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Local kids learn to celebrate summer with SoberCruzin
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Middle school youths from Birchwood, New Auburn, Bruce, Northwood and Shell Lake took part in a summer program to prevent underage alcohol abuse.
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Kids in Birchwood, Shell Lake, New Auburn, Bruce and Northwood school areas aren't lamenting "there is nothing to do" this summer.
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A full schedule of safe, sober activities, referred to as the SoberCruzin Project, have been planned for middle school youths.
It is part of the SHARP program, an alcohol prevention project through New Paradigm Partners. The theme is "Communities Acting Together" and strives to connect youths across communities to stand together and make safe, healthy choices.
It also showcases events in each of the communities, demonstrating that even in small rural communities there are fun things to do without alcohol, and in many cases these things are free. Kids will be able to swim, fish, pick strawberries to donate to the senior center, go to a movie, hike, grill out and even-through the Young Eagles Program of the Experimental Aircraft Association-go for an airplane ride.
So far, officials report it has been a huge success. Forty kids showed up for the first event in Birchwood at Doolittle Park. There was swimming, fishing, lots of eating and the forging of new friendships.
Coordinator Mary Traaseth, of New Auburn, says, "We have incorporated team-building activities into each event to help solidify friendships and build trust."
Missy Bablick, of Birchwood, adds, "We are extremely pleased with the wonderful response and turnout. We hope the word spreads and that we will be able to offer this again next year."
A more musical part of the project involves guitar lessons offered weekly at each of the school sites. Students also have the opportunity to earn an acoustic guitar by contributing six to eight hours of community service.
"It is a win/win," enthuses instructor Jim Goodpaster. "Youths get a chance to learn how to play the guitar and the community gets the benefit of their energy and service."
Twenty-eight youths have taken advantage of the guitar opportunity for the summer.
New Paradigm Partners, a consortium of six rural school districts, strives to connect communities through learning and is the sponsor of these events.
The project was initiated through a prevention grant received by the consortium from the Department of Education for the SHARP Project.
"It is, however, a true partnership," explains Sherry Timmermann, NPP executive director. "There is support from the Department of Education, the Kellogg Foundation, local business Licks Music and the Shell Lake EAA Association that have made this project possible as well as numerous in-kind contributions from a variety of partners."
For more information, contact Timmermann at (715) 354-3391 or e-mail thebluehills@centurytel.net.
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©The Chetek Alert 2009
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