By Betty Gandee
With school out for summer, many kids miss their friends, get bored easily, or just want a little extra something to do.
Clay County Schools teamed up with the West Virginia Extension Service, Clay County Public Library, and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers to bring an amazing program to the students in Clay County.
These groups put together a program for grades 1-5 to help keep kids learning and make it fun while doing so. The Energy Express summer program started this past week at Clay Elementary, where students from every elementary school in the county can join in on the learning fun. Activity buses are provided in the mornings and evenings so each child that wants to participate has the chance to attend. Breakfast and lunch is provided at the school each day as well.
A group of 11 mentors from WVU will be helping with this program that runs through July 26. Helpers include McKenzie Lewis, Brooklyn Gould, Paige Stewart, Julie Grose, Mike Kiser, Sadie Murphy, Bryonna Cantrell, Jamie Paxton, Kailyn Morton, Dylan Stewart, and Anna Childers. These mentors and site supervisor, Marlene Phillips, have worked hard to put this together and are hopeful that it will be a big success.
With 125 plus children attending the summer program so far, it has been a great turnout. Children participate in reading, writing, art, and drama activities each day. Free books are given to each student as well. They also visit the Clay County Public Library and participate in STEM camp with Michael Shamblin from the WVU extension office. They finish up their days by relaxing and having fun with their friends at the Clay County Pool. Each origination that helped put this program together for the youth of Clay County is greatly appreciated.
