April 2005      Vol.6 Issue 4

Signup Opportunities for Interesting Programs

Young Saint Louis.com is cooperating with the following organizations and programs that provide interesting opportunities for St. Louis area kids. You can check them out yourself or get your teacher or group leader to see about participation.

During the 2003-2004 school year, YSL.com will write stories about kids participating in many of these programs.

CATEGORIES: Chess/Outdoors, Local Government, Science, Money, Music, Careers, Environment, History, Performances, Service, Lifestyle

Chess/Outdoors

Read, Right, Run / Spirit of St. Louis Marathon

214 S. Bemiston, Suite 2N
Clayton, Mo 63105
(314) 727-0800
e-mail: spiritjb@sbcglobal.net
website: www.stlouismarathon.com

Program: Sponsors year-long program for school kids that includes reading, good works and running. Starts in October and ends in the spring in a Health & Fitness Expo event. The 2005 Expo will be held April 8-10 in Forest Park and downtown St. Louis.

What to do now: Talk with your teacher about signing up for the 2005-2006 program.

Conservation Frontiers
Missouri Department of Conservation
Outreach and Education Division

P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, Mo. 65102-0180
Local chapters: Powder Valley
(314) 301-1500
Busch Area
(636) 441-4554

Program: Conservation Pioneer members get involved in 130 different activities, ranging from learning new outdoor skills to helping develop new wildlife and conservation facilities. This program is open to Missourians of all ages; kids up to 18 need to have an adult sponsor.

What to do now: Call local Frontier coordinators at either Powder Valley or Busch Wildlife Area to learn about the opportunities.

Local Government

Citizenship Education Clearing House
University of Missouri-St. Louis

312 Marilac Hall
8001 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, Mo. 63121-4490
(314) 516-6853
e-mail: pippink@umsl.edu

Program: Helps school classes get involved in significant local projects that help kids understand the workings of local government. Results often are included in new developments in local communities.

What to do now: Have your teacher contact Karen Pippen at CECH to signup for a project of your choice.

Science

Challenger Learning Center

205 Brotherton Lane
Ferguson, Mo. 63135
(314) 521-6205
e-mail: tasmyn@clcstlouis.org
website: www.clcstlouis.org

Program: The Center will help children and adults experience space exploration and develop a long-term interest in math, science and technology. The St. Louis facility is the 49th in series of centers established as a memorial to the Challenger crew killed in a space accident in 1986.

What to do now: Contact center director Tasmyn Front for more information and reservations for visits. The center will host groups from schools, communities, corporations and the general public. (Individuals or families can register; they will be added to others to make up a study group.)

Money

Stock Market Game
Missouri Council on Economic Education

Manheim Hall #104H
5100 Rockhill Rd.
Kansas City, Mo. 64110
1-816-235-2658 or 1-800-746-7432
e-mail gravensteinM@umkc.edu
website: www.umkc.edu/mcee

Program: The MCEE sponsors a classroom curriculum on stock investing that lets St. Louis teams match their mock portfolio performances with other Missouri kids. Learn the principles of investing while having fun.

What to do now: Have your teacher contact director Mark Gravenstein to get details on the program.

Music

Young Heroes in Music /
Classic 99 Radio

85 Founders Lane
Clayton, Mo. 63105
(314) 725-0099
also: Tricia Oates
Educational Initiatives Mgr.
(314) 505-7814

Program: Classic 99 Radio sponsors the Young Heroes program to recognize outstanding young African-American musicians. The chosen artists perform at semi-annual concerts broadcast live from the Missouri Botanical Garden.

What to do now: Contact Tricia Oates to signup for auditions October 7 to select performers for November 22 concert.

Careers

Pathfinder
Regional Center for Education & Work
University of Missouri-St. Louis

8001 Natural Bridge Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63121
e-mail: vrugtmanr@msx.umsl.edu
website: stlpathfinder.communityos.org

Program: The Pathfinder program helps area kids create their own resumes and learn more about career opportunities. Also, resumes are on-line for use by potential higher education schools or employers. The database also helps kids find information needed for their classwork.

What to do now: If you or your teacher would like to learn more about Pathfinder, contact the program coordinator, Rosanne Vrugtman, by phone or e-mail.

Environment

Choose Environmental Excellence-
Gateway Region (CEEGR)

9012 Manchester Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63144
(314) 962-4100
e-mail: info@ceegr.org
website: www.ceegr.org

Program: Supports comprehensive programs to encourage conservation of natural resources and preservation of the environment. Sponsors Environmental Excellence Awards program to honor individuals, schools, companies and organizations.

What to do now: Check group's website or contact local office to see how your school can get involved in CEEGR programs.

History

(coming soon)

Performances

St. Louis Storytelling Festival
Continuing Education & Outreach
University of Missouri-St. Louis

One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121
(314) 516-6590
e-mail: conted@umsl.edu
website: www.umsl.edu/~conted/storyfes/

Program: Will sponsor the 26th annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival, "Sparks by the River: Keepers of the Dream," on May 4-7, 2005. The art of storytelling seeks to pass on history and tales to the next generation by word of mouth. This is storytelling at its best.

What to do now: If you are a student from 5th grade through high school with an interest in being a storyteller for next year's Festival, call or e-mail to receive information about how to become a storyteller.

Service

Young Achievers of the Year
International Leadership Network

1750 S. Brentwood Blvd., Suite 502
St. Louis, MO 63144
(314) 961-5978
e-mail:ilnleadnet@aol.com
website: www.iln-gateway.org

Program: ILN sponsors a program to recognize elementary, middle and high school students who exhibit strong academic growth, extra-curriculuar activities and community service.

What to do now: (NEW LISTING) If you are interested in entering the 2005 Young Achiever of the Year competition, you should have your parents, teachers and/or group leader contact the International Leadership Network for nomination forms. To obtain forms by mail, call (314) 961-5978 or you can access a form at www.youngachievers.us.

Lifestyle

Red Ribbon Days
National Council on Alcoholism
and Drug Abuse (NCADA)

8790 Manchester
St. Louis, MO 63144
(314) 962-3456

Program: NCADA sponsors programs aimed at helping students avoid abuse of alcohol and other drugs. One of the programs is Red Ribbon Days, held each October. There are other programs available during the year.

What to do now: Contact the Ginny Shaller or Karen Jones at the local NCADA office to see how your school can participate in Red Ribbon Days and other programs.