News Photo by Reagan Voetberg The middle and high school group posed for a silly photo on Thursday. It was the last day of a three week summer program funded through a grant from Inspiration Alcona.

ALPENA — A free summer program has provided kids in Alcona the opportunity to explore local attractions, create art projects, and learn in a fun way.

Alcona Community Schools partnered with Inspiration Alcona to bring a summer learning experience to students. The program is free for kids to participate in, as it is completely grant funded. Kids get free breakfast as well as a grab-and-go lunch.

The grant comes from Michigan out-of-school programming through the Michigan Department of Education, Alcona Superintendent Dan O’Connor said.

The program lasts three weeks, and there will be two sections this summer, O’Connor said.

Thursday was the last day of the first three-week program. There were 50 to 60 kids participating, which included approximately 30 to 40 kindergarten through fifth graders and 20 sixth through 12th graders.

Most participants were in kindergarten through second grade.

The program runs Monday to Thursday over the course of the three weeks. The kids are able to experience outdoor education, local history, science-based opportunities, and even go on a few field trips. Transportation is included in the grant, O’Connor said.

“This summer, our Elementary Summer Program was packed with exciting activities that gave students opportunities to explore, learn, and have fun outside the classroom,” lead instructor Tammy Nelson said in an email. “The children went on a trip to Cedar Panning, where they searched for treasures and experienced the thrill of discovery. At Rockport, they explored the world of fossils, and back at school, Mrs. Schroeder helped them wash and identify their findings.”

“One of the highlights was a sweet science lesson on cotton candy at the Alpena (County) Library where students not only learned how it’s made but also got to enjoy a tasty sample,” she continued. “We also had a blast bowling at Thunder Bowl Lanes in Alpena, spent a fun-filled day at Cedar Valley’s Wild Frontier Fun Park, and another day at Lake Theatre in Oscoda making this a summer to remember for all!”

“On the days we stayed at school, the students enjoyed spending time with Ms. Autumn and her helper, Ms. Michelle, learning about art and proudly showcasing their creative projects,” Nelson stated. “Ms. Nelson, Ms. Elmer, and Ms. Thomas led exciting days filled with reading books, playing gaga ball, parachute activities, scavenger hunts, and many other engaging games.”

Instructors Jessi Stewart and Donna Franklin led the middle and high school group. Stewart is a sixth grade English and social studies teacher at Alcona during the school year. She also does reading intervention. Franklin is a sixth grade math teacher and does math intervention.

Les Thomas, a prevention specialist from Up North Prevention, also helped out with the group. He works with Alcona students to give them coping and resistance skills to prevent substance abuse. Thomas said he helped plan the field trips and activities.

The middle and high school group did some of the same activities as the elementary group. They went to Cedar Panning, where they panned dirt, rocks, and crystals.

Franklin said that the kids loved it so much, some of them went with their families again that same night.

They were scheduled to have a field trip Thursday, but the rain changed their plans. The kids were watching “Lilo & Stitch” in the auditorium at Alcona High School.

Some of the other field trips the kids went on were to Huron-Manistee National Forests Lumberman’s Monument in Oscoda, laser tag in Alpena, and Harrisville State Park.

They also did plenty of activities including learning to make pizza and ice cream. The kids did crafts like rock painting, making pictures out of nature, and making bird houses.

Stewart and Franklin agreed that it was nice to see students outside of the classroom. They were able to build a different kind of relationship with them and see their artistic side.

They also saw bonds form across grade levels.

One of those bonds formed between seventh grader Lilly Schroeder and sophomore Alyssa Buchmann. They didn’t know each other before, but now they’re friends, Schroeder said.

Buchmann said she liked it all, but mentioned that the beach was really fun. Schroeder said she liked playing laser tag and painting the birdhouses. Both talked about enjoying Cedar Panning and the amusement park.

Schroeder described the roller coasters as “aggressive”, with a laugh.

Stewart and Franklin both talked about how great of a group it was.

“The instructors are the glue that makes it go”, O’Connor said. “They developed a cool plan and got tons of interest.”

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.