About 100 kids in Monongalia County are taking part in Energy Express, a six-week program that helps fight the dreaded summer slide.
Despite its fun theme-park-ride-sounding name, the summer slide is a decline in academic skills that occurs when kids go unstimulated over summer vacation.
In addition to two hot meals a day, breakfast and lunch, the kids participate in drama, reading, writing, art and non-competitive recreation activities, Site Coordinator Kristie Cumberledge said.
“We have fun,” 9-year-old Anna Davila said when asked what she does at Energy Express.
Davila has participated for three years and said she keeps coming back because she enjoys it.
Other students, such as 10-year-old Colton Barr, are attending Energy Express for the first time. Both students said their favorite part of the day was recess.
“Yeah, I really enjoy Energy Express,” Barr said. “The teachers are nice and I appreciate everyone here.”
The program is volunteer-based and anyone who wants to volunteer can simply show up at one of the three locations and speak with a site coordinator. After passing an on-the-spot background check, they can volunteer for the day. To be a long-term volunteer they must complete Title IX training. Those interested can also contact WVU Extension, Cumberledge said.
Skyview, Mylan Park and Mason-Dixon elementary schools all host the program. Each school has four classes, each with eight students. Cumberledge said she wishes Mon could host additional classes, but the number of students is controlled by the grant from Americorps.
“Honestly, what don’t I like?” Volunteer Moriah Davis said. “I know it’s a little cheesy but totally true.”
Davis said she loves the fact that the kids can read one-on-one at their skill level and the way the group reading helps the students learn to analyze and interact with the texts. She also loves that the kids get to do art with found objects every day. She explained that during the school year, students only get to do art once a week despite it being something many of them enjoy.
“I just give them a prompt and they can make it out of anything and everything and it’s great,” Davis said.
She’s not kidding about the anything and everything. WVU Extension collected found objects. Lining the walls of a classroom are boxes filled with old magazines, egg cartons, wrapping paper, yarn, empty cereal boxes and more.
Cumberledge said the three Energy Express host schools are also open feeding sites, meaning anyone under 18 who needs breakfast or lunch can get one for free.
Breakfast is held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and lunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Energy Express and the free meals end on July 26.
