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Youth Programs

Fun and character building at Robinson Gardens Apartments

Fun and character building at Robinson Gardens Apartments

It may look like children hoisting up a colorful trampoline, but in fact it’s far more than that.

The outdoor fun on weekday afternoons at Springfield Housing Authority’s Robinson Gardens Apartments is a nice – and much calculated – blend of exercise, fresh air, team building and character enhancing, brought to children care of YMCA of Greater Springfield.

Children hoist a brightly colored parachute into the air at Robinson Gardens Apartments.

Children hoist a brightly colored parachute into the air at Robinson Gardens Apartments.

The recently completed three-week program included activities such as kickball, tag, cart races, a moving spelling bee and other games created by YMCA staffer Christopher Kaufmann. A senior at Springfield College majoring in physical education, Kaufmann said the program aims to foster habits that maintain good health as well as a positive outlook on life and other people.

“Basically, we’re promoting activities that teach them our four core values,” said Kaufmann, referring to values supported by the YMCA as well as Springfield College. “That would be caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. It’s all about keeping minds and bodies healthy.”

RG YMCA & AMR 005The YMCA team building and exercising sessions were brought to Robinson Gardens by the Talk/Read/Succeed! program, which unites two SHA family developments, two city elementary schools and some two dozen local agencies for a comprehensive approach to family health and early literacy. T/R/S! includes a host of activities at both Robinson Gardens and Sullivan Apartments.

SHA Director of Resident Services Pamela Wells said the YMCA program at Robinson Gardens was aimed at providing children some outdoor fun, while promoting harmony and friendships among them, building life skills.

“The activities brought by the YMCA program gave the kids at Robinson an outlet to engage in outdoor activities with a focus on fitness,” she said. “They also taught valuable lessons in working together, and showing respect for others as well as for property. We’re always working on these values.”

Kaufmann visited Robinson Gardens three afternoons a week, engaging more children with each afternoon spent at the development in the Pine Point neighborhood of the city. Though the program is aimed at children in grades three through five, children of all ages were drawn to the fun, and no one was turned away. Upwards of two dozen children participated on many days.

YMCA staff Christopher Kaufmann takes a break from the fun with a group of children at Robinson Gardens Apartments.

YMCA staff Christopher Kaufmann takes a break from the fun with a group of children at Robinson Gardens Apartments.

All activities, such as the listing of the brightly colored parachute, required concerted teamwork to complete. Kaufmann noted that children responded to the underlying lessons with enthusiasm.

“It’s difficult for a team to function and perform a task unless everyone is working together and cooperating,” he explained.

Children readily agreed.

“This is good because we always do fun stuff,” said 11-year-old Kashawn Lenoir, who just completed grade four.

“Everything we do helps us work together. It helps us get along with each other and get things done. I like the kickball and parachute games the best,” he added.

Ten-year-old Nisa Harris said working on a team to accomplish a goal could be tricky.

“The games are really exciting, but a little challenging at the same time,” she explained. “You’re always thinking about how you can do things together to make something come out just right.”

Robinson Gardens resident Nisa Harris enjoyed the challenge of the YMCA activities.

Robinson Gardens resident Nisa Harris enjoyed the challenge of the YMCA activities.

Like other participants, Nisa had the underlying lessons down pat by the end of the program.

“You have to learn how to take care of yourself and be good to other people,” she said. “Chris has four rules: respect, caring, honesty and responsibility.”

Lisa had just started on reciting the list when all the other children chimed in, completing it as a chorus and ending in laughter.

Kaufmann remarked with a smile, “It looks like they’ve got it.”

 

 

3937 days ago / Youth Programs
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