“What took so long?”

For almost three decades, parents of young boys have been asking for a Hot Shots program for boys. They heard about the program’s dedication to building tots’, pre-K and kindergarten girls’ self-esteem, athletic skills, love of reading, parental bonds, and public speaking skills, and they wanted it for their sons.

With the launch of the winter Hot Shots Creativity Club, where the participants learn hip-hop, sculpting, drumming, Irish Step dancing, painting, singing, acro-dance, and more (see piece about the Creativity Club below), Director John Wilpers said it was finally time to invite boys to join the fun and learning.

“Back in 1996, we created a girls-only soccer program because opportunities for girls were very limited,” Wilpers said. “We also observed that boys and girls progress at different rates, and boys were often rough and intimidating.

“But when we launched the Creativity Club, it occurred to us that painting, dancing, and drumming are hardly contact sports, so we thought it was time to bring in the boys!” Wilpers said.

In addition to dance, music, and art, all the classes feature 100% parent participation, a weekly story time, five books to take home every Sunday, and public speaking (kids introducing themselves) — all aimed at learning, having fun, and building each child’s parental bonds, love of reading, and self-esteem.

More information can be obtained by emailing Wilpers at john@bgcmarshfield.org or texting/calling him at 617-688-0137. Registration is at the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield website (bgcmarshfield.org/s/hot-shots).