College students mentor kids

Program encourages interaction, learning between 'buddies'

By Anna Herkamp
Staff Writer

For some, it is an odd sight to see people running around playing tag on the Hello Walk between University Hall and Stewart Center. However, a special program devoted to kids allows Purdue students and elementary school children alike to "be kids."

College Mentors for Kids is a program dedicated to teaching elementary school children about college and how it can benefit their lives. Many of the program's participants are children who would not otherwise have exposure to a university setting.

The children come from Washington Elementary School in Lafayette where each Thursday around 2:30 p.m., a bus takes them from school and drops them off at Purdue. Waiting for the children is a group of mentors known as "big buddies," who will each take a child around to the activities for that day.

The program is structured so the "little buddies" get as much experience as possible on a college campus, said Sarah Gerdom, public relations director for College Mentors.

This year there are three groups of 10 kids from grades one to three. Every week, the staff of college mentors plans the activities for the different groups. Each group visits a different place on campus.

They have been several different places this year, including Mackey Arena, a bowling alley, a fire station and Elliott Hall of Music. The mentors also try to involve the kids in hands-on experiences like computer programs.

Amanda Woodruff and Trevor Bader, both third graders, said their favorite activity was the bowling alley because as Bader put it, "I like to bowl." The mentors try to make activities fun and relevant to the kids, while also giving them experience on a college campus.

However beneficial the program may be to the kids, the mentors also get something out of the program. "It’s a stress reliever," said David Bugert, a senior in the Schools of Engineering. Bugert’s buddy, Katie Seabolt, clung to his side and said she has fun with him.

Jamie Rexing, a sophomore in the School of Liberal Arts, said, "I love it. I get to go home happy after being a little kid for three hours."

After the kids tour and learn about the new place of the week, they sit and write in their journals about what they have learned.

The journal activity serves two purposes, according to Josh Quinn, a senior in the Schools of Engineering. The children have an opportunity to consider what their new experience taught them, and most importantly, it lets them reflect on themselves.

For example, one of the last journal questions is directed toward the children. It asks them to think about themselves and answer the question "How do I feel about me?"

This question is important for many of the children who may have special issues and needs, said Shannon Amato, a sophomore in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences. Their buddy helps them write on paper how they feel. The children analyze their emotions and talk about how they are feeling.

At the end of three hours, the children run around and play games on campus with some of the mentors like Bugert and Quinn.

"The kids are so happy. It makes you realize that everything you’ve got isn’t that big of a deal," said Quinn. "Of all the things I do, this is the one that isn’t a ‘commitment’. Its just fun."

· Those who are interested in joining should visit the Web site, www.cmfkpurdue.org or send e-mail to cmfkpurdue@hotmail.com.

College students mentor kids

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