We’re excited for the new school year at Patchwork. Our Arts & Smarts Program will begin its 41st (yes, you read that correctly) school year on September 6, the day after Labor Day.
We’ll begin with two weeks of Leadership Camp for youths in grades 5-8. It’s time for our older participants to get to know one another, to get to do some special projects designed just for them, and to learn about how to be good leaders and role models for the younger participants.
On September 20, the younger participants in grades 2-4 can join in the fun! As always, we’ll make a lot of art, we’ll help our participants complete their homework, we’ll explore our participants’ individual interests, and we’ll build friendships among everyone in the group.
We have a few new things to share this year:
- Later hours! This year our program will operate from 3:15 pm-5:45 pm. This is an effort to adjust to area elementary schools’ later dismissal times.
- Folk and Traditional Artists in Residence! We’re inviting local folk artists to visit once a month to share about their art and to lead a project inspired by their work. This exciting new project is funded by the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana.
- International Guests! Groups of international students studying at the University of Southern Indiana will be volunteering this fall. As they volunteer, they’ll be telling us more about the countries that they call home.
- New uses for garden plants! We’ll partner with Katie, Patchwork’s Associate Health Minister, to learn how to turn plants into healthful things like teas and topical oils.
- More! As always, we are open to new projects based on our participants’ interests and unique opportunities that present themselves. You never know what new, fun things we’ll find to do!
If you’re interested in signing your child up, you can get a registration form in Patchwork’s main office or you can print one from our website.
We also need high school and adult volunteers to help make every day run smoothly. Interested people don’t need any particular skills other than a desire to work with and encourage children. We encourage volunteers to attend on a weekly basis for at least a semester so they can get to know our participants and can build relationships with them. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Patchwork, and ask to talk to Jane.