Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, which is committed to promoting physical and hands-on activities while fostering an inclusive environment for children, is introducing Recess Club in elementary schools across the Carpinteria Valley.
Recess Club’s mission is to create a secure and welcoming haven for students during school recess, providing engaging and interactive activities to enhance enrichment opportunities, teamwork, and social connections.
Guided by trained staff, Recess Club places emphasis on encouraging wholesome play, facilitating social interactions, and nurturing a sense of belonging among all students.
Recent research has shown a decrease in recess time at elementary schools. Girls Inc. is dedicated to addressing this gap and ensuring students receive a well-rounded education that includes healthy socialization, mental enrichment, and physical education.
Lei Taro, athletic coordinator and Recess Club facilitator, leads the organization’s STRONG efforts on campus. STRONG aims to inspire youth to develop an interest in health and wellness by integrating physical activity, nutrition, and a healthy living curriculum to engage the mind, body, and soul.
“With Girls Inc. as a partner and a familiar presence on the playground, structured outdoor activities during recess provide less active children with a safe and enjoyable environment to explore new interests,” Taro said.
“It’s been fantastic to see both boys and girls playing together and inviting other friends to join in on the fun,” Taro said.
Recess Club by Girls Inc. also serves as a platform to cultivate a lasting passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among youth by offering engaging enrichment activities during recess.
Hands-on and interactive STEM sessions are designed to be age-appropriate, providing relevant information to extend learning beyond the classroom. Youth are presented with enjoyable and stress-free opportunities to explore and develop their innate talents in subjects such as science and technology.
“Getting early, hands-on learning experiences in STEM can be revolutionary for kids,” said Stevi Pell, STEM and Eureka! program coordinator.
“To be encouraged to build, create, examine, learn about, and change the world around them is incredibly empowering, and having a space to unabashedly try out STEM activities can ignite and inspire a lifelong passion,” Pell said.
“We encourage kids to try and fail, examine their attempts, and try again. This builds children’s resilience and confidence in themselves and their abilities.”
“In alignment with our strategic plan to support the youth of Carpinteria, Recess Club was developed to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for students during school recess, recognizing that many challenges often arise on the playground,” said Jamie Collins, executive director.
“We offer structured activities to actively engage young learners in fostering new and positive social interactions and creating a sense of togetherness,” Collins said.
For more about Girls Inc. of Carpinteria or Recess Club, call 805-684-6364 or visit www.girlsinc-carp.org.