Registration materials for the 2008 Wisdom and Wellness Summer Enrichment Program are now available. All children are welcome to register for any of the courses being offered at Elma Elementary Charter School and Lime Springs / Chester Elementary School.

            The summer program offers four two-week enrichment camps for area youth. Activities will be hosted at Elma Elementary Charter School from June 5 through July 2 and at Lime Springs / Chester Elementary School July 7 though Aug. 1.

            The Wisdom and Wellness Program is a collaborative effort between the Howard-Winneshiek Community School District, Iowa State University Extension – 4-H, Cresco Fitness Center and the local communities. Children of all ages are encouraged to participate in any or all of the activities.

            “It is magnificent to see so much support and interest in the summer enrichment camps,” said Rob Hughes, principal at Elma and Lime Springs / Chester elementary schools.

            Classes will be offered every morning from 9 to 11 a.m. throughout the majority of the summer.

            “Families can highly benefit from these offerings,” Hughes said. “Obviously, the education and support for children is above all our top concern, yet the peace of mind that the students are engaged in safe, meaningful activities is invaluable.”

            In addition to course activities, free breakfasts and lunches will be provided for any child up to age 19 from money the district received from a USDA grant.

            “Nutrition is vital for healthy living. We are happy to be able to coordinate our Wisdom and Wellness program with the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Families, and especially children, are very fortunate.”

            “I am unaware of any other community offering this same type of program. There are summer schools and nutrition programs, yet rarely are they coordinated together, and more surprisingly, offered to the families for free,” Hughes said.

            Library programs, Parks and Recreation departments, bible schools and 4-H / ISU Extension courses have all collaborated to create the summer Wisdom and Wellness activities.

            The program has received financial support from local banks, community development organizations, including Elma’s BRIDGE, Lime Springs’ Jr. Club and Lime Springs’ Commercial Club, the Elma Community Foundation and local industrial businesses, such as Alum-Line, Cresco Building Service, Inc., Donaldson Company, Inc., Plantpeddler, Regional Health Services of Howard County and SMI Company.  Further contributions have come from the Grace Hughes Foundation, HAWC Empowerment and the Howard County Foundation.

            “Some of the most important support has come from civic organizations and individuals that realize what wonderful program this is for our children and community. It is a model for other communities,” Hughes said.

            Families who participate in the summer program are encouraged to carpool to the two locations.

            “The USDA grant limits our ability to offer the Summer Food Service Program in these two locations. Any and all children that attend the program are welcome to eat for free, but the students must be on-site,” Hughes said.

            Although this summer’s Wisdom and Wellness program will only be offered in Elma and Lime Springs, Hughes said he hopes it will expand to all of the Howard-Winneshiek schools in the near future. A community-wide advisory committee has been formed to discuss a possible expansion. In order for the expansion to become a reality, children, families and the community-at-large need to show their support and participation, Hughes said.

            Students can register to take part in the summer offerings up until the first day of courses, but are strongly encouraged to turn in registration forms by the end of this week. Registration is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Classes are limited to 20 students per teacher, with a total program limit of about 140 students per session.

            Last year’s program drew a wide range of participants. Students from Alta Vista, Cresco, Elma, New Hampton, Lime Springs, Riceville and Ridgeway, in addition to children from other communities who were in town to visit relatives, all took part in courses.

            “To see the wide range of participants, excitement in working with neighboring peers and building new friendships was meaningful,” Hughes said. “We look forward to serving a wider audience as we offer the program in multiple sites.”

            Classes range from outdoor activities like swimming to another that focuses on reading at the library. Each session offers a different selection of classes to choose from. Students will be involved with educationally meaningful activities that are also engaging and fun.

            Registration materials were sent home with Howard-Winneshiek students last week. Materials can also be picked up at the elementary school offices.

            Classes include: Growing in the Garden, Golfing, Mad About Science, Art-Art-Art, Curtain Call, RECESS, There’s WHAT in my Food, Building Bonanza, “Team” RULES!, V.B.S. at Lime Springs, Catch the Readin Bug: LS Library, Space Exploration, 3 to Get Ready, 4 to Go: Preschoolers, CB&T Finance Management, SCRATCH: Computer Programming, Theatre Boot Camp, Boys Basketball Camp, BAM!!!: Cooking, Weird Science, Become a Puppet Master, Bugs, Bugs, Bugs and Party in the Park: Swimming.