On July 28, the Panhellenic Council will host the first “Jamboree for the Junction” on the Green, featuring student performances, games, and activities for children.
“Jamboree for the Junction” is supported by 26 organizations and features student performances, food, and carnival games. (photo courtesy of Courtesy of the Panhellenic Council)
The Saturday event runs from 12-4 p.m. and proceeds benefit The Junction, Listen’s Teen Lifeskills Center, which provides services for at-risk youth. Eliana Piper ’14, president of Panhell, says the new council members developed the idea for a community charity event shortly after they were elected in April.
“We knew we wanted to do a philanthropy event to benefit a local charity to further emphasize our dedication to the community,” says Piper, adding that The Junction is an ideal beneficiary for the event. “We think that their mission of creating a safe space for teens to become leaders is similar to the ideal mission of the Greek system.”
The Junction, founded in 2006, is a life skills center for youth run by Listen Community Services. The organization, based in White River Junction, Vt., provides numerous services for 15- to 20-year-olds, including mental health support, sex education workshops, and weeknight dinners. Amanda White, program coordinator for The Junction, says the organization is thrilled to be a part of the event.
“We are excited that The Junction has been chosen as the beneficiary for the carnival,” White says. “Community awareness and support are critical for programs like ours to be sustainable.”
Each of the 26 participating Greek houses will host an activity booth, including a face painting station, a moon bounce, and a dunk tank. There will be performances by Dartmouth dance groups SHEBALite, Splendaplum, and Camp Vandana, as well as student a cappella group Summerphonix. The rain location is Collis Common Ground.
Piper says the council chose to have the jamboree on the Green because it is a convergence point between the town of Hanover and Dartmouth. She hopes the location will bring together students and community members.
The jamboree coincides with Sophomore Family Weekend, which runs July 27-29. Andres Ramirez ’14, chair of Sophomore Family Weekend, says the jamboree supports a great cause, and he is glad families will take part in the festivities.
“Parents will experience firsthand an event where students interact with the town of Hanover and get a dose of the Dartmouth community,” says Ramirez. “Parents will also see the philanthropic side of the Greek system.”
Piper would like to see the jamboree become an annual tradition.
“It is my hope that an event of this nature will happen every year,” she says, “and that this cooperative event will strengthen ties with our community.”
