Boys & Girls Club Blog

August 6, 2025

Our National Night Out celebration was filled with fun, laughter and meaningful moments that brought families, kids and community partners together!

Children enjoyed a wide variety of activities, including Connect Four, cornhole, giant Jenga, bouncing in the inflatable house and digging for treasure in our sawdust pit. Face painting was a hit, and many kids walked away with colorful designs and big smiles. They also had the chance to pick out new books, win prizes and engage with our amazing community partner booths. Families also took time to explore the resource booths, learn about community services and connect with the people behind these valuable organizations.

As part of the evening’s activities, the Oshkosh Police Department offered hands-on experiences for the kids. Children were thrilled to step inside the armored vehicle, try on police helmets and hold their shields. The excitement continued as many explored the large police bus, which featured a live look at its onboard cameras. To top it off, local officers handed out stuffed animals, creating heartwarming moments we won’t soon forget.

The Oshkosh Fire Department also joined in the fun, giving kids and families an inside look at one of their fire trucks. Families were invited to climb aboard, check out the equipment and learn where firefighters sit during emergency calls. Each young visitor left with a fun sticker and a memorable experience, thanks to our local firefighters.

We’re so grateful for the presence of these public safety teams. Events like this give families and children a chance to build positive relationships with law enforcement and first responders, helping promote stronger, safer neighborhoods for everyone.

A special thank you to our Community Partners that joined us. Advocate Aurora Community Outreach, Breakwater Coalition, Children’s Wisconsin, Focus on Freedom/Empower Freedom, LLC, Foundations Health & Wholeness, Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team, Help Me Grow/First Five Fox Valley, Oshkosh Area United Way, Oshkosh Food Co-op, Oshkosh Public Library, Oshkosh YMCA, Probation and Parole, Rawhide Youth Services, Safe Families for Children, Starting Point/Fox Valley Technical College, UMOS, World Relief, Winnebagoland BMX and Youth & Family Grief Support Group at The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh.

Thank you to our food vendors, Chick-fil-A, Kona Ice, Pilora’s Café and Zoua’s Eggrolls, for serving up delicious food and sweet treats for all to enjoy.

We had a special guest join us, Pointer from the Wisconsin Herd. Thank you for bringing your energy and excitement to the kids!

Be sure to check out more photos from the evening on our Facebook Page!