Extraordinary Experiences For Kids Held At French Lick

For Immediate Release
August 7, 2008

French Lick Resort to Host Special Group of Kids from Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago

Students, age 9-13, making their way to resort to enjoy "Extraordinary Experiences"

FRENCH LICK, IND. – Some of them have never been out of Chicago, let alone across state lines. Now 24 lucky children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago are heading out on an exciting adventure, compliments of French Lick Resort. Next Tuesday, August 12 a motor coach will be bringing the two dozen children to the Southern Indiana resort for a few days to experience the new children’s program, Extraordinary Experiences. Launched this summer, the program, for children 6-12 years old, offers a series of activities around the resort including Hoosier Safari, Hey Dude Ranch and much more. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our members,” said LaTrice Smith, Director of Program Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. “When exposed to opportunities like this, our young people are able to explore a world outside of their neighborhoods.” The Chicagoland children, age 9-13, were hand-picked by the site manager at each of the school-based clubs including Holy Angels, Paderewski, Wendell Green and Ford Height and were selected based on their participation throughout the summer program and their willingness to assist around the club. “We are very exciting to be able to offer a resort experience for these children who might not otherwise have had a vacation this summer,” said Dyan Duncan, Public Relations Manager. “Hopefully this experience will stay with them for a lifetime. Duncan also noted, the Extraordinary Experience program is a unique opportunity for kids to explore and express their creative side while making new friends and creating memories. About Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Founded in 1901, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago’s (BGCC) mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. We serve young people, ages 6 – 18, with a membership of 16,725 during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Our 24 Club sites, located throughout the city of Chicago in areas such as Pilsen, Bridgeport, Englewood, Uptown, Little Village and East Garfield Park provide programs in five core areas: Character and Leadership Development; Education & Career Development; Health & Life Skills; The Arts; Sports, Fitness & Recreation. We are uniquely dedicated to youth. The Clubs give kids places of their own, actual neighborhood- based buildings, designed solely for youth programs and activities after school. About Extraordinary Experiences THE HEY DUDE RANCH EXPERIENCE Location: Stables Cowboys, cowgirls, horses, ranch animals and hay wagons are waiting just for you at our “Hey Dude Ranch” experience. Guests will enjoy Wild West fun including a hay wagon ride from the resort to our “ranch”...meet “wild” ranch animals at our petting area... learn some “horse- sense” experience a private riding lesson western horse trail rides, create your own “western brand” T-shirt and even enjoy a chuck wagon lunch. This Wild West shindig starts at 9:00am and brings ya' back home by 1p.m. Partners 6 to 12 years of age are welcome. THE KID GAMES Location: Sports Center You don’t have to visit China this year for the Olympics; you can stay right here at French Lick and enjoy your own “Kid Games.” In these games, you are the “star athlete” as you participate in team games involving tennis, basketball, bowling and crazy lawn games (OK, so its not the Olympics, but you have a lot more fun and still win a medal). Athletes ages 6 to 12 are more than welcome. Guests are requested to wear appropriate (and comfortable) sports attire and tennis shoes. THE HOOSIER SAFARI Location: Resort Grounds/Hiking Trail Bugs and birds and bushes...Oh my!!...it’s an Indiana Safari where you wonder the Hoosier hills in search of wild animals (sorry, no lions, tigers or bears are involved). Join our safari guides on a hiking adventure through the grounds and learn of the wild creatures that roam these “jungles.” You’ll also have an opportunity to let the “wild artist” inside you escape as you create your own walking stick. KIDARTS Location: Arts Area in Kid’s Fest Let your creativity soar (you might even be the next Picasso) at our KidArts experience. You will explore the area for “inspiration”...choose 1, 2 or even 3 artistic mediums from water color painting to fashion design and then you can create “your masterpiece”. Its fun...it’s crazy...it’s for the artist in everyone. Artists ages 6 - 12 are welcome. Space is limited...reservations required. ON WITH THE SHOW Location: Stage in Kid’s Fest Love to perform (or think you might love to perform)? Do you want to be a “Star”? If you love to dance...sing...tell stories or even try your hand at the art of puppetry, then “On with the Show” is just for you. During this three hour experience you will actually create, rehearse and put on a show ( for parents, friends, family and who ever you want to invite...and who knows their might even be a talent agent walking by...hello Broadway!) Stars ages 6 -12 will be cast starting at 1:00pm. Space is limited...reservations required THE Wii GAMES Location: Wii Games in Kid’s Fest And the Wii Games winners are.......it could be you!! Imagine five different Wii games all in one location...a competition to see who’s the best. If this sounds like fun to you then the Wii Games are waiting...warming up and wishing you were here. The Games begin at 1:00pm at the Wii Games Tent located in the new Kid’s Fest at the French Lick Resort Sports center. THE “BAP” PARTY (Bowling/Arcade/Pizza Party) Location: Bowling Alley A private party just for kids where you can “BAP” the night away. You’ll have total access to bowling, arcade games and lots of pizza and snacks. A DJ will fill the party with your favorite music...its fun...its frenetic...it’s for you! HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL PARTY Location: KidsFEST You can see it...You can sing it...You can dance it...It’s a High School Musical Party. You can party with your favorite DVD and participate with our live singers and dancers in those great musical numbers from the film. KIDS FEST PARTY Location: KidsFEST Just imagine a Village just for kids...rockin' with a live band...a hang out place with films and food and...Wii Games! Now imagine that its right here at the French Lick Resort...because it is and your party starts at 6:00pm. Join your friends at a place designed just for you at the all new Kid’s Fest. THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED (KIDS GOLF) Location: Valley Links & Learning Center Have a budding Tiger Woods? Let the U.S. Kids golf professionals develop your child’s golf game. This day-long workshop teaches youngsters the fundamentals of the game and then gets them out on the 9-hole course for some action. French Lick Resort is a $500 million historic restoration that includes the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel. This premier resort and destination features 689 guest rooms and suites; a 42,000-square-foot, single-level casino; 45 holes of golf, including the fully restored 1917-designed Donald Ross Course at French Lick and the new, 18-hole Pete Dye Course at French Lick (opening 2009); two full-service spas with a combined 36 treatment rooms totaling 41,000 square feet; and an array of dining and entertainment options. For more information, please visit www.frenchlick.com or call 1-888-936-9360.

Contact:

Dyan Welsh
Public Relations Manager - French Lick Resort
812.936.5926
dwelsh@frenchlick.com

Tessa Higgs
Public Relations Coordinator - French Lick Resort
812.936.5861
thiggs@frenchlick.com