Editor’s note: This is the fifth of a weekly series of activities happening at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula. For more information, see positiveplaceforkids.net or call 683-8095. — MD
Brain Gain
Club members spent a week working on Stride Academy and playing academic games.
Stride Academy is a web-based program run in our computer lab. This award-winning tool was used at the end of the school year to conduct a math and reading literacy assessment of participants. In the fall we will measure members again and see how the progress of members that used the program over the summer compares to their peers that didn’t attend the club.
Members worked at their own pace during the designated computer lab time using this educational software to reinforce learning by rewarding success with entertainment and connecting members to their peers as they compete in an exciting virtual world.
Junior Rangers
The Hoh Rainforest receives 12 to 14 feet of rain a year. We were glad our visit was dry. The long drive had to be overcome to visit this gem of the Pacific Northwest.
When the young rangers arrived, a small heard of elk crossed their path igniting their passion to get started. They explored the Hoh River bank, learning the value of rivers on the ecosystem and how they carve the topography around them.
As they walked the trail, the kids saw many fallen trees, nurse logs, providing seedlings to the forest bed. As the journey meandered through the forest, the junior rangers were sent in one-minute intervals on a reflection walk where they found though provoking note cards along the trail. They pondered about what they’d like others to think about them, how they would survive in the wild and what do they notice about the ecosystem.
The kids had time to log thoughts in their journals before boarding the bus and their journey home.
Morning Camp
Our youth development professionals turn up their favorite song and they dance, do a conga line and get the energy flowing. The young campers immersed themselves in South American countries and cultures this week. They explored Brazil and its tradition of mask wearing and made their own masks for a craft project as well as decorated clothespins like the many South Americans that hang dry their own clothes.
They prepared and gobbled up some of the local favorites including Brazilian Brigadeiros, as with any chocolatey sweet they were gobbled up in minutes.
What a week
We spent the week battling a hornets nest outside of the club. We rerouted members from their usual path to the playground as we were very bothered by the pests. Luckily, the school district helped us eradicate the nest and make the path safer for our members.
Dave Miller returned to the club after a week’s vacation and the members sure missed his presence. He celebrated a birthday and some of the junior staff members made him a wonderful scrapbook filled with pictures of members and fun days at the club and out on field trips.
A small reception took place to honor the organization’s Jeremiah Milbank donors. Board members and staff enjoyed a wonderful visit with community members so passionate about our local youth.
Brynlee Dearinger joined the other 20 kids in Science Club this week, where they made hovercrafts with balloons and old CDs/DVDs.
Field trips for everyone this week! Our teens spent Thursday at Lake Crescent, which continues to be the highlight of their week. This time, several members of the Port Angeles Teen Club joined them. They bonded during the Lavender Festival production and will be joining up for a future paint-balling trip.
Our youngest members even got out of the club this week. The Kinder Kids visited Sequim Animal Hospital with a back-of-house tour. They were excited to hear how the wonderful folks there care for their family pets.
