2023 Basketball Registration Now Open

Gettysburg Optimist Basketball: “Bringing out the best in kids!” for over 55 years.

It began way back in 1965 when the Optimist Club of Gettysburg sponsored the first Optimist Youth Basketball program for youngsters from the Gettysburg area.  It sought to teach the fun and fundamentals of basketball to youngsters in grades K through 6, regardless of their individual skill level. At the start the program rules were very simple, though some thought them to be revolutionary. All kids played, all focused on the fundamentals of the game, no score keeping, and all participants were required to have fun.

Over 55 years later the Optimist Youth Basketball Program continues to observe the same set of rules and still reaches out to the youth of the community who want to learn the game of basketball, have fun and share an experience that forms life-long memories. The program is conducted Saturday mornings over eight weeks of winter. Currently each one-hour session is held at the Gettysburg Area Middle School or Lincoln Elementary every Saturday in the months of January and February. The players are divided into grades K-1 and grades 2-3 and grades 4-6. All participants are encouraged to attend, even if they cannot commit to attending all the weekly sessions. Each boy and girl receive a free basketball tee-shirt as a memento of their experience.

This year’s registration will be held December 10th from 10-12pm in the Gettysburg Middle School Cafeteria. Sessions begin January 7, 2023, in the Gettysburg Middle School Gym and will occur every Saturday through the end of February. The schedule is as follows; Grade K-1 9-10 am, Grade 2-3 10-11am, Grade 4-6 11-12pm. Children can be registered by attending a sign-up session, completing an online form at gettysburgoptimist.com or by printing the paperwork from our website and mailing the registration to PO BOX 3035 Gettysburg, PA 17325.

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg Youth Basketball Program is one of the many youth-oriented programs conducted and funded by the local Optimist Club each year. Club members, parents and community volunteers act as leaders, monitors, coaches and mentors.  Many of them were once young participants in earlier programs and are now coaching and mentoring their children and grandchildren. Since its inception more than 5000 area young people have participated in the annual basketball outings.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW

 

 About the Gettysburg Optimist Club

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg was chartered in 1958 and continues to be dedicated to providing young people with positive activities and learning opportunities. Club members are men and women who come from all walks of life and who are united in an effort, “To Bring out the Best in Kids!”To learn more about the Optimist Club of Gettysburg and their many programs, activities and a membership opportunity, visit http://www.gettysburgoptimist.com/, visit us on Facebook or call 717-220-3416.

Optimist Hoops Registration Form

Gettysburg Optimist Basketball Schedule 2023

Saturday, January 7
Saturday, January 14
Saturday, January 21 – Photo Day  (tentative)
Saturday, January 28 – Make Up Photo Day (tentative)
Saturday, February 4
Saturday, February 11
Saturday, February 18
Saturday, February 25

Are you Interested in Coaching or Volunteering? We’d love to have you join us.  Please start by filling out the following form and apply for the required clearances.  We “Thank You” as we couldn’t offer this program without the many gracious and generous volunteers.  Optimist Club of Gettysburg Volunteer Waiver

 

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Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2022

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg met on Wednesday, August 25, 2022, 6:00 PM at Hoss’s Steak and Sea House. We had 13 members present for our meeting. President Gary welcomed all in attendance for our meeting.

 

Business Meeting:

 

  1. Secretary’s Report: Approved.
  2. Treasure’s report: Approved
  1. President’s Report:
    1. President Gary discussed our participating in the Keystone active Veterans Christmas Card event and several members agreed in this great project. Christmas Cards will be available at our October meeting.
    2. President Gary thanked Wayne and Sue for a wonderful summer picnic and sharing their home with all who could make it.
    3. On 8/3/2022 Optimist Meeting & 4th Quarter Zone Meeting, was held at GARA fireman’s pavilion.

New Business

  1. Our new promotion brochure is available, and we should always have one in our possession. If you need some promotion brochures, contact Daryl and one will be mailed to you.
  2. Discussion regarding repair of the Optimist Amphitheater will be investigated and report back to the club by Daryl.
  3. Proposal for a spring youth 9-hole golf tournament approved. Randy, Walt, and Gary agreed to plan this event.

Old Business

  1. Basketball Committee (Chairs Chris Bender & Brian Skidmore)
    1. No report.
  2. Golf Committee (Chair Steve Burton)
    1. No report.
  3. Respect for Law (Chair Doug Miller)
    1. No report
  4. Oyster & Shrimp Feed Committee (Chairs Wayne Hill & Stacey Schlosser)
    1. Oyster/Shrimp Fundraiser cancelled (3/13/2022)
  5. Gettysburg Wine & Music Festival Parking Committee (Brian Skidmore)
    1. 9/10 & 11/2022 Wine Festival Parking
    2. Call or email Brian if you can help with this great fundraiser.

 

  1. Adams County Foundation Giving Spree (Chairs Joe MacDowell & Fred Darling)
    1. 11/3 ACCF Giving Spree.org
    2. Joe addressed our members on the benefit of giving through the Adams County Foundation which adds/increases approximately 3% to the revenue received by all of the 501C3 non-profit organizations who participate in this event including our Optimist Club.
  2. RIF & Environmental Ed (Chair Lyne Aurand) – Our board of directors proposed we contact the schools who receive monies for RIF and Environmental Ed since the funds are available, club membership agreed. Funds to be distributed by September 30.

 

Upcoming Dates:

  • 9/7/22 No meeting
  • 9/10 & 11/2022 Wine Festival Parking
  • 10/5/22 Officer Installation at Mansion House, Fairfield, PA
  • 11/3 Adams County Foundation Giving Spree
  • 11/16 Optimist Meeting 6PM at Hoss’s
  • 12/7 Optimist Christmas Party at Gettysburg Fire House

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Daryl Aurand, Secretary

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Optimist Parking Fundraiser – Gettysburg Wine and Music Festival

Saturday, September 10 | Sunday, September 11 

Parking on site at the Wine and Music Festival is free, however our wonderful volunteers from the Optimist Club of Gettysburg are happy to accept donations for their hard work. We’ll be helping park cars from morning to night to get you in and out efficiently. All proceeds go directly to our youth programs and activities in the community like the Optimist Basketball program, Reading is Fundamental and Outdoor Education. Any amount is greatly appreciated and will be used to help your community flourish.

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Meeting Minutes – June 1, 2022

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg met on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, 6:00 PM at Lake Heritage Community Pavilion. We had 19 members and 3 guests present for our meeting. President Gary welcomed all in attendance for our sixth meeting in 2022. We had char-grilled steak and all the fixings for dinner prepared by Gary, Walt, and Mark. Thank you, food committee, for a delicious meal. The evening was spectacular and enjoyed by all.

 

Business Meeting:

 

  1. Secretary’s Report: Approved.
  2. Treasure’s report: Approved

 

  1. President’s Report:
    1. President Gary attended the Third quarter Zone meeting 5/17 in York.

Old Business

  1. Basketball Committee (Chairs Chris Bender & Brian Skidmore)
    1. Brian introduced Coach Chris Davis and family who volunteered with our Optimist basketball program. Our program touched over 180 boys and girls from the greater Gettysburg area.
  2. Golf Committee (Chair Steve Burton)
    1. Tom reported our 12th annual “Clyde E Williams Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament” a success. We had 84 golfers participate. Thank you members for your support and volunteering your help, this type of event needs everyone to be a success. We cleared $6,000.00.
  3. Respect for Law (Chair Doug Miller)
    1. Event held 2/23/2022
    2. No report
  4. Oyster & Shrimp Feed Committee (Chairs Wayne Hill & Stacey Schlosser)
    1. Oyster/Shrimp Fundraiser cancelled (3/13/2022)
  5. Gettysburg Wine & Music Festival Parking Committee (Brian Skidmore)
    1. 9/10 & 11/2022 Wine Festival Parking
    2. No report at this time.
  6. Adams County Foundation Giving Spree (Chairs Joe MacDowell & Fred Darling)
    1. 11/3 ACCFGivingSpree.org
    2. No report
  7. RIF & Environmental Ed (Chair Lyne Aurand)
    1. Money will be distributed in the Spring of 2023 after Wine Festival parking fundraiser.
    2. The amount in budget may be adjusted based on fundraising

 

 

New Business

  1. Summer meetings will be held at Lake Heritage pavilion. (6/1, 8/3, 9/7) Our July picnic location will be held at Wayne and Sue’s residence 7/20, details to follow.
  2. August 19-20 at Wyndham, Gettysburg is the Fourth Quarter Zone Convention. Gettysburg Optimist needs representation so mark this on your calendar. It will be in our backyard.
  3. Our new promotion brochure is available, and we should all always have one in our possession. I will have at the picnic for all attending. If you need sooner contact Daryl and one will be mailed to you.

Upcoming Dates:

  • 7/20/2022 Optimist Family Picnic at the Hill’s
  • 8/3/2022 Optimist Meeting & 4th Quarter Zone Meeting, location Lake Heritage Pavilion 6PM social, 6:30PM dinner
  • 8/19-20/2022 4th Quarter Joint Convention at the Wyndham, Gettysburg
  • 9/7/2022 Optimist Meeting
  • 9/10 & 11/2022 Wine Festival Parking
  • 10/5/22 Officer Installation at Mansion House, Fairfield, PA
  • 11/3 Adams County Foundation Giving Spree

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Daryl Aurand, Secretary

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Clyde E. Williams Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament

The Clyde E. Williams Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament had an amazing turnout and the weather was spectacular. However, we couldn’t have had such an amazing event without our sponsors. Our sponsors continuously show their support for our mission and make it so that we can continue to positively impact the youth in the Gettysburg community. We encourage you all to support them as much as they support us. Through this link https://gettysburgoptimist.com/our-sponsors/ you are able to find more information on our generous sponsors that work hard to show their appreciation for us.
We also wanted to thank all of the players that came out to support us as well. We hope you all had an amazing time out on the course!
Lastly, we would like to thank the Links for hosting this fantastic tournament and to all of the staff involved. You all helped everything run smoothly and made it such an enjoyable time.
Without any of you, this event wouldn’t have been able to happen and we appreciate each and every one of you so much.
Linked below are images from yesterday’s tournament and we can’t wait for next year!

Also, congratulations to the winners of the tournament! From left to right: Rob Reed, Jason Williams, Jim Williams, Scot Williams.
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Gettysburg Optimist Club Clyde E. Williams Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament

The day is finally here! Today, May 19th is the Gettysburg Optimist Clubs’ Clyde E. Williams Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament! Join us at 1pm at the Links at Gettysburg for this amazing event. We can’t wait to see everyone there!

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Gettysburg Optimist Club Clyde E. Williams Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament

Tomorrow, May 19th at 1pm is the Clyde E. Williams Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament! We’re optimistic for clear skies and sunny weather for this fantastic event, and it’s looking like mother nature is agreeing with us. We hope to see you there!

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Meeting Minutes for 5.4.22

Optimist Club of Gettysburg

Meeting Minutes

May 4, 2022

Bring Out the Best in Kids

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg met on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 6:00 PM at Deatrick Village Community Center. We had 12 members present for our meeting. President Gary welcomed all in attendance for our fifth meeting in 2022. We had a lasagna dinner prepared by Daryl and assisted by Mark Cropp.   

Business Meeting:

  1. Secretary’s Report: Approved.
  2. Treasure’s report: Approved
  3. President’s Report: 
    1. Third quarter Zone meeting is 5/17 in York. Contact Gary if you want to attend.
    2. Face of America, FOA was a good experience on April 24. I had a lot of fun. This is a great event that our community has been part of for many years. I would like to see the Optimist members get out and support in the future.

Old Business

    4. Basketball Committee (Chairs Chris Bender & Brian Skidmore)

      1. Brian reported that at our June 1st meeting we will be recognizing all Optimist basketball coaches.

    5. Golf Committee (Chair Steve Burton)

             a. ALL HANDS-ON DECK, sign up sheet for volunteers will be circulated.

             b. Tom and Dan reported our date of May 19 is set and our promotion information and registration link is on The Links at Gettysburg website. We are asking members to be proactive in helping promote as well as reserving this day to help.

    6. Respect for Law (Chair Doug Miller)

              a. Event held 2/23/2022
              b. No report

7. Oyster & Shrimp Feed Committee (Chairs Wayne Hill & Stacey Schlosser)

  1. Oyster/Shrimp Fundraiser canceled (3/13/2022)

8.Gettysburg Wine & Music Festival Parking Committee (Brian Skidmore)

  1. 9/10 & 11/2022 Wine Festival Parking
  2. No report at this time.

9. Adams County Foundation Giving Spree (Chairs Joe MacDowell & Fred Darling)

  1. 11/3 ACCFGivingSpree.org 
  2. No report.

10. RIF & Environmental Ed (Chair Lyne Aurand)

  1. Money will be distributed in the Spring of 2023 after Wine Festival parking fundraiser.
  2. The amount in budget may be adjusted based on fundraising

New Business

11. 5/18/22 Dollars for Scholars recipient Caroline Roy, meet via Zoom, 6PM on both the district Facebook and Youtube accounts, where you see a thank you from Caroline. 

12. Meeting for June 1st location will be Lake Heritage Pavilion, Gettysburg, PA. Mark, Randy, and Gary have agreed to prepare a steak dinner. We will not offer a Zoom option for this meeting due to no Wifi availability. We will be recognizing volunteer “Optimist Basketball Coaches” at this meeting. You will want to mark this date on your calendar.

13. Summer meetings will be held at Lake Heritage pavilion. (6/1, 8/3, 9/7) Our July picnic location will be held at Wayne and Sue’s.

14. August 19-20 at Wyndham, Gettysburg is the Fourth Quarter Zone Convention. Gettysburg Optimist needs representation so mark this on your calendar. It will be in our backyard.

15. Our new promotion brochure will be ready soon. 

Upcoming Dates:

  • 5/17/2022 3rd Quarter Zone Meeting, York, contact Gary
  • 5/18/2022 Optimist social @ Fourscore Beer Co., Gettysburg 6PM
  • 5/18/2022 Dollars for Scholars recipient Caroline Roy, meet by Zoom
  • 5/19/2022 Optimist Golf Tourney, The Links at Gettysburg, 1PM tee time.
  • 6/1/2022 Optimist Meeting, location Lake Heritage Pavilion 6PM, Coach recognition
  • 7/20/2022 Optimist Family Picnic at the Hill’s
  • 8/19-20/2022 4th Quarter Joint Convention at the Wyndham, Gettysburg
  • 9/10 & 11/2022 Wine Festival Parking
  • 10/4/22 Officer Installation at Mansion House, Fairfield, PA
  • 11/3 Adams County Foundation Giving Spree

Respectfully Submitted,

Daryl Aurand, Secretary

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Meeting Minutes April 6, 2022

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg met on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 6:00 PM at Deatrick Village Community Center. We had 10 members present for our meeting. President Gary welcomed all in attendance for our fourth meeting in 2022. We had a pizza dinner compliments of President Gary.

Business Meeting:

  1. Secretary’s Report: Approved.
  2. Treasure’s report: Approved
  3. President’s Report:

Old Business

  1. Basketball Committee (Chairs Chris Bender & Brian Skidmore)
    1. Brian reported that at our June 1st meeting we will be recognizing all Optimist basketball coaches.
  2. Golf Committee (Chair Steve Burton)
    1. ALL HANDS-ON DECK
    2. Tom and Dan reported our date of May 19 is set and our promotion information and registration is available on our website and on The Links at Gettysburg website. We are asking members to be proactive in helping promote as well as reserving this day to help.
  3. Respect for Law (Chair Doug Miller)
    1. Event held 2/23/2022
    2. No report
  4. Oyster & Shrimp Feed Committee (Chairs Wayne Hill & Stacey Schlosser)
    1. Oyster/Shrimp Fundraiser cancelled (3/13/2022)
  5. Gettysburg Wine & Music Festival Parking Committee (Brian Skidmore)
    1. 9/10 & 11/2022 Wine Festival Parking
    2. No report at this time.
  6. Adams County Foundation Giving Spree (Chairs Joe MacDowell & Fred Darling)
    1. 11/3 ACCFGivingSpree.org
    2. Joe reported our success from this event as a fundraiser.
  7. RIF & Environmental Ed (Chair Lyne Aurand)
    1. Money will be distributed in the Spring of 2023 after Wine Festival parking fundraiser.
    2. The amount in budget may be adjusted based on fundraising

New Business

  1. Meeting for May 4 location will be Deatrick Village Community Center, Gettysburg, PA. Daryl has agreed to prepare our dinner. We will offer a Zoom option for this meeting if anyone is interested. You will want to mark this date on your calendar.
  2. Marci Cropp discussed Face of America, FOA and encouraged Optimist members to help and support. A cheer station is scheduled for Sunday April 24, Noon at Rosie’s Collection.

The dates are April 22, 23,24, 2022 Contact Mark or Marci for ways to help. This is a great event that our community has been part of for many years.

  1. Summer meetings will be held at Lake Heritage pavilion. (6/1, 8/3, 9/7) Our July picnic location is to be determined.

Upcoming Dates:

  • 2/4/2022 STARS ceremony 7:30AM GASD senior high cafeteria postponed till April
  • 4/22,23,24 Face of America
  • 5/4/2022 Optimist Meeting, location Deatrick Village Community Center 6PM, Zoom would start after dinner.
  • 5/19/2022 Golf Tournament
  • 9/10 & 11/2022 Wine Festival Parking
  • 11/3 Adams County Foundation Giving Spree

Respectfully Submitted, Daryl Aurand, Secretary

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OPTIMIST CLUB OF GETTYSBURG MEETING MARCH 16 2022

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg met on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at the Deatrick Commons Community Center. We had  12 members present for our meeting. President Gary Rappoldt opened the meeting at 6:30pm with an invocation, followed by an outstanding dinner provided by Mark and Marci.

Speaker   After dinner President Gary introduced the speaker for the evening, Mr. Steve Heidecker representing the “Dollars for Scholars” program. This program provides scholarships for qualified students. He mentioned that the Optimist Club was one of the original supporters of the program.

Business Meeting

Secretary’s Report: Approved

Treasurer’s Report: Approved

Basketball Program: Brian reported that the January program was cancelled. There were 4 sessions in February with 150 youngsters attending. Brian said that the kindergarten session may be eliminated next year.

Golf Outing: Dan Mattern reported about a new fund raising element being introduced called “helicopter ball drop“. Basically you would purchase a numbered golf ball, or balls, which would be dropped on the green from a helicopter. If your ball goes in the hole you win a cash prize. Balls are $10.00 each, and you can purchase as many as you wish. This would be at the Golf Outing on May 19. So tell your friends !!

Respect for Law:  Doug Miller assembled an excellent program at the Adams County Court House. Two individuals were recognized by the Optimist Club for their support of the law. They are Kathy Hileman, Adams County Adult Corrections Warden and Larry Snyder Deputy Warden.

Wine Fest: Brian reported that plans are progressing very nicely.

Member Comments: Marci and Mark commented about the “Face of America” bike event on the 24th of April. There will be about 400 participants and volunteers are needed.

Upcoming Dates:
5/19/2022 Golf Tournament
9/10/2022 Wine Festival Parking

Optimistically submitted, Fred Darling

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