Based on their placements at the recent ONAGA BLAST CHANCE 2009 wrestling meet, nine Club youth traveled to Des Moines, IA for the Junior Olympics Competition July 30 through August 1. The youth participants were: Girls 11 & Under: Lasheyia Boyd, Denejia Dozier, Vantrice Purnell, Meleisha Williams, and Vivian Young; Boys 11 & Under: Marquan Goldsby, Emmanuel Whytus; Girls 12-13 Years: Raven House; Boys 14-15 Years: Freddie Brim. Look for an update in the next edition to find out how our youth fared at this competition!

  
Thornberry Unit members recently went on a field trip to Drumm Farm in Lee's Summit, MO, where they learned about various activities on the farm. First they planted corn seed in cups and learned how to make the corn grow. From there, the youth learned about the different layers of soil - farm staff used candy, cookies & pudding to demonstrate the different layers and members then got to eat the "soil" treat. With the final project, the youth learned how to make homemade butter from milk and cream. The kids learned a lot and had a blast on their trip to the farm!

 

7-8-year-olds from the East Side Unit have been learning to speak French this summer at the Club. The main objective is to learn to say hello, welcome and Boys & Girls Clubs - but the youth have also learned a song! They even had the opportunity to demonstrate some of what they learned to the Superintendent and District Supervisor of the Kansas City School Board.

 

Hawthorne Unit members, ages 11 & 12, have worked hard this summer to create a community garden. They planted vegetables and then watered and cared for them regularly. They will conclude this project when the vegetables are cooked in a variety of healthy ways by a professional chef! The project was part of the "JAM" program, sponsored by Community of Christ Church in Independence. The program includes 40 volunteers who sponsor kids in various events by providing supplies, snacks, etc. The youth look forward to eating the "fruits" of their labor!
 

The Drama Matters program took members from several Club Units to the Unity Church on the Plaza to experience the musical workings of Mozart. The festival began with a performance of Sinfonia Concertante featuring violinist Ben Sayevich, conducted by Gregory Pritchard. Local students then performed movements from Mozart concertos and the program ended with Mozart's valedictory Symphony No. 41, Jupiter. All of the members really enjoyed this festival of music!

 

Members from the East Side Unit have had a great time learning about science this summer with help from the summer certified teaching staff. The 5-6-year-olds worked on a bread mold project, while the 9-12-year-olds researched cold vs. warm carbonated beverages and the effect of adding Mentos to the mix...the results were explosive to say the least!