By By Lowell Hummer / special to The Star
July 25, 2002
Neighbors and friends from Magnolia Courts, Parents as Teachers and St. Paul's Episcopal Church are teaming together this week to put on "Character University Day Camp" for neighborhood children.
Each of the camp's five days focuses on one of the attributes stressed in Meridian Public Schools' Character Education program.
Outdoor games, arts and crafts and story time revolve around the trait of the day: Respect, Compassion, Leadership, Honesty and Gratitude. The day begins with breakfast and a discussion and ends with lunch, mail call and a recap of the day's lessons.
The Rev. Edward O'Connor and Brohaugh of St. Paul's and Cathy Trawick of the Magnolia Courts Parents as Teachers Center worked with Cindy Burt, Meridian Public Schools Character Education coordinator, to develop the program around the key components of good character needed for success in school and in life.
Forty to 50 children assemble each morning at 9 a.m. at the center for breakfast served by St. Paul's volunteers. St. Paul's youth group volunteers and teen workers from the church's Summer Youth Service Project help adult activity leaders guide day campers from activity to activity.
The day ends at noon after letters written to the children by church members are distributed.
Examples of character-building activities include reading the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on leadership day, and decorating stationery to write thank-you letters on gratitude day. Games emphasize cooperation and fairness.
Friday's session will end with presentation of Character University T-shirts donated by Judge Little Sporting Goods.
Cathy Trawick contributed to this article.