S.O.A.R.ing into the new year!

A post from Lauren Barnett, site director of Parson Hills S.O.A.R. program

Camp War Eagle’s S.O.A.R After School Program started in 2013, assisting the children from Jones Elementary, grades 1st through 5th. In July 2015, the state of Arkansas awarded S.O.A.R with two grants. These grants allowed Camp War Eagle to open two additional S.O.A.R. sites. In addition to our original S.O.A.R. at the Jones Center in Springdale with Jones Elementary, this year we opened a S.O.A.R program in Springdale at Parson Hills Elementary and in Rogers at Grace Hill Elementary.

        The name of our program is S.O.A.R, standing for Service, Opportunity, Academics and Recreation. S.O.A.R. serves many purposes, giving students opportunities to participate in educational activities, homework help, exciting art projects, fun games and recreation, and rewarding community service opportunities. We strive to give children the opportunity to create, play, learn and serve with us.

  
      Each site differs in structure, bringing it's own creative flavor and excitement to our children. We offer various activities for students to participate in: football, soccer, crafts, experiments, photography, building, STEM, gardening, dancing and many more. S.O.A.R. programs at Jones and Parson Hills have partnered with Art Feeds, an organization that “exists to feed creative development and facilitate emotional expression in children through art and community.” We also partner with Trike Theatre, an organization that “empowers youth to forge deep connections with themselves, their community and the world by seeing, participating, and learning through theatre.” These partnerships have been an incredible encouragement for our students, to expand their creativity and find confidence in who they are.

S.O.A.R. is a place students can come to feel safe, secure, and loved. The directors and staff strive to provide a positive, uplifting environment. We have found this gives students the freedom to express themselves through creativity, sports, arts, music, building, outdoors, and academics. We are very grateful to have three thriving S.O.A.R. programs. Our hope is to continue growing in this way, expanding our mission in reaching students and leading them into successful, bright futures.

A few words from our students

“I love after school because I get to be with my friends and I love my leaders.”

“After school is so fun because I get to play games and get help with my homework.”

“ After School is my favorite part of the day.”

“ I wish I could be at after school all day long.”

“After School is fun because my leaders are nice to me and teach me things.”