Open Hours
Barb's proposal for Open Hours:
Reduce the number of days that we have open hours to 2 or maybe 3 days a week (4-7PM). Open hours would be limited to the Zine Library space only and all that would be offered would be computer use and reading materials from the Library. The rest of the downstairs space would not be opened. Kids could sign up for using the computers for 20 or maybe 30 minute periods always leaving at least one computer available for adult use. Kids would be given those two options only and only use of that space. If they are not interested in those activities (reading or short times on the computer) then they will need to leave.
At the same time we should encourage kids to tell us what kind of short SouthSide U classes they would like to sign up for. Explore with them there interests and write them down. We also need to have adult instructors or group leaders let Katie know what kinds of short classes they would be prepared to lead. For instance, I would be interested/prepared in facilitating a group of children in either gardening, quilting, crafts or preparing cold, healthy snacks (cooking without using the stove). I am thinking that I would like to meet 4 or 5 sessions, about 30-60 minutes. Others may want shorter or longer sessions. We could match kids interests with adult/leader's expertise. Kids would sign up for classes. I think limiting groups to no more that 6 children would work best. Only those that sign up in advance could come to that specific group. It does not work to build group cohesion if the members change. I also think that every group should have a service component, primarily to keeping the building well maintained. Even if group members spend a few minutes at the beginning picking up litter around the building or taking out the trash. I also thing that the end of each group class/meeting should be clean up time, cleaning up after the activity. Classes would take place either in the center or large room, depending on the activity. Wouldn't it be cool to do a kid's yoga group in the big room? Anybody prepared to lead a kid's yoga group?
Anyway, what do others think of the proposal?
List of activities at CAMP written by the kids
To assist with ongoing discussion about open hours activities at CAMP, here is a list hanging on a wall in the zine library that incorporates suggestions from the kids that come to CAMP.
Desires
====
puzzles
movies on wednesday
fieldrips:
- art museum
- science ctr
- six flags
- public library
- do we need to arrange permission slips?
car wash
cards games
bake sale/snocones
food drive/delivery
reading club!
hairdo
knitting
henna
mural/mosaic
danceoff
talent show
youtube
music mixing/DJing
musical chairs
board games/puzzles
- uno
- domino
- memory
- trouble
- clue
- monopoly
Capabilities (and who)
======
quilting - Barb
mural painting - Patrick
bookmaking - hannah
mapmaking - la?
printmaking - hannah
silhouettes - hannah
animation - la
ZINE making
furniture/bike painting
web development - ben
software use - ben
projector for movies
Open Hours Mtg 7/20
Open Hours Meeting Friday 7/20
How it goes so far
==================
Hannah & Katie reported good experiences with kids this week & last
- still problems with w/ kids sneaking in during close
- wednesday last week also went well. Barb made trail mix, decorated bags. Hannah did potato stamps.
Next Steps
==================
Write grant to pay folks $20 to hold 2hour class
Parys will help with shelving for supplies
Budget for supplies
- Katie has list of places when supplies are cheap/free
- Ben knows a place for used/surplus teacher supplies
Larva: communicate with neighborhood
- do survey door-2-door and online
- ask people: what would you like 2 see here? would you be willing 2 help?
- *** identify adults willing to commit to activities, have kids sign up
Contact Cassandra, local mom who expressed strong interest in helping, hire part-time?
Post list of activities created by kids online
Katie will contact folks on sign-up lists
Resolve confusion about who coordinates/staffs open hours
- page on website for open hours scheduling, where folks can sign up easily?
Continue current open hours during Saturday bikeshop only
- make clear to bikeshoppers they can't open inside if not enough folks to staff inside
Open questions
==================
Put a fridge in 1st floor?
Issues with computers:
- kids really like Mr. Potato head & paper dolls games
- scholasticgames.com is also popular
- adults have used to write resumes
- need simple way to turn off all PCs, or disable login
- some kids just won't share. need way to enforce 30minute time limit.
Ambiguities about events policy (see below)
Funding options
==================
Seek funding for McSweeney 826-style programs
www.826nyc.org in Brooklyn
www.826valencia.org in SanFran
www.826chi.org in Chicago
- funds tutoring and writing groups
- could use to pay staff for homework club?
Southside University Plans
==================
What programs are planned for Fall, Spring, remainder of this summer?
Katie: approach SSU as scheduled classes/clubs during open hours
- *** have kids sign up into clubs
- Hannah: important to put up signs announcing scheduled classes, distribute calendar door-2-door, announce online as newsletter
- let stragglers who come in off the street join existing clubs when space available
Restart homework club; contact Laura Andersen.
Ben offered math tutoring.
Hannah has list generated by kids of preferred activities
Newsletter
==================
Katie is assembling a newsletter
- announce scheduled classes
- additional to calendar after press may go online
- list active CAMP groups
- send to folks who signed up during 6/2 open house and thereafter
- How often: 2x per month, monthly?
- Need to establish format for printed newsletter
Hannah: we don't yet have solid enough plan to announce anything more than 1week prior
Events Policy
==================
For "free events," $30 fee waived at board's discretion
- *** Problematic: how to do free events fairly.
- Suggest having percentage of work-trade/free events vs. paid events every month.
importantly: the idea to
importantly: the idea to only have the library open was solely for this week, to recuperate.
also importantly: the kids are totally stoked to be able to think about what they want to do. they want to do lots and lots and lots and lots. lots of excitement over ideas of field trips and ideas of crafts and space beautification. (please know: this beautification comes in many forms, like they were fighting today over who would get to dust and clean parts of the downstairs). this said, i think it'd be a shame to not be open the four days we currently are. but we need the people power and dedication behind it.
thing one related: come and write down a skill you're willing to share on our excited orange list. it's in the zine library.
thing two related: just come by.
thing three related: good idea to put out a paper for folks to write contact info (email!) in the libary?
thing four related: the hours log (in libary) is a brilliant thing. read it, suggest things, note....
okay okay okay. i'm excited about this forum. yes!
Comments from 7/2 board mtg
Hannah
- Kids really like to help beautify space
- Have them help with gardening work
Patrick
- Write down all suggested programs, call a kids meeting.
- Bring out artists, musicians, DJs to use CAMP for their outreach activities
- Could reach out to Gabe Moskoff (DJ Trackstar)
Shannon
- Last open hours were quite chaotic, and kids broke in after closing