Newsletter Archive

In this issue, you'll read:
Making Waves on Spring Break
Volunteer Appreication
Breathing Easy
Make it Count Mentoring Month
Summer Time and the Livin' is Easy
Join Us

Making Waves on Spring Break

Over Watauga County School's Spring Break, WYN took an ambitious group of middle school youth to Fort Caswell, North Carolina. Tucked away on the eastern tip of Oak Island, Fort Caswell occupies the site of a former Civil War fort. Accompanied by four WYN staff members, 8 youth were given the opportunity to spend 4 days and 3 nights exploring the many amenities offered by the coast of North Carolina. The group stayed in an ocean front cottage overlooking a fishing pier.

Among the activities experienced by the students were fishing, sea kayaking, tours of Civil War forts and visits to the North Carolina Aquarium and the Coquina Rocks at Fort Fisher.

A 30-minute ferry ride to the Coquina Rocks at Fort Fisher allowed students to get a firsthand look at the diverse marine life sheltered by the coquina rock. Coquina, Spanish for "cockle," is a sedimentary rock that is cemented together by seashells or coral, giving it a rough, gravelly look and feel, with estimates of its origin ranging from 12,000 to 80,000 years ago. The rock was used in years past as a building material for homes and even forts, because it was good at absorbing cannon fire.

Participants enjoyed the trip so much that one even said, "Do we have to leave???"

WYN's Spring Break trips offer opportunities for WYN participants to travel and gain hands on experience with fellow WYN students. With the success of this year's trip WYN looks forward to planning more spring break trips far into the future. This year marked the fourth WYN Spring Break trip for students.

To view a photo album from this Spring Break at Fort Caswell Click Here

Volunteer Appreication

Angela McMann, WYN's Mentoring Director, recruited the help of the AmeriCorps Promise Fellows, Katie Richards and Anna Baker, while planning and hosting WYN's annual Volunteer Appreciation Event that took place on Tuesday, April 21st.

To recognize and appreciate volunteers, WYN staff invited all volunteers to come and celebrate another successful year. Volunteers included all board members, community partners, mentors, and tutors. WYN proudly welcomed over 40 volunteers throughout the evening who were given a special WYN CD to commemorate the year's accomplishments.

Reid's Cafe provided an intimate venue for a delightful evening that blended delicate h'orderves with soothing background folk music. As a special surprise, WYN students paired with ASU Music Therapy students in preparing their own musical numbers to perform for volunteers.

Many thanks to Tina at Reid's for accommodating for this year's Volunteer Appreciation.

Breathing Easy

WYN's After School Program is partnering with WYN's Prevention Curriculum Coordinator, Brian Kreher, to provide support and skill development for a student group of six male participants. The group will meet once a week and focus on methods for relaxation, de-escalation, stress reduction, and self-control.

By expanding their knowledge of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, the group hopes to successfully combat some otherwise complex situations. In recent weeks the group has been practicing guided imagery, a known relaxation technique that is simple and convenient, allowing quick and easy stress management.

Future goals include gaining a better understanding of these relaxation techniques and their correlation to focus and attention span. With end of grade testing approaching, WYN hopes these skills will help participants improve their overall ability to react appropriately in stressful situations.

Make it Count Mentoring Month

This month, WYN's Mentoring Program is providing 3 unique opportunities for mentors and their mentees.

Give Back! Saturday, May 16th, 9:00am-2:00pm - Volunteer
Mentors and their mentees are invited to share in opportunity to help give back to the community by volunteering their time.The group will be joining park rangers at Elk Knob State Park to help restore and build trails. Elk Knob State Park is an 1800 acre state park in Watauga County. Opened in 2003, it is one of North Carolina's newest state parks. Elk Knob State Park was established to preserve the natural state of Elk Knob, the second highest peak in Watauga County. The park is open for year-round recreation and is currently undergoing an expansion of facilities to provide greater recreational opportunities to visitors.

Educate! Thursday, May 21st, 3:30-5:00pm - Career Fair
Join WYN's After School Program at our Career Fair at the Old Cove Creek Gym. Local professionals will be available to shed light on various careers while providing realistic options for future endeavors. This is an excellent opportunity for WYN participants to further explore a variety of interests and gain knowledge of the different vocations available in our community.

Have Fun! Saturday, May 30th, 9:00am-5:00pm - Canoeing Trip
Come experience the outdoors. This trip is open to Project Venture students as well as mentors and their mentees. This canoeing trip will take place at New River State Park. Easy paddling and spectacular scenery make the New River a natural canoe trail for inexperienced paddlers. Its shallow, gentle waters and mild rapids are perfect for groups. This is the last Project Venture Trip this year and is a perfect opportunity for the group to experience the river's beauty and tranquility.

Summer Time and the Livin' is Easy

Summer Time Reminders

Summer Program:
Summer Program Registration for non-WYN participants begins May 18th
Summer Program dates: June 18th-July 23rd (Closed July 6th- July 10th)
For more information on our Summer Program please Click Here

The Grizzly:
Friday, July 10, 2009 - 8am Start
Early Registration Deadline is 7/3/09.
For more information about the Grizzly Click Here

Join Us

Donate
Being a young person is something that each and every one of us understands. To help WYN help this generation of young people, we need your assistance. To make a tax-deductible donation to WYN, visit our website at www.westernyouthnetwork.org and use PayPal, or mail your check to: 155 WYN Way, Boone, NC 28607.

Goodsearch
If you frequently conduct internet searches (most of us do), please consider using GoodSearch. This search engine works just like Google, and it pays WYN 1 penny for each search you conduct. Visit www.goodsearch.com and type in "Western Youth Network" in the "Who do you search for" box. These pennies add up quickly!

Mentor
Help shape the life of a young person and enhance your own at the same time by becoming a mentor. The commitment is only 2 hours a week and it literally makes a lifetime of difference. Contact Angela McMann at mcmanna@westernyouthnetwork.org to find our more.

Western Youth Network is a High Country United Way agency.

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