Boys & Girls Club Blog

The Etiquette, Character & Afternoon Tea program is designed for girls ages 6-10 and focuses on developing positive character and leadership skills. All of the 60 girls in the program attend a series of 6 classes focused on healthy lifestyles and character development.

The finale to the classes is the Afternoon Tea event, sponsored by Bank First National, Silver Star Brands and Associated Bank, which will take place this year on Wednesday, August 15th from 12-2 p.m. at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel and Convention Center. The Tea brings together Club girls and local women to sip tea, chat and celebrate the girls’ completion of the classes. It is a great opportunity for members of the community to see the difference the Club makes in the lives of youth.

The classes in the program cover a variety of topics including healthy self-esteem, positive values, healthy lifestyles, setting goals, and proper manners. This year, classes will be taught by members of the Oshkosh Service League, Heidi Strand of Blue Door Consulting, Bemis, yoga instructor Vicki Wiese and author Gramma Be.

Walking into the room at the Afternoon Tea each year, the girls are always beaming. As a part of the program the girls receive new sundresses to wear to the Tea. They also get their hair professionally styled by local stylists. They are so proud of their class accomplishments and feel so confident in their dresses and special hairstyles.

Each year there is a short program which includes an accomplished and inspiring woman speaker. Past speakers have included 2012 Miss America Laura Kaeppeler, entrepreneur Lea Culver, former director of U.S. Venture, Inc. Sarah Schmidt and Shannon Bahrke Happe, an American Olympic freestyle skier and Emily Deem, co-anchor for FOX 11’s morning show Good Day Wisconsin.

This year’s speaker is Judy Hehr. Judy is a speaker, author, coach and radio host. She will talk about “History to Destiny” and her commitment to becoming the best version of herself. To learn more about Judy, visit her website: judyhehr.com.

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can get involved in this event, please contact Director of Advancement, Tracy Ogden at 920-233-1414, ext. 116 or tracyo@bgcosh.org.

Stylists are still needed to help create simple updos for the girls the day of the Tea. If you are interested in volunteering your time to style hair the morning of August 2nd, please contact Marketing Director Katie Huebner at 920-233-1414, ext. 122 or katieh@bgcosh.org.

For more information on the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, please contact the Club at (920) 233-1414, visit the Club online at bgcosh.org or find the Club on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@BGCOsh), Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn.

As always, the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh is a United Way Agency.