Editor’s Note: This schedule included in this story has been updated after receiving an incorrect schedule.
Eighth grader Brooklyn Dunnaway was excited for the opportunity to create her own candle on Thursday afternoon.
Dunnaway, along with nearly 20 other middle schoolers, spent the afternoon at Fuse Candle Bar as part of DCCCA’s summer activity program for Eudora students.
Candle making was Dunnaway’s first of the summer activities, but she plans on attending future events from now on.
“You get to see a lot of people you don’t see that often and you get to learn how to do things you wouldn’t normally do,” Dunnaway said.
Alex Mendel, the middle and high school’s DCCCA prevention specialist, said the program is a way to keep kids engaged in a positive environment. DCCCA is a nonprofit that provides information and resources about topics like drug and alcohol use, mental health, and traffic safety.
“The whole purpose is to direct their attention towards healthy behaviors, staying away from drugs and alcohol and empowering them to make good choices for themselves and their friends,” Mendel said.
This month, students have competed in kickball tournaments, had field days and painted pottery. Eighth grader Clara Peterson said pottery painting was her favorite activity.
“That was fun, and you just got to chill and paint,” Peterson said.
Peterson said the activities give students a chance to try new things.
“It’s not like activities you normally do on a normal day. Like making candles, I haven’t done that before and it’s just fun to get the opportunity,” she said.
This is the first year DCCCA has provided these summer events, Mendel said. During the spring, Mendel reached out to students about what activities they were interested in and created the schedule from there.
“We tried to set a schedule that would make sense and be consistent. So, every Tuesday is something for high schoolers and every Thursday something for middle schoolers,” she said.
Sophomore Elizabeth Wynn, Mendel’s summer intern, said helping with the summer activity program has made her feel like she is making a difference in the community.
“It makes me feel good because, I think, I’m doing something good for the students and community and, overall, making Eudora better just one small change at a time,” Wynn said.
Wynn encourages middle and high schoolers to continue coming to the activities throughout the summer.
“It’s just a way to connect with the community and connect with students,” she said.
Activities will continue every week through the first week of August. Activities include a scavenger hunt, drive-in movie and a pool party. Activities are free for all middle and high schoolers.
Mendel said she hopes to collect feedback from students and continue to do more activities into the school year.
“Hopefully, we’re going to do more drive-in movies and fun stuff,” she said. “We can hopefully do this again next summer.”
To sign up for future activities, use this form. Parents must provide consent by also filling out this form.
Here’s the full list of summer activities:
Tuesday, June 25
4 p.m. – High school scavenger hunt
Thursday, June 27
4 p.m. – Middle school scavenger hunt
Friday, July 5
8 p.m. – All student drive-in movie at the high school
Tuesday, July 9
4 p.m. – High school bingo night
Thursday, July 11
4 p.m. – Middle school bingo night
Tuesday, July 23
6 p.m. – High school board games and pizza night
Thursday, July 25
6 p.m. – Middle school board games and pizza night
Friday, August 2
7 p.m. – All student pool party at Eudora City Pool
Reach reporter Ryn Drummond at [email protected]
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