THE VOICE OF THE TOWNSHIP
Brilliant Young Minds Emerge
Six years ago, the Wayne Township Trustee Office began a quest to help area youth with one of their most serious long-term needs —-computer skills. Light heartedly, calling it our MBA not NBA focus, we felt that there were so many local programs that centered around athletics that we wanted to center ours around the needs of our clients’ children to have the preparation considered necessary for higher education. You would have thought that there would be a program to help, but with the experience of twenty thousand plus families a year visiting our office telling us otherwise, we set out to help fill the need they identified for us.
Make no mistake about it; the Wayne Township Trustee Office prides itself in avoiding duplicated services. There were wonderful computer programs for children in operation at the time, but all of them had in some way a barrier to prevent some children raised in poverty from participating. With a clear focus on our niche group, the Wayne Township Trustee Office submitted a grant application to the Paul Clark Foundation. The Paul Clark Foundation Awards Committee saw the wisdom in filling this need and the Wayne Township Computer Explorer’s Camp was born.
Each year, we have learned greatly from the children themselves about the challenges they face and have used this to help the Camp evolve into its current format. For example, during the summer months food banks are overwhelmed by families with children who have the school lunch program during the school year. Without this program, often over the summer the child does not get the balanced meal that is necessary to help their body and mind to be receptive to learning. We began adding a nutritious meal for the kids and saw the benefit immediately. It is very humbling when you realize that such a need adds a piece to the puzzle of success. Somehow you always think that you should have seen it sooner.
Each Computer Explorer’s Camp is a fun-filled two weeks during which computer activities team up with unique offline activities to provide a technology adventure. The campers learned computer skills and used neat peripherals such as a digital camera and a microscope. They also create their own crafts and go on field trips. Grades 1 through 3 attend the morning camp and grades 4 through 6 fill the afternoon session.
The camps are focused on 4 distinct areas of study so that each individual child can explore their interest. This year the camps included: The Nature of Things which is a study of plants, animals, and human beings. Sizzling Science with learning that included the solar system, minerals, volcanoes, oceans, and even the design of a city. We the People which was a celebration of our citizenship and a study of our great country, state, and city. Globe Trotters which provided the experiencing of the uniqueness of different countries, cultures, and architecture revealed their secrets to the campers.
At the conclusion of this camping season on August 5th, a celebration banquet was held for all participants and their families. Another year of experiences for the campers, another year of experience for the Wayne Township staff to make next year’s Computer Explorer’s Camp even better!
Six years ago, our oldest group of campers was in the sixth grade. This year, they will be graduating from high school. I read an article about my friend Mary Musson, the wonderful Head Start Director for CANI, who is moving on to pursue other interests (Thursday, August 11, 2005, Journal Gazette). The story ended with a quote based upon her eight years as director: “Education is the key to ending poverty, if a child can learn, they will not be poor.” I couldn’t agree with Mary more.
As these brilliant young minds emerge and move on to college, our greatest hope would be that we have in some small way changed their future and they will change the course of history.
> Read More Information About Us
> More Articles Written By Our Staff
- Celebrating 20 Years Of Community At The Stand - April 12, 2024
- First Positive Case Of Chronic Wasting Disease In Indiana - April 12, 2024
- Southwest Allen County Schools Embark On Major Tree Plantings - April 12, 2024