Kid/T(w)een Summer Group Session 2

Hard to believe this is only the 2nd meeting.  So well-behaved.... who are these kids?  Sophie showed up today and clearly was a hit with the kids.  In fact, she came along to the local Rancho Los Encinos Park, near Balboa and Ventura.  We brought frisbees, horseshoes, badminton, some kind of superball, and a velcro target catch game.  We purchased duck and geese food for the group; they shared bags of food in three's, which worked out well.

However, before going we began an animation project.  First the group brain-stormed about story ideas, which took a little while.  Once we moved them away from explosions, aliens, and other interesting but complicated ideas, they settled upon two people trying to figure out what they wished to have for lunch (no, I didn't suggest adding the name).  They put together the better part of a couple of scenes, then we headed out after a short stop at Gelsons to pick up snacks to take with us.

Also, we'll be returning to the park in about a week in a half for a park ranger-led tour of the historic adobe structures.  "Jennifer" first began giving tours to our group three years ago -- in fact we were her very first tour.  Now she has asked if the kids who come would be interested in being filmed as part of a documentary to be shown to schools in an attempt to increase interest and attendance (the park was slated for closure back in 2008 and fortunately survived the "chopping block.")  I told her we would be interested, but of course, this requires a separate release beyond what you have already signed.  I should be receiving information from the park soon and will forward it on to you.  Don't worry, whether or not you sign the release, your child will still be able to participate.  We're going to break them up into two groups, those who will be followed by the videographer during the tour and those who will not appear on film.  I'll let you know more as I learn about it.

After a little over an hour at the park, we headed out and had lunch at The Stand, just west of Balboa.  It was nice because we were able latch onto tables that were at least partially shaded (you are putting sunscreen on your kids, right?), and judging by the lunchtime crowd, this is a pretty popular place to eat.  It was enjoyable seeing them conversing and, even now, we're starting to see kids express a preference for sitting next to select peers.  Sometimes we'll help facilitate this and other time we'll ask them to stay where they are.  After lunch, it was a 15 minute walk back to the office, where they continued working on the animation.  Frankly, I didn't plan to spend this much time on it today, but they seemed really interested in working on it and it's a great activity for promoting cooperation, listening, pragmatic language, and handling things if another group member's idea is used.  I try to go around and solicit equally from everyone.  Sometimes it's a story element, other times dialogue, a sound effect, or in this case, an action the character might do.

Soon it was time to call it a day.  I'm always amazed how quickly five hours can pass.  On Monday, we'll have  our first community outing, Laser Tag at Ultra Zone.

Have a great weekend!

Bruce