We’re excited to host an overnight sixth-grade lock-in party on Saturday, May 4. We’re working closely with teachers at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Upper Elementary School to spread the word about this first-time event, and a community service project at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, will determine which children will attend the lock-in.
“On Thursday, in honor of Mother’s Day weekend, we’re going to be making spring baskets for the elderly women at the Manor,” says Megan Guiliano, our youth programs director. “All the kids who participate will be invited to attend the lock-in. We’ll send permission slips home with the students, and we’re asking parents to make sure they’re returned before 8 p.m. on Friday.”
The nearly 25-year-old, not-for-profit youth project designed the lock-in to provide an opportunity for sixth graders to have the Cokata Wiconi teen center all to themselves for one special night. A week later, on Tuesday, May 14, they will enjoy a welcoming ceremony at Cokata Wiconi on the last day of school.
“Until now, these kids have been attending The Main youth center, which is dedicated to children 4 to 12 years old,” Guiliano said. “Now that they’re seventh graders, they’ll start coming to Cokata Wiconi regularly, and we want to give them a chance to hang out here without the older kids — to really feel like this place belongs to them as well.”
When lock-in attendees arrive at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, CRYP staff and volunteers will engage them in an icebreaking activity, followed by dinner in the Keya Cafe. Then the real fun will begin: a Wii tournament, PlayStation games, Dance Revolution, Pictionary, Mafia, crafts, Lightning and Flashlight Tag are just a few activities on the schedule. At 9:30 p.m., the young people will enjoy fresh popcorn and movies on Cokata Wiconi’s big screen.
“We’re hoping to do a late-night movie marathon,” Guiliano said. “We’re hoping to arrange it so the kids can vote on the movies ahead of time. It should be a lot of fun.”
The lock-in will conclude with breakfast at 7 a.m. in the Keya Cafe; parents and guardians may pick up their children at 8 a.m.
“All the kids will be taking home goodie bags, but we’re hoping they take home even more than that,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “We hope that the lock-in gives every child an opportunity to see what is available to him or her at Cokata Wiconi — from healthy meals and snacks, to educational resources, to fun games and activities, to positive, caring role models who always will be there to provide support, comfort and guidance as they go through their often tumultuous teen years.”
For information about Thursday’s basket-making activity and registration for the sixth grade lock-in, stop by CRYP’s offices at Cokata Wiconi on East Lincoln Street, call (605) 964-8200 or send email to Megan Guiliano at megan.cryp@gmail.com or to Tammy Eagle Hunter at tammy.cryp@gmail.com.