Saturday, July 03, 1999
Middle-schoolers 'Earn and Learn' at summer program
BY CHRISTINE WOLFF
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NORWOOD — They are too young to get jobs and too old for most summer camps, meaning too many middle-school students could face empty summers.
A new program aims to give the in-between youngsters — ages 12-15 — something meaningful to do. Summer Earn and Learnis sponsored by the Norwood Recreation Commission and Family and Children First, a state-mandated umbrella organization for child-service agencies.
This summer's second, three-week Earn and Learn session begins Tuesday.
Exploring careers
The program blends recreational activities with classes on such things as exploring different careers — visiting the police station and touring Xavier University — and cooking and nutrition. The children also are taught how to resolve conflicts and to work as a team.
Three days a week, participants do community service at Norwood businesses, earning five “community service dollars” per hour that they can redeem for gifts.
“We wanted more than just crafts and relay races,” said Deb Robison, with Family and Children First. “Every Friday, they "get paid.' We wanted to give them real incentives, to show them that when you work hard, there's a payoff.”
The program helps accomplish a goal of Family and Children First — to keep students from being truant or dropping out of school. Getting children interested in different careers shows them, “what you can do if you stick with school,” Ms. Robison said.
Rewards for service
The children keep track of their earnings on donated check registers and shopfrom an assortment of donated gifts, such as T-shirts, Paramount's Kings Island passes, radios and restaurant coupons.
Brandon Upchurch, 12, earned his community service pay during the first session by visiting people living at The Victoria Retirement Community in Norwood. He helped out by pushing wheelchair residents around the building and playing board games with them.
What seemed to please Victoria residents the most was just talking with Brandon.
“He's a real jewel,” said resident Clara Miller, patting Brandon on the back. “It's good to have you around. We'll keep you.”
MORE INFORMATION
• WHAT: Summer Earn and Learn Program
• WHO: Children ages 12-15 (priority given to Norwood residents; nonresidents may apply)
• WHEN: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday-Friday; July 6-23; July 26-Aug. 13
• WHERE: Norwood Middle School, 2060 Sherman Ave., Norwood
• COST: $30 per session (includes breakfast, lunch, field trips). Scholarships are available.
• INFORMATION: Deb Robison, 396-5536
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