We're Ready, Get Set, and Let's Go! We're Back!

By Connie Gerow

4-H Tribal Mentoring Site Coordinator

It’s that time of year! Back to school and the 4-H Tribal Mentoring After School program is ready and set to go.

A very unique program in its third year at both the Salmon River Campus and St. Regis Mohawk School, the 4-H Tribal Mentoring program offers registered students in 5th - 8th grade the opportunity to improve their academic successes with assistance from approved Mentors, engaging the students in team building activities, and hands-on projects.

Beginning on Tuesday, September 16th, registered 6th, 7th and 8th grades will be meeting in the Salmon River Middle School Library every Tuesday from 3:15 till 5pm. On Wednesday, September 17th, registered 5th grade students in Salmon River will be meeting in the Elementary Cafeteria every Wednesday from 3:15 to 5pm. St. Regis Mohawk School registered 5th Grade students will be meeting in the Library on every Thursday from 3:15 till 5pm. Due to the availability of bus transportation for the sports program at the campus school, it is a privilege for the 4-H’er’s to ride the 5:15pm bus home. Registered St. Regis Mohawk students will be required to have their parents pick them up anytime during the scheduled time.

As in the past, a limited number of registered students will have the opportunity to attend the scheduled Fall Mentoring weekend (October 10th – 12th) at 4-H Camp Overlook in Mountain View, NY. Here the students will be participating in the Adventure Course. The benefits of this powerful program include promoting respectful communication between students & staff; an environment of cooperation & trust in the classroom or workplace; a fun program that both children and adults enjoy; team building strategies like group problem-solving initiatives; low-ropes elements that require teamwork for success; and high-ropes elements, including a zip line and the Burmese Bridge. At the end of each session, a debriefing of the activity will take place, which allows the participants to share their opinions about the activities, and how they can bring that experience back into the classroom or workplace.

Throughout the course of the school year, the 4-H Mentees and their families are encouraged to attend planned family night outings such as the annual 4-H Achievement Night (November 2014), Love Your Family Pasta Bash (February 2015), and the annual ‘You Got Talent’ Show (June 2015) each of which are geared to strengthen family bonds. As time allows, additional outings will be planned.

For more information about how you can enroll your child in this program, one may contact Connie Gerow at 518-358-4271 or Karen Armstrong at 518-483-7403.