By Evelyn Wall

Special to the News-Herald

 

The fourth annual Back to School Jump Off is returning this year on Aug. 27 at the East Suffolk Recreation Center, 138 S. Sixth St., from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Local urban line dance groups known as the “757 Crew” are joining together to host the event. There will be games, school supply giveaways, line dancing and more. This event will serve a total of 300 children.

During the event, students can play games of their choice and win school supplies. At the end of the event, every child participant will have opportunities to receive supplies for the upcoming school year.

Last year, game stations included: “Frisbee Tic-Tac-Toe,” “Inflatable Ring Toss,” “Match Ocean Bingo,” puzzles, a duck matching game, a carnival ring toss game, a parachute game, “Inflatable Dice,” a scavenger hunt, clothes pin drop, “Bucket Ball Toss,” and “Can bean Bag Toss.”

One of the most popular games of the event was the “Book Bag Walk,” which is a game similar to musical chairs Past winners from this game have won colorful backpacks to carry with them for the school year.

Along with games, participating families will enjoy free food and access to information booths about various topics including information from participating pre-school childcare services.

Also, many families will have opportunities to line dance, meet line dance instructors, and receive information on joining line dance classes within the area.

Last year, more than 175 students and parents attended the event, which was also held at the East Suffolk Recreation Center.

Tempestt Boone, coordinator of the event and instructor of the BAC Sliders line dance group in Hampton, has been heading this program annually for the past four years.

“The purpose of this program is for us to give back to students of our communities, because we want to be a part of the village that helps raise our future leaders,” Boone said. “The way that the economy is today, their parents can use some help in obtaining supplies to save as much money as possible for other important purchases.”