Youth Development: Summer Fun at Cimarron & Landfall
After a school year of distanced learning, the kids in our Youth Development Program are excited to mask-up and join together in-person this summer for programming at our Cimarron and Landfall sites! Youth from these communities, ages 5-18, are welcome to participate in fun educational activities that foster growth, learning, and exploration.
Kids in our Children’s Programs are having lots of fun in nature so far this summer!
The Animal Adventure Club takes walkable journeys throughout Landfall and to local parks to observe the natural world. Recently, the group went snail hunting and were able to witness these slimy creatures in their habitats.
The youth have also planted a small garden, and recently reaped the fruits of their labor with some delicious strawberries and their first cucumber!
On-site, kids have participated in 4-H, drama, and craft clubs.
Youth at both sites also have the pleasure of working with an AmeriCorps Volunteer who has provided many new learning opportunities such as math bingo, a spelling scavenger hunt, and more!
The Youth Bicycle Programs are also up and running. Kids are learning bike mechanics, earning bikes, and pedaling to eateries, water parks, and mountain bike trails.
The Landfall Teen Program participants (grades 6-12) have really embraced their creative talents and are having so much fun being together again!
Early in the summer, program staff supported teens in a program to recover school credits; this helps students get back on track in their academic endeavors.
A big project that the group is working on is a large mural that will be hung inside the teen center. They have learned about murals and painting techniques from volunteer artist from the nonprofit COMPAS.
Teens are also working on a fundraising campaign to support an end of the summer trip to Valley Fair. They have built wooden birdhouses (limited quantity, $10 each), and also put together a photo book with pictures from their photo club (limited quantity, $20 each).
In addition, the teens are continuing to work on plans for post-secondary life. They have higher education site visits and career panels scheduled for early fall.
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