Summer bowling brings families closer, makes new friends

Posted on June 27, 2018 By Editor Junior Residents

One local boys and girls organization is beginning to see a comeback as parents want opportunities to form lifelong bonds with their children. The Native Sons & Daughters of Jacksonville offer programs – and social outings – that emphasize the vital role parents play in their child’s growth and development.

The organization isn’t new. It’s roots go back more than 50 years when the program was affiliated with the YMCA. “I’ve met locals all over Duval and Clay counties who, as far back as the ‘60s, were in our program as kids,” said Ray Junk, recruitment chief for the Timucuan Longhouse. “In recent years our membership has largely been located on the east side of the river from San Marco to St. Augustine. Recently, some parents in Ortega who remember being in the program with their dads back in the ‘70s and ‘80s found us and have gotten together to create new ‘tribes’ with their kids and bring the program back to the Ortega/Avondale area.”

The club is currently hosting games of scotch doubles bowling, every Sunday through July 22, 5-6:30 p.m. at Bowl America Mandarin, 10333 San Jose Blvd. Members can bowl to each their Summer Bowling Patch or compete to win one of the three best bowler trophies.

It’s a fun way to beat the heat, keep the little ones indoors where it’s cool and make new friends with the Native Sons and Daughters Parent-Child organization. For more information, visit nsdjax.org or contact Ray Junk at (904) 494-8919, [email protected].