Community Engagement
As an organization, one of our goals is to get students connected with the outdoors and surrounding community areas in the Coulee Region. As we approached a season where giving and receiving is prevalent, our program took a step further into how we can give back to this area that we have had the opportunity to experience.
This quarter, students were welcomed into the discussion of who they are within their community. Every student has a unique way of offering themselves into a group effort. Collectively, it creates a strong force of social and emotional change. Each group took ownership of a community project, and had the opportunity to offer up their time and effort towards a positive giving opportunity.
Benefits to Community Engagement:
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Accomplishing a shared goal with peers and adults, and being able to share the challenges and successes of the experience.
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Interaction with adults and organizations outside of their home and school structure.
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Creating and strengthening the space for new positive engagements with the community.
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Community Service Hours
Our Projects
Kane St Garden and the Hunger Task Force
Our Expeditioner, Pathfinder and Explorers group have helped out the Kane St community garden both in the fall and the springtime. Students help with harvest, planting, as well as helping to create new garden beds. In the winter, students have helped out at the food pantry that helps support the garden by sorting out new donations, as well as washing crates and after donations have been made.
Brookdale Senior Living
Our Adventurers group has been maintaining a connection with Brookdale for our 3rd school year now! Adventurers started the connection with pen pal letters, which then progressed into craft making/ baked goods exchanging. This past winter, we also shared their B&B performance for the residents.
Coulee Region Humane Society
Our Expeditioners, Pathfinders, and Explorers have all strengthened our connection with the Coulee Humane Society. Students practice giving back to others by making tie blankets for the animals up for adoption, as well as fleece toys and dog food. In return, they get to spend time with some of their furry friends!
Salvation Army
During the holidays, Adventurers, Explorers, Pathfinders, Expeditioners all participate in the annual bell ringing for the Salvation Army. Groups have gone to the Festival foods just down the street from us and spread some holiday cheer by raising donations to help support the homeless population in our area. This year our students raised $673 in donations!
Once the holiday season is over, we continue to make donations to the Salvation Army. Groups make tie blankets (as well as fleece hats) and deliver them to their location in central La Crosse, where they get distributed to the homeless in the community.
Rotary Lights
Our older students, Pathfinders and Expeditioners will now be on their 3rd annual year of volunteering with the Rotary lights. Groups work 2 hour shifts where they help put up holiday decorations and lights for the festival during the holiday season. Students also help to decorate our organization's tree, for the rest of the community to see throughout the season.
ORA
In the winter months, our older groups have worked to create Sled Libraries for the Outdoor Recreation Alliance! These structures are placed around the community so that anyone is able to use sleds during this time. This fall, we hope to help maintain some of the trails our groups use often on our outings.
Career Week
This past school year, we kicked off our first career week at Coulee! Members from our community were able to come into the younger and older classrooms and teach our kids about what they do to give back to our community. This past year we had a cop, professional storyteller, as well as a visit to the firestation! The kids who were on a trip to the Turtle Flambeau were able to hear from a DNR worker who helps to maintain the campsite we visit every Fall, Spring and Summer.
