This post joins a string of others announcing publications about Honors College students. We can hardly keep up with these engaged and successful young adults!
An awesome jump-five photo captured at Memminger Elementary School. Photo courtesy of The College Today.
Yesterday, The College Today posted an article about Honors junior Clay Dustin and his volunteer program, Project Playground–an integral part of this year’s Honors Engaged program, which gets Honors students involved in campus engagement during their first year. After volunteering as a reading mentor at Memminger Elementary School here in downtown Charleston, he noticed that a lot of kids didn’t participate in recess. Teachers cited some students’ behavioral problems or other teaching responsibilities that kept them from being able to participate in structured play with their students. But it’s no secret that regular playtime has lots of physical, emotional and social benefits. So Dustin had an idea.
“I’m a firm believer in fun,” says Clay. “If you can occupy kids with a game of tag, you can distract them from things that might get them in trouble.”
Project Playground gathers Honors students to play with Memminger kids and provide some “game-oriented guidance.” It keeps the younger students out of trouble and offers a great way for College students to get involved with a community only a few blocks away. It has been such a success that it is now an official College club (over which Dustin presides, of course), collaborating with local nonprofit Communities in Schools. Project Playground has even been incorporated into a Human Growth and Development course taught by Professor Anne Gutshall. Her education students benefit greatly from its reinforcement of the importance of recess and physical activity for a positive learning environment.
Now, about fifty students make up Project Playground’s volunteer roster. They keep the games fun and flexible, encouraging kids to use their imaginations. “I love the creative aspects,” Clay says. “As adults, we often misunderstood the actions of children. More often than not, kids just want to be good.”
Congratulations on your feature, Clay! We are so proud of you and our other Honors students who have been soaking up the limelight recently. We encourage any readers who are looking for an opportunity for community engagement to check out Project Playground!
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