Springing into Fun at The Club

DAYTON-Spring break allows many children to travel with their families, visit distant relatives, or relax without worrying about school. At The Club of Dayton, a nonprofit organization providing youth programs, offered four full days of fun and activities for area elementary school students during spring break.

Thirty students from Dayton and Waitsburg participated in The Club's spring break program. There was a nominal fee to attend, but financial support, thanks to generous donations by individuals and organizations, was available to families needing help covering the cost. In addition to all the activities, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack were provided daily.

Snowfall on the first day of the program brought the outdoor activities indoors, and the day's highlights were a couple of unique art projects. For one project students coated eggshells with a mixture of glue and Borax, which yields a crystalline surface they painted. In another project, students painted on square ceramic tiles with alcohol-based paints. Imaginations and smiles were on full display as the kids took home their brightly colored creations.

On day two, with remarkably improved weather, The Club crew traveled by Columbia County Public Transportation (CCPT) buses to the Children's Museum of Walla Walla. After a rapidly devoured sack lunch in the museum's gathering space, students were turned loose to take full advantage of all the museum offers. Virtually every room was filled with joyful noises as children engaged with the various kid-focused exhibits. The field trip peaked as students filled the museum's outdoor playground, complete with a fire truck, teepee, boat, and sandbox.

The Club students were invited by the Friends of the Dayton Memorial Library to visit the Dayton Elementary School multi-purpose room for the third day of the annual book sale.

Thanks to an incredibly generous offer from the Friends, each student could select five books to keep at no cost to the student or The Club. Students could be seen poring over the long tables full of books. Many could not wait to dive into their selections and were found sitting wherever they could find a spot to start flipping through their hauls.

Later that afternoon, volunteer Katie Leid, a retired educator, visited The Club to provide a science-based activity in which students built balloon-powered cars out of Legos. The students had to problem-solve and adjust their creations to help them travel more effectively.

The Club's entourage boarded CCPT buses destined for Fort Walla Walla Museum for the final day of activities. Museum guides led students through the fascinating exhibits that highlight the area's rich history. Many of the students showed genuine interest through the deluge of questions tour guides fielded.

By all accounts, The Club's spring break program was a resounding success. Students and staff were treated to unique and engaging activities and experiences. Hungry mouths and minds were fed, and thanks to the incredible support of the community, no one was denied that opportunity. It was definitely a great week.