Innovative Programs Such as Science Cafe and Reading Pods Highlight Contributions of Long-Term Volunteers from Around the Country
Spring has officially sprung at the Cheyenne River Youth Project® in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, where staff and volunteers are hard at work on continuing and new youth programs at the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center and The Main Youth Center. Already, new long-term volunteers are arriving at CRYP’s East Lincoln Street campus, and they bring new ideas and plenty of energy.
“The nice weather brings more kids to our facilities, and more volunteers who are looking forward to spending their summer break working with our kids,” said Megan Guiliano, CRYP’s youth programs director. “New volunteers mean new programs as well as the return of old favorites; they have fresh perspectives and so much creativity to contribute. So the start of our summer season is an exciting time!”
At the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center, Tuesdays are “Tutoring Tuesdays” from 5 to 6 p.m. Teens can bring their homework and enjoy some study time in the teen center’s classroom, and according to Guiliano, listening to music and eating pizza are part of the deal.
“We’ve had a great response to this program, and it’s come just in time for all those end-of-semester projects and last-minute cramming sessions to bring up grades before the end of the school year,” she explained.
Tuesdays and Thursdays also are Science Cafe days. Each week, volunteer Howard Chen creates a new lesson plan about space and exploration. Chen is from Los Angeles, California; he’s planning to study planetary and geosciences at Boston University in Massachusetts this fall.
“The Science Cafe consists of three segments, including a discussion, a video presentation and an activity related to the day’s topic,” he explained. “For example, last week’s subject was about the search for life beyond earth, so the activity was a scavenger hunt involving clues that would hint where the next extraterrestrial might be living.
“Unfortunately, I think science classes in today’s schools aren’t conveying the true beauty and poetry of science,” he reflected. “So the aim of the Science Cafe is not to teach facts, but rather to instill curiosity toward the mysteries of the universe.”
Wednesdays continue to be College Nights this month. CRYP hosted the University of Michigan on May 9, and it will welcome Northern Kentucky University on May 16. In the College Night program, visiting “Alternative Spring Break” volunteers make presentations about their universities or colleges to Cheyenne River’s middle- and high-school children. The presentation includes information about the application process, degree programs, financial aid and social activities; a lengthy question-and-answer session; and distribution of college literature that guests may take home with them.
In addition, CRYP Wellness Coordinator Tammy Granados keeps teens busy with basketball programs, DJ dances and open-gym time, while volunteers spend time with teens in the Internet Cafe and art studio.
“I really enjoy the art projects,” said volunteer Jordan Calderone of Ohio. “The art studio provides a good chance to actually get to know the teens as they become more comfortable with us, as new volunteers. Sometimes it just takes a little extra effort.”
Guiliano said The Main Youth Center also has seen some exciting new program development, along with the return of long-running, much-loved favorites. With the assistance of former youth programs assistant and returning volunteer Laure Lachaud, Friday is once again Restaurant & Movie Night. Volunteers and staff are servers, and they treat children to a real restaurant experience for dinner.
“We help the kids choose their appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages from a menu, and we offer guidance on dining-out etiquette,” Guiliano explained. “After dinner, they watch a movie in the library, with plenty of cozy blankets and soft cushions.
“The kids are so excited that this program is back on Fridays, and they ask about it all week,” she continued. “It’s a big deal, because the nearest theater is an hour and a half away by car, and restaurant choices are very limited here in Eagle Butte.”
Next, the Main has added Spanish lessons and “Reading Pods” to its schedule on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lead by volunteers Mallory Miller and Alexa Siqueiros, these programs allow children to learn a new language and then quiet down as older Main participants read books to the younger ones.
Siqueiros, who was born in Mexico and currently lives in California, teaches the Spanish lessons.
“At first I didn’t know if the kids would be interested in having a foreign language class, since we have kids as young as 4 who come to The Main, but they really seem to enjoy the class,” she commented. “I’ve noticed that some of the pronunciation of the vowels in Spanish are extremely similar to how those vowels are pronounced in Lakota, so the kids are naturals.”
Each week, volunteers choose a theme for The Main, and Siqueiros incorporates it into the week’s Spanish lessons. For example, when the theme was “oceans,” she taught the class to count to 10 by counting fish.
“After the lesson, they reversed the student/teacher roles and taught me how to count to 10 in Lakota,” Siqueiros said.”I’m very excited about the class, and I’m extremely happy that I get to be here for six months to watch it develop and grow."
Miller, a volunteer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, leads the Reading Pods. In this program, four older children are selected to lead the evening’s pods, and those youth leaders are allowed to choose the evening’s books. Then, once each pod has read three or four books, the children give reports on the ones they liked best.
"I’m really happy we have implemented this into the schedule for the children,” said Miller, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. “It gives the older children a sense of responsibility and the younger ones the ability to relax and unwind. I’m pleasantly surprised by how well all of the children responded to this program. Not only are they excited for the Reading Pods, but the pod leaders look forward to having some authority and a leadership role."
In addition to regular programming, the Main remains a home away from home for Cheyenne River’s young people, providing healthy snacks, a home-cooked meal, arts and crafts, dress-up time and outdoor play. And Cokata Wiconi is a haven for teens who also need healthy snacks and meals, a safe place to play sports or video games, a creative environment for their own art projects and plenty of hang-out time with friends, staff and volunteers.
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project® and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, visit the youth project’s Facebook “Cause” page. All Cause members will receive regular updates through Facebook.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project®, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.