GameChangers Summer Leadership Academy 2024 in partnership with MetroParks Tacoma has had an excellent start. This year, B2L has a mix of students coming from our B2L Direct: “Civic-Champions” and “Reaching for Greatness” school based programs joining us for the summer as well as some new faces!
Kicking off with our welcome/parent orientation on July 9th, during our first week students engaged in various "getting-to-know-you" activities, where they also helped establish group norms and affirmations. Highlights included interns organizing a trip to 7/11 for free slushies, playing memory and competitive games, and visiting the Museum of Pop Culture during our famous “field trip fridays!”
Week 2 we leaned into our Green Job and Environmental literacy content derived from our “Closing the G.A.P.” program and highlighted the importance and overall community impact of environmental justice. We were joined by our high school students who are gaining their Pre-Apprenticeship certifications as “Environmental Specialist” during our summer cohort in “Closing the G.A.P” during the Buffalo Soldiers S.E.E.D Program.
During this historic and immersive experience, our GameChangers were provided a hands-on historical and environmental learning experience. They learned about the Buffalo Soldiers' role in national parks and the environment, connected with nature and learned about the contributions of Black people post-Civil War. The students visited significant sites like Fort Vancouver, Fort Lawton, the Buffalo Soldier Museum, and Sequalitchew Creek. This week was designed to educate them on Black history in Washington and engage them in physical activities.
Students bonded naturally throughout the week, engaging in group discussions and activities without guidance. They explored historic sites and saw representations of their history through artifacts and documents. The program emphasized full engagement and attendance, aiming to push students to learn and grow beyond traditional classroom settings.
Week 3 students engaged in critical conversations around geographical differences between a City, State, and Country. They also discussed their own cultural differences and ways to celebrate these differences and similarities. They also learned how to calculate their GPA, which culminated into career exploration conversations that prepared them for our “Imagine ME” field trip!
It's been a great few weeks and we are so proud of our students!
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