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Purdue Extension reports growth, food and transportation supports for Summer Community Adventures
Summary
Spencer County Purdue Extension told the North Spencer County School Corporation board that its Summer Community Adventures enrolled 59 youth this year, sustained attendance across seven weeks, added leadership roles for older participants and relied on school transportation and a food partnership to address summer food insecurity.
Jennifer Mayo of Spencer County Purdue Extension presented the board with a report on the program, saying the extension enrolled 59 children in Summer Community Adventures and for the first time this year saw “consistent numbers with these attending all 7 weeks.”
Mayo said the program expanded hands-on activities — including an aerospace/rocket project and a rocket launch at the county 4-H fair — and built connections with families. “We really tried to build those relationships, not just with the youth but with the families, and kind of build that trust,” Mayo said.
The program used school transportation for many participants. Mayo told the board that 42 of the 59 enrolled children rode a school bus to the program this summer after the district allowed use of school buses for transportation; she said reliable bus service helped keep attendance steady. Mayo also described a partnership to reduce summer food insecurity: Bag of Blessings continued to provide its summer bags and, through fundraising, the program supplied fresh produce laid out like a small farmers market so families could choose what to take home.
Mayo described leadership development when older youths returned as counselors and helped kindergarten and early-elementary participants. She said volunteers and teachers from district schools — named in her presentation as Amber Wessels, Kelsey, Jill Lascher and others — supported the program throughout the summer.
Board members asked operational questions about how participants are selected when capacity is near full and about pickup logistics for heavy food bags; Mayo said program staff use permission forms and internal checks and that program leaders prioritize children with the greatest need. The presentation included examples of staff responding to safety concerns during the summer and praised district principals and teachers for their involvement.
No formal board action was required for the presentation; the board received the report and did not vote on new funding or policy for the program during the meeting.
The board packet includes program photographs, volunteer lists and a summary of summer activities; Mayo said the extension will use lessons from this summer to plan for next year.
