Learning after school

She carefully put colored craft paper onto the cardboard cylinder.

"It's a valentine color," the girl exclaimed.

The project was part of Camp Fire USA's KIDS CARE after-school program at Ross Elementary. The program is also available at Goliad, Johnson, Jordan and Austin elementary schools.

The program is meant to provide a fun environment for children while teaching them values and community service, said Nancy Burgess, director of operations for the Camp Fire USA West Texas Council.

That cardboard art project had a purpose.

"You will get to make this to give to the people at the nursing home," Burgess told the children gathered around.

Camp Fire kids take part in other community service projects, such as a V-Day for Vets program in which the students create cards they deliver to veterans at the VA Hospital in Big Spring. Burgess wants to expand this year by taking part in Keep Odessa Beautiful as well.

Students taking part in the KIDS CARE program must attend the host school. A daily routine normally consists of having some time outside, a snack, homework and then fun activities like games, LEGOs or craft projects.

"If we teach them to do homework now, maybe they can get into the habit of doing it the rest of the year," Burgess said.

Burgess said the after-school program follows the national Camp Fire curriculum, which follows four key themes: environment, community, nature and responsibility.

Parents may sign their children up to take part in their school's KIDS CARE for $35 a week for one child and $30 for each additional child. However, Burgess said many parents receive scholarships for their children through money provided to Camp Fire from the United Way and other sources.

"We make a way so everyone can come and not be sitting at home after school," Burgess said.

She said those attending schools without KIDS CARE should talk to them if they want to add the program. Burgess will then talk to the principal, since allowing Camp Fire to use school facilities is up to the administration at each campus.

The Ross program goes from about 3:15 to 6 p.m., when parents should have picked up their students. Enrollment stands at 35, the maximum capacity allowed at that school.

Recently at Ross, several of the students spent time creating a LEGO building, working well together - most of the time.

"Oh no, you made it fall down," one student told another as the LEGO project tumbled down. Despite the minor disaster, they had it built up again in just a few minutes.

Some other students put together puppets for a show later.

"What kind of hair do you want for your puppet?" asked Camp Fire caregiver Nidia Madrid, a college student who joined the program last March. She motioned to the curled yarn standing in for human hair.

After hearing a girl wanted orange hair for her puppet made from a paper lunch sack, she cut it to just the right size.

"Mine has highlights," one girl said as she put glue into the middle of the doll's hair.

Madrid said Fridays are movie days, and the staff work to create variety so students don't get bored. She said she loves the job for the flexibility in hours due to school, but for more than that.

"I love spending time with the kids - that's what it is all about," Madrid said. 

BY THE NUMBERS

>> 51 percent: Proportion of females in Camp Fire USA programs.

>> 49 percent: Proportion of males in Camp Fire USA programs.

>> $35: Weekly tuition for one child.

>> $15: Drop-in fee per day.

>> $20: Registration fee per child.