Hub Club is in full swing this fall. As our after-school program for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade, it brings kids together as a community to learn and enjoy new things.
Students get help with homework, a snack, and time to build both skills and community throughout the different sessions. Many get to see friends from different schools and other Urban Ventures programs.
We asked program leaders to tell us about what’s been happening since the beginning of the school year.
Music & Arts
Ashley Dubose, our Music & Arts Coordinator, believes Hub Club offers a transition from a long day at school to continuing the kids’ learning, but in different forms than the classroom. She has begun incorporating theater elements into the music curriculum to strengthen students’ performance skills and build confidence and storytelling.
“I think in order to be a good performer of music, you have to be able to tap into the emotion and message of the song,” Ashley said. “You have to get into character and embody the feeling you’re trying to portray because music and theater go hand in hand.”
Photography & Media
Photography teacher Ben Levy said the program offers an educational tool to help students think outside the box and see the world through a different lens. One of Urban Ventures’ core beliefs is that education is at the forefront of helping the community out of poverty. Classes like photography provide new ways of learning while also giving kids a chance to learn skills they can use later in life.
Nutrition
The nutrition program wrapped up its last visit to the Urban Ventures farm this week, picking vegetables as the weather gets colder, then moved into the kitchen, where kids got to cook and try a variety of foods. The indoor curriculum focuses on culinary skills, including knife skills, measuring, reading recipes, and being exposed to new foods. Farm & Nutrition Education Assistant, Julia Otten, believes that the farm builds strong bonds and brings families together, as many participants’ parents are Urban Ventures community gardeners and stay for many years.
“We’re able to be more of a mentor figure for them rather than an academic figure,” Julia said. “These things and community building activities are beneficial and we’re in a good context to continue building these relationships”
Julia loves that the nutrition class is somewhere where seeds are planted, both literally and figuratively. Kids grow plants, but they also get to grow in their knowledge of farming, gardening, cooking, and healthy eating. They can use vegetables and produce from the garden as they make meals. The hands-on work gives students the chance to practice and learn tactile and physical skills that the classroom doesn’t always offer.
Athletics
Lastly, Coach Aaron runs the Athletics class where kids get to try out “sports of all sorts” and grow their skills through clinics and drills. Especially in the winter months, having a bright, open space for running and play is important.
Instead of being couped up at home, kids are out here playing, learning cooperation and teamwork, and burning off energy. Even if it is cold or rainy outside, they can enjoy a big space in our gym. It’s great to see the kids hit the gym and take off running.
Whether they’re making music, looking through a camera lens, cooking a meal, or running across the gym, kids at Hub Club are finding new ways to learn and build community. Each session offers a chance to build different skills, grow friendships, and discover their gifts and talents.