Columbus, MT

By Jamie Spainhower
Prevention Specialist/Program Coordinator
Stillwater Community Coalition

The Youth in Action After School Program is off to a flying start!

There are 16 students participating and they are having a good time. During the two hours they are there, they do homework, work on arts and crafts, read, and have special speakers come in to talk and show them new things.

Barb Peterson, who volunteers every day, started the kids off with making nametags, and with her help the kids showed their individuality with stickers, markers and brightly colored paper. There have also been lessons about self-esteem and how to express their feelings through art. Painting day is at the top of the list for crafts, as they learn while they play.

Several of the students have shown an interest in music, and have learned several songs on the piano.

Karen Tyra, Stillwater County Extension Agent, came on January 12 to teach students how to wash their hands to keep germs away, using “fake” germs and showing them with a black light where “germs” were left. It was a great hit. On January 15 they made their own easy snacks.

The staff is all volunteers, and more are needed to keep the project going, as we are picking up at least one new child a day.

The program is open to second, third and fourth graders in Columbus, and is held Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the Columbus Evangelical Church, which graciously offered space for the program. For more information, or to register your child, call Jamie at the Stillwater Community Coalition at 322-5228, or email j.spainhower@stillwatercoalition.org.

Students making hurry-up nachos during the afterschool program