Now one of the parts of the program includes a 2 hour community service segment. This is where I became involved. I volunteer at a nature center. The nature center set up a program where the cadets could get in their two hours of community service. The Nature Center has 299 steps to take people up and down in few steep places, a few benches at convenient spots and three viewing decks. All of these get covered with spruce needles . Ah ha! We'll get cadets to come in and sweep these off.
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| Sweep and clean out the stuff between the cracks. |
So today I was assigned 7 cadets and 8 work sites that had to be cleaned up. The kids were given shovels, rakes, brooms, and scrapers. The kids had fancy army gloves and lots of water.
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| Looking into the sun with all the tools and a fine background. |
Off we went.
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| A little break in the shade. |
I enjoyed my 2 hours with the kids. I found that I really miss the banter with kids this age.Some of them had no idea how to use tools. I had to show some to put pressure on the brooms so things could be swept off. Some had to be reminded that the loose material on the steps had to be taken off. They seemed to think that waving the broom around the area did the trick.
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| Work on the steps |
As always when you are taking a group on a three Km walk , there are 2 or 3 who have to be in your back pocket. They walk right beside you all the way and chat the whole way.
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| Homeward bound. The other crew cleaned this bridge. |
We were happy to get some things cleaned up in the sanctuary and I hope the kids learned to feel good about community service.
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| A fine work crew on the way home. |
Pictures were a challenge and I didn't have time to think about things as I was watching the kids. I hope you'll be able to see what we did.
It looks like everyone had a good time doing something productive and useful. A win win for everyone.
ReplyDeleteWin win is certainly the right term.
DeleteIt brings me back to the days when my son was in air cadets. They did a lot of these sorts of community services. I'm glad you and the kids enjoyed yourselves. It looks like they got a fair bit done.. thanks to your leadership.
ReplyDeleteThere are 299 steps so that's a lot of sweeping. These are top notch kids. We always had a number of kids around school who were in cadets.
DeleteGood job you guys! Looks all clean and sparkly! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you ! Thank you!
DeleteWell what you did ~ was a great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks. We did have fun though.
DeleteExcellent, all is ship shape by the look of things.
ReplyDeleteYou can't complain when you get something done for free. These kids were really good about it.
DeleteWhat a nice idea to do some volunteer work together.
ReplyDeleteA lot can be learned from volunteering.
DeleteHow helpful to have the kids for clean-up duty. Makes for an interesting way to spend the day. I enjoyed your photos.
ReplyDeleteThese kids had been prepared well so things went smoothly.
DeleteIt amazes me that someone might not know how to use a broom! This must seem a bit like summer camp to the young men, and they certainly were given a gift to have time to spend with you, Red. I enjoyed the story very much! :-)
ReplyDeleteWe were warned that some of them would be unfamiliar with the use of tools. Cadets are mixed here. I had two girls in the group.
Deletethat's awesome! i hope they appreciate the time they were able to spend with you, too! soaking in knowledge and just good communication. :)
ReplyDeleteIt goes both ways. I get a lot from the kids.
DeleteThat sounds like a great experience for the kids as well as for you. I bet the kids learned a lot without even realizing it.
ReplyDeleteThese kids also had a genuine interest in the natural area we were in.
DeleteLike DJan, I am amazed that anyone would not know how to use a broom! Thank goodness they come in contact with people like you along the way!
ReplyDeleteIt is kind of amazing but one kid told me that he helps his Mom with house work but it's always with a vacuum cleaner. Maybe we should have had blowers?
DeleteGood experience for the kids and you both!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like much fun!
ReplyDeleteI bet you are a great supervisor!!!!!
And work well-done!
Oh Red I love that you do this, kids now a days can use some good role model's and you are certainly that. B
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day for all of them! Imagine not being familiar with tools! My Dad had me at his work bench when I was just a tiny thing!
ReplyDelete