Project 24 Takes a Field Trip

We kicked off our Project 24 summer reading program last week. After meeting on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to read together, act out poetry, voice our opinions about reading, and participate in fun activities, we celebrated the start of our program by packing up our 15-passenger van and heading to St. Louis to visit the Zoo and the Science Center.

 A hippo came right up to Amil and tried to give him a kiss!

 A shot of the whole group.

M

Matt took this close up of a snake!

Working together to build an arch at the St. Louis Science Center.

Other highlights of the week: 

Project 24 purchased over 80 books at the Greenville Regional Hospital Book Fair at the First Christian Church. The Simple Room library is off to a great start. We are so excited to make such great books available to our kids!!

Mike and Joe's The Simple Room Show is entertaining audiences all over the world with their weekly podcast. Make sure you check out Webisodes #1 and #2 and their Blooper reel!

S.A.F.E. Men and the MMA program are going strong. We have had great participation this summer and the program is really benefiting from the leadership of Jason and Robert.

Crossroads Midnight Ski-Trip - Hidden Valley

The Crossroads mentoring program spent a fun-filled Saturday night skiing and snowboarding at Hidden Valley in Eureka, MO. It was a great way for the program to kick off the start of a new semester. Many Simple Room youth, volunteers, and staff members were able to attend. Our group totaled almost 40 people - it took the Simple Room van, a GC shuttle, and 2 minivans to get us all there!

For many of our youth, this was their first ski/snowboarding outing. As such, there were many quality opportunities for relationship building and personal growth. Standing at the base of various hills, it was possible to spot a Simple Room youth making his or her way down the slope along with a mentor or volunteer who offered instruction, assistance, and encouragement. Whether it was developing the perseverance to get up and try again after every fall or, as in the case of Garrett E., displaying fearlessness and a natural talent on the slopes, there were many victories that were celebrated over the course of the evening.