It all computes: Young volunteer helps keep local kids busy
Published: August 16, 2005
When it comes to helping out, Redlands Community Center volunteer Matthew Upton is staying in the game.
At 15, the teen has not only lent a hand to several community programs over the past two years, but for the last six months, has taken on the task of running the center’s computer gaming club, which meets twice per week.
“He’s just done a phenomenal job assisting us with a variety of different programs,’ said recreation coordinator, Dave Jaffe.
“Matthew has always been here to help us.’
Matthew estimates he puts in 10 to 12 volunteer hours at the gaming lab per week, and relishes how the center’s programs can help keep kids out of trouble.
The center’s computer lab is open for gaming two nights per week, Monday and Thursday evenings starting at 6:30 p.m.
For the first hour, players challenge each other in Counter-Strike. The second hour is spent playing either Far Cry or Unreal Tournament.
In Counter-Strike, players are divided into two teams terrorists and counterterrorists. Unreal is a capture-the-flag game.
“It’s everybody against everybody,’ said Matthew, while Far Cry is similar to Unreal Tournament. except that play occurs in a tropical setting.
“These are the easiest (games) to get into and (the) quickest games to play,’ he said.
All the games can be played on the Internet with strangers, but the community center players face off against eachother on a local network.
“Everyone that’s going to play is in (the) room,’ said Matthew.
The community center has been offering gaming since January but many players are experienced the first time they come in because the games have been around much longer, he said.
“Some of them tend to get a little too into the games,’ Matthew said, adding, “it’s mostly designed to give kids something to do, (and) something to spend their time with.’
“(It’s) better than (them being) on the street,’ Matthew said.
According to Matthew, none of the games have particularly graphic violence, but they are combative. Thus, each participant must have a parent sign a permission slip describing the game ratings before they are allowed to play.
“They do have a lot of fun. It’s a good way to spend your time,’ said Matthew.
The computer club is a regular commitment for the teen, but he also assists at seasonal and special events such as the summer “Movies in the Park’ series and the annual Christmas block party. He volunteered at the Redlands Boys and Girls Club KidsDay celebration earlier this month, and has assisted in various after-school programs. Also, he has helped chaperone childrens’ trips.
But Matthew looks forward to events in his future, too.
He hopes to attend Cal Poly Pomona or a similar college when he graduates from Redlands East Valley High School.
Theresa Lake, community center program coordinator, estimated that Matthew volunteered 500 hours in the last year.
“He’s one of those that doesn’t always log his hours,’ Lake said of Matthew, and describes the teen as easy to talk with.
“He’s mature for his age,’ Lake said, emphasizing that Matthew is one of several teen volunteers that help to keep the center running.
Jaffe echoed Lake’s views.
Because of shortages in staffing, specialized recreational programs like computer gaming are dependent upon Matthew and other volunteers in order to survive, he said.
“If it wasn’t for volunteers like Matt we wouldn’t be able to offer programs like this for the community,’ said Jaffe.
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