The ninth-grader at Wake Forest-Rolesville High School has been playing ever since.

"I love it," Caleb said. "I enjoy the running, the excitement, and when I play street hockey, I just forget everything else."

Caleb is one of 130 kids from the Wake Forest area who participate on nine local teams. Teams from Zebulon and Washington Elementary School have also joined the league.

"We started the street hockey program in 1998, and it has doubled in size," club director Hugh McLean said. The program is so popular, kids in the community who aren't regular club members also play.

Caitlin Hooks, 16, a junior at Wake Forest-Rolesville High School, played street hockey for five years, but lately she has discovered the joy of mentoring the younger club members and isn't playing this year.

"I like teaching these kids and helping them grow and learn, like I did when I was younger," she said.

Last year, Caitlin was one of three teens honored by the Triangle United Way Women's Leadership Council for her service to the club.

For Caleb, the Boys & Girls Club is about the people, and he would like to work with younger kids someday, too.

"They've done so much for me. I'd like to give back," he said.