Four eight-person teams assembled Friday evening at the Great Bend Sports Complex for the Youth Crew’s annual “Kick the Habit” Kickball Tournament. While the numbers were down somewhat from previous years, Tyler Morton said about 100 people showed up to play or cheer.

There was no fee to participate and the tournament raised awareness about substance use, mental-health advocacy and kicking bad habits. Stepping Stones to Recovery provided the umpires. Barton Community College soccer and volleyball teams served as pitchers and filled in gaps in playing positions.

There was also a raffle to raise money for future Youth Crew activities. The top prize was a Milwaukee-brand toolbox donated by the Mule Barn in Hoisington.

Barton Youth Crew is a youth-led, community-based task force for students in grades 6-12, sponsored by the 20th Judicial District Juvenile Service and connected with Central Kansas Partnership (CKP). It focuses on leadership development, community service and substance-use prevention.

When school starts, there will be Youth Crew meetings on the first three Mondays of each month (except September), from 3:30-7 p.m.: First Monday meetings are at the Juvenile Services office at 1800 12th St. in Great Bend, second Mondays are at the Hoisington Activity Center at 1200 Susank Road, and third Mondays are at the Wolf Hotel, 1 N. Main St. in Ellinwood. Because the first Monday of September is Labor Day, the schedule will be pushed ahead one week for everyone.

Youth Crew can be found on Facebook and Instagram by searching for Youth Crew CKP.