Happy spring to everyone in Gilpin County! With the change of season upon us, Friends is busy with activities at the Community Center. First up is an event on May 15th, 2024, that everyone is invited to—a special occasion marking our fifth year of service to the Center and Gilpin County.
Every year, we hold an open meeting for Gilpinites to come learn about the Center and what FGCCC has been doing in cooperation with the Center’s staff. This year, we are offering a delicious bribe: a dessert bar. Come munch on sweets, fruits, and other treats and take the opportunity to talk with county officials about future of the center, its funding and improvements planned for 2025.
In addition, we’ll be giving special awards to five volunteers who, over the past few years, have given unstintingly of their time and talents to help us help the Center and its programs. They range from volunteers who teach special classes, to folks who volunteer to help make the fair a success, and more. Come and help us applaud the special people who volunteer at FGCCC and the community center at this free—and tasty—event!
We’ll also unveil plans for a volunteer program specifically tailored for the Center. All volunteers are welcome! We have many activities planned this year and look forward to sharing them with you.
Are You Ready for Some Gilpin Flag Football?
Friends of the Gilpin County Community Center is excited to announce that we’ve received a Denver Broncos Foundation grant to support the “Flag Football for Mountain Youth” program for 2025. Friends is working closely with the Gilpin County Parks & Recreation team to assist in the development of this program and to extend the flag football program started in 2024. The camp in May will also be a fundraiser for the Gilpin School Football program.
The funds will allow us to acquire essential equipment such as first down marker chains, footballs, mouthguards, jerseys, plus snacks and t-shirts for participants.” The 2024 flag football program was very popular and served 30 participants.
The 2025 program includes a camp in May and some league play or another camp later in the summer, with space for 60 participants ages 5 and up from all our mountain communities, including Nederland and Coal Creek Canyon. We will also use the Denver Broncos Foundation funds to help offset the cost of registration from $60.00 to $40.00 per participant. If a Gilpin County participant cannot afford the discounted $40 fee, we’ll help pay for it through our Heart of the Community fund.
The flag football program opens with the Youth Flag Football Camp, running from May 19th – 31st, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Pete Gones Memorial Park. The camp ends with a Football Jamboree on May 31st at the Gilpin School. Gilpin County Parks & Recreation is handling registration and participation, so contact them for more information.
Come for the 5K, Stay for the Wine and Snacks
The Gilpin County Community Center is holding its first-ever Spring 5K run at the Center on May 17th. It’s called the Spring Wined Up 5k Walk/Fun. After the run, meet up with all of us at the Barn for wine (for the adults), soft drinks for the young’uns, and snacks for all! Registration fees are $40 for age 21+, $20.00 for age 12-20, and $10 for age 11 and under. Includes wine, soft drinks, and snacks, plus a special beverage glass!
See the Gilpin County Community Center Web page about the Wined-Up Run to register.
Watch this space for more news about our June activities!