Activities included:
1)Engineering, Science, Math: Two classes of two hours each included Science activities with Jim Barcellos of 4-H. Mr. Barcellos taught kids to build and test their own wind turbines and to carry out other experiments. Parents and kids alike always enjoy his classes.
Following are a few quotes from parents and kids who took part in his classes: "Jim is a very nice man to give his time for the kids to broaden their horizons and brighten their summertime." - parent. "I thought it was fun."- participant, age 9. "Wonderful with the kids, and very patient. He kept all of them engaged." parent. "He interacted so well with the kids, remembering each of their names from last week. He made the concepts understandable and relevant to the kids. And they loved the use of the glow sticks in the activity last week." - grandparent
2)Environmental science: participants had lots of fun during two classes of two hours each, observing live bees and honeycomb and preserved bat specimens,working out math problems, identifying clay models of animal tracks and scat, and even doing jumping jacks to learn about birds, bats, and bees with with Linda Conlin of River Wranglers fame.
3)Horticulture: Kids learned how and why to grow edible flowers, including Scarlet Runner beans, and planted their own to take home and grow. This popular class was taught by farmer Mary MacDonald of Silver City's Beautiful Food Farm
4)Engineering and Design: Local fine arts store Doodads Emporium will be sponsoring the first annual Silver City Invitational Downhill Derby in September, and this summer kids had a chance to find out more about the the engineering and design elements required for "soap box" or gravity racer motorless cars when they took a look at Doodad's gravity car.
5)Arts: 8 parents and kids from Silver City attended Shakespeare at Lake Tahoe (Sand Harbor). The play this year was "As You LIke It", set in the Wild West.
6)Literacy: Kids borrowed lots of books, especially nonfiction books on animals, from the Silver City library this summer, and those who read over the summer can choose from a prize box at the local fine arts and antiques store, Doodads Emporium.
7)Gardening: Kids visited the garden and harvested snow peas for a mid-morning snack
8)Crafts: Old fashioned Playdough turned out to be one of the most popular activities of the summer, with kids gathered at one of the picnic tables in the shade to play for hours.
Plans for Summer 2015:
Summer 2015 will include continued focus on STEAM activities, with visits from the Society of Women Engineers for hands-on engineering activities, and lots of visits from local professional artists.
FUNDING: The youth program is funded, in part, by Healthy Communities Coalition, plus guest teachers from regional nonprofits such as 4-H, local fundraisers and donations and volunteer work from Silver City residents and groups.
The program is an annual tradition in the community of Silver City, which is located in one of the few National Historic Landmarks in the state of Nevada. The town is home to the renowned Silver City Fireman's Ball, to the world famous, annual Ferrari Races, and to many well-known artists, musicians, archaeologists, artisans, and writers. It's views of the Sierras and its historic buildings and sites attract visiting plein air painters and photographers from around the West.
For more information, contact Quest Lakes of Healthy Communities at 287-7598.
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