Crim Open Campus and Burgess-Peterson Academy Collaborate for Generation-to-Generation Event

Students from Crim Open Campus, children from Crim’s day care, and 4^th graders from Burgess-Peterson Academy participated in a Generation-to-Generation event with Coan Park senior citizens. On Friday, December 14, 2012, students and senior citizens experienced a day full of great memories and fun activities that focused on health and wellness, construction, graphic arts, and culinary arts.

The Generation-to-Generation program celebrated the holiday season with a wide generation range including children, youth, and senior citizens.  In preparation for the program, the students decorated Crim into a winter wonderland for their guests. On Friday morning, the students and seniors began the day by stretching in the gym and walking around the track. SiMan Baby from Majic 107.5 hosted the health and wellness session and pumped up the group by teaching them “The Wobble,” a popular line dance.

The participants collaborated with Crim’s construction class by creating holiday ornaments, and decorated cupcakes with the culinary arts students. The students created a project in the engineering lab by designing a dorm room through the graphic arts program. The senior citizens assisted them with their projects and learned the software together. It was a great opportunity for them to share and learn from each other through crafts, games, and activities. In the afternoon, Chef Alford and Crim’s culinary arts students prepared a special cuisine for the senior citizens and a catered lunch for the students.

All seniors and students received individual gifts in celebration of the holiday season. The gifts were provided by local organizations and three bicycles were also donated and auctioned off to the students. Morehouse College generously donated books for the seniors to start a library.  Students of different ages participated in a special day of service, but also gained a wonderful experience for themselves.

“The children had a great time and are already asking if they can go back,” says Ms. Robin Robbins, Principal at Burgess-Peterson Academy.

 “The Crim students were really able to make a difference for others during the holiday season, and gained a lot from this service-learning experience,” says Dr. Lateshia Woodley, School Improvement Specialist at Crim Open Campus.