking and having fun. Instead of focusing on their devices—gaming, checking social media and communicating only by text– they were communicating face-to-face. They’re fully engaged in the moment, which makes for a more fun and memorable event.”
The Club will continue to hold more events like these which encourage interpersonal interaction.
Another plus? The dance brings together fifth-graders from all five of Marshfield’s elementary schools, enabling them to meet (and potentially make new friends) in preparation for sixth grade when they will all attend the same school.
Bunnell noted, “We’re not trying to eliminate phones and devices. It’s more about providing fun times and meaningful experiences. It’s about bringing the kids back together socially.”
For questions regarding the dance, email the Club at membership@bgcmarshfield.org.
About the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield
The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s mission is to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders. The Club provides programming opportunities in the Boys & Girls Club of America’s (BGCA) five core areas including leadership, education, health, arts, and fitness. The Club serves families with children ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old, and provides critical services the community needs to support children and families over the short- and long-term. For more information, visit their website www.bgcmarshfield.org or call 781-834-2582.
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