For many people, the holiday season is a time of increased sharing and volunteering. At Boulder Creek Academy, though, the spirit of giving continues throughout the entire year in the form of community service. BCA's practice of integrating community service projects into the school's curriculum and program activities results in numerous benefits for both the school and the Bonners Ferry community as a whole. Some of BCA's most recent volunteer efforts include:
Eagle Scout Leadership Project:
BCA senior, A.J., recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout through the national Boy Scouts Lone Scout program. This achievement required that A.J. choose a project that would be helpful to any school, organization, or community, and would leave a lasting legacy. After much research, A.J. opted to construct honeybee hives to be implemented into Boulder Creek's farm program. In the spring, he built and painted two hives, populated them with mail-order honeybee colonies, and tended them throughout the summer.
"This project required me to take a leadership role and also allowed me to expand my knowledge of horticulture, something that I'm passionate about," A.J. commented.
His hard work was rewarded when he was notified by a scouting review board recently that he had achieved the coveted Eagle Scout rank.
Habitat for Humanity:
Each week, a group of students volunteer their time to work on a variety of construction tasks on a Habitat for Humanity house building project in Bonners Ferry. Most of their work has concentrated on building the outside deck, including the railing and steps. The leader of the group, math teacher Paul Greenhalgh, reports that, "Not only do students learn by utilizing 'real math' applications; they enjoy the satisfaction that comes from helping a local family build their own house."
Community Kitchen:
On Thursdays, a group of eligible students prepare and serve a free lunch from 11:30 to 1:00 pm to community residents at the United Methodist Church. Both the students and the diners enjoy eating a meal together and getting to know one another.
Phyllis Foust, coordinator of the weekly lunch says, "This meal is a combination of efforts between the school kitchen staff who do much of the food prep, and the students who transport, finish prep, and serve the lunch to the diners." She also reminds us that the lunch is open to anyone in the community.
Local Sports:
Six BCA students donated their time to referee soccer games for the local youth league during this year's fall season. The Academy students enjoyed working with the teams and the soccer coaches expressed appreciation for their involvement.
BCA Dean of Education, Brent Dehlbom said, "Some of the league coaches came and thanked me for the good job that our students did. They said that they especially enjoyed watching our student referees improve their skills as the season progressed."
Another student is currently preparing to coach a Valley View basketball team for the winter season's PTO league.
Firewood Donations:
During the summer and fall, Farm and Phase Manager Charles Solomon directed a group of students in a firewood donation effort. This group cut, split, and delivered three cords of wood to meet the winter heating needs of two local widows.
Animal Shelter:
Weekly, students assist the Panhandle Animal shelter in Ponderay by volunteering to walk the dogs there.
Winter Activities:
Led by teacher, Claude Bisson, Boulder Creek students recently put up all the Christmas lights in downtown Bonners Ferry. BCA staff has also developed a plan in which students will be shoveling snow on an "as-needed basis" throughout the winter for elderly and disabled county residents.
Boulder Creek Academy teachers, clinicians, and program staff all attest to the value that community service projects add to each student's school experience. Through volunteering, the students can learn new skills or put into practice abilities and interests that they already possess. They learn to turn their focus outside of themselves and gain self-esteem from helping others. Moreover, some of the volunteer work that they participate in can be partnered with their academic lessons, creating a true "win-win" situation for all involved.
Brent Dehlbom is pleased to observe the positive results that stem from the school's service projects. He adds, "I couldn't be more proud of the amazing work that our kids our doing in our community."
BCA is always looking for service opportunities within the community. If anyone has a specific need, or idea for a project please feel free to contact Laura Taylor, Registrar, at 267-7522 during business hours.