Power Scholars Academy Camp Presents
Kids’ Guide To The Valley ABOUT THIS PROJECT
T
his summer, over 60 Wood River Community scholars embarked on a new and exciting project. With guidance from The Weekly Sun Publisher Brennan Rego, we were able to create the first edition of the Kids’ Guide to the Wood River Valley. In his first press conference with the scholars, Brennan told the kids that “journalists are just students of the world.” Eager to impress and document, the scholars took those words of advice very seriously. On top of creating the Kids’ Guide, scholars also participated in a great array of academic and enrichment opportunities this summer. Power Scholars Academy Camp (PSAC) was developed by BELL and YMCA of the USA. This program model has been implemented successfully for the last four years in 26 states with over 60 Y’s participating. This summer was the Wood River Community YMCA’s inaugural program. The Y closely partnered and collaborated with the Blaine County School District to create an exemplary first year. Scholars were selected by teacher and principal recommendation. Invitations were sent home with prospective scholars. There were only 60 slots that were available as per program guidelines set by Y-USA and BELL. Power Scholars Academy is summer camp and summer school rolled into one to create a memorable summer experience. A typical week included daily literacy and math instruction in the mornings, afternoon enrichment, recreation, weekly field trips, breakfast and lunch as well as transportation. To ensure that no child missed an opportunity, every scholar received a full scholarship to attend PSAC. The goals of PSAC are to: increase scholars’ literacy and math skills; mitigate summer learning loss; and strengthen scholars’ self-confidence, social and emotional development, and their physical health and well-being. Through field trips, research, phone interviews and personal experience, scholars were able to create for you this guide to the Wood River Valley. We hope that you enjoy it. It was very hard work but very rewarding to all those that participated. Each scholar has written a description for you of what they think are important things to know, places and events to visit, outdoor activities and nature, animals and plants you may see. There is even a very special scavenger hunt that has been created. Once you fill it out, take it to the Hailey Chamber of Commerce to receive your stamp.
SCHOLARS & STAFF MEMBERS Green Cluster
Purple Cluster
Red Cluster
Staff
Aaliyah Diaz Aaron Duran Garcia Amaya Ornelas Andrea Barajas Aracely Pedraza Athena George Blake Rogers Daniel Santacruz David Romero Garcia Grady Edwards Isaac Sandoval Jaime Torres Kobi Nelson Laila Duke Luisao Garcia Mayah Vargas Vega Mike Regalado Oscar Reyes Zavala Rubi Cardenas Lopez Susan Verastegui Espinoza William Richardson
Abilene Franco Lopez Adilene Montes Montes Adrian Aguilar Brooke Sali Gabrielle DeLorea Firth Gyzzelle Monjaras Marrujo Jaylyn Hernandez Jesus Molina Lesly Carranza Myles Cortez Nika Nelson Rafael Chavez Paredez Rocket Lukasson Samantha Fuchs Sarai Regalado Wynterlynn Molyneux Crow
Anderson Mayuri Andrea Lemus Camilia Alvarez Carmelo Sanchez Alvarez Daisy Lopez Daniela Baeza Rico David Santacruz Emma Alvarado Alvarez Evelin Ramirez Grayson Langley Jaime Carranza Palomera Jennifer Regalado Joseph Gomero Juan Palencia Jude Mowery Kenia Franco Lopez Mia Arenas Isauro Pedro Montenegro Mata Reece Weatherly Skip Ayllon Tripp Bailey Ximena Ramirez
Green Cluster Staff Beth Inouye Victor Morales Edith Lopez-Millard
Purple Cluster Staff Laura Barnhardt Sami Goitiandia
Red Cluster Staff Gabi Bryant Ali Azevedo
Lead Staff Karen Bliss Aaron Bronson, BCSD Program Coordinator Teressa Johnson, YMCA Director of Youth Development