BDIPS Kicks Off Northpointe Summer Program
Kids jumped around excitedly as BDIPS staff ushered them into Urban Air, an indoor trampoline and adventure park, as part of Northpointe’s six-week summer program.
Throughout the course of the summer program, BDIPS staff will engage participants in different lessons that focus on marine life, the environment and STEM, while also hosting educational and fun-filled field trips. During the first week of the program, students explored Kenneth Park, gaining observation skills through a scavenger hunt and identifying plants and animals.
“I'm hoping Better Days will be the epitome of summer fun and really make life a little better for those we serve. I hope that these kids create core memories that will last a lifetime,” said afterschool program staff member Shaquan Lewis.
Program Manager Jenean Thomas created the curriculum in collaboration with her staff. Thomas explained that she wanted the kids to understand that learning can be fun and to be open to different ways of learning such as a scavenger hunt in Kenneth Hahn Park during their first field trip.
“When I first presented a scavenger hunt to the kids at the park, there was push back… [with kids] saying do we have to do it? Of course when I said yes, a few groaned,” Thomas shared. “But by the end of it, the kids were pointing out things all on their own and once we were done, kids would come up to me and identify certain things we saw on the trail and ask if it was right.”
This week’s field trip emphasized fun and adventure as program participants took turns on the obstacle courses, climbing across ball pits and jumping on trampolines. As some BDIPS staff monitored participants from outside the pits, other staff members joined in on the fun and jumped alongside them like Renato Cabagna.
“I hope the kids we work with continue learning patience and collaboration. I would hope that during the summer program as we do fun activities the kids can learn that by participating and collaborating, the fun activities we do can last longer and be more rewarding for everyone involved!” Cabagna said.
Toni Love, the lead therapist in the afterschool program at Northpointe, also joined the field trip and explored the adventure park with the kids.
“I hope the kids leave the summer feeling a little more connected, and more confident in themselves and their ability to recognize, process and respond to their emotions in a healthy way,” Love said. “Throughout the summer, we'll continue to work on recognizing emotions, communicating respectfully, problem-solving and managing conflict, asking for help, and building healthy friendships.”
Check out more scenes from the Urban Air field trip:
