Mayor Richard Crotty and the Board of County Commissioners awarded the Parks and Recreation Division funding for a countywide youth initiative, which will provide 20,000 Orange County youth with free and affordable recreation.

The Club, a membership organization for kids ages 5 to 19, will offer a wide array of recreational opportunities. Through partnerships within the community, prospective members can enroll in programs offered by private and non-profit organizations and municipalities. Once enrolled, they can opt to be a club member entitling them to all of the Club's benefits.

Youth must be an Orange County resident to participate in this program.

Our vision:
Through partnerships we will enhance lives by providing Orange County's young people with the resources to make positive choices that lead to successful futures.

Our mission:
Together we provide quality and affordable recreation for all of Orange County's youth.

Such a groundbreaking venture is a team effort. Through partnerships within the community, club members receive discounts at participating retail stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. And throughout the year, members will be able to attend large members-only special events sponsored by our club partners and coordinated by Orange County Parks and Recreation. The Parks and Recreation Division is making recreation programs and monthly events accessible by providing free LYNX bus rides. Club members may ride LYNX for free after school and on the weekends, just by showing the driver their membership card.

Through their membership, we will provide Orange County's youth with the resources and the tools to create positive futures for themselves.

Through our partner programs, members will learn: social skills, fitness, problem solving skills and creativity. Additionally, we will encourage independence and integrity.

We will:

• Open the doors to recreation that were once closed to so many.
• Provide an opportunity to learn art, music, dance and more while such programs are becoming less accessible through traditional education.
• Restore this community's perception of Orange County as a great place to live and to grow up.

Becoming a member is simple. To join, a prospective member must enroll in a participating recreational program. Recreational partners include county, city, non-profit and private organizations. Memberships are valid until September 30th of each year. Once expired, members must re-enroll in one of the many programs offered by our partners. For a complete listing of Recreation Partners visit the Club Web site. Once enrolled, a membership card entitles members to all of the Club's benefits.

• Prospective members fill out a prepaid postage mail-in registration card while enrolling in a partner program.
• Program partners stamp the completed card for validation purposes.
• Partners or members drop the card in the mail and once received, club staff send new members their membership card along with welcome packet.

• Membership cards are vaild until September 30th of each year.
• A few weeks prior to this expiration date, club members will receive a renewal notice by mail and e-mail.
• Members must return to a program provider of their choice and re-enroll.
• Once again, the registration form must be mailed to the Club headquarters.