HONOR -- A din of rhythm crashed out of the open classroom door at Platte River Elementary School.
More than a dozen students sat in a circle, banging, scraping, pounding and shaking an assortment of percussion instruments. This is the sound of students who aren't bored after school. The ones who, at least on Wednesdays when the 4-H Instead Club meets, aren't zoned out in front of a television.
The after-school program aims to give fifth- and sixth-graders something to do "instead" of lounging or making mischief.
". ... It's fun to do instead of doing your homework, sitting around and playing on the computer," said Marcy Fries, 10, a fifth-grade student at Platte River in Honor.
The club also is for those kids who don't participate in other activities such as sports, said Sabra Danford, who organizes the program through the Benzie County Michigan State University Extension Service. Danford works with the extension through the AmeriCorps VISTA program.
About 30 students are enrolled in the club, which gathers weekly during the school year for a couple of hours after school. Kids enjoy a healthful snack and go on hiking and swimming field trips, work on crafts or, during one recent club session, beat out rhythms in a drum circle.
"They are really positive about the program. They all choose to be here. ..; they don't have to be here," Danford said.
Funding for the program comes from various agencies and grants. Students are asked to pay a $10 4-H fee at the beginning of the year, but other ways can be found to cover the cost if a student cannot afford it, Danford said.
In addition to fun events and games, she also plans regular service projects such as making fleece blankets for a baby pantry.
If Marcy weren't with clubmates on Wednesdays, she "would probably be at home laying in bed," she said.
Stephanie Loveland, 10, said the other kids are funny, friendly and nice. Majida Halaweh, also 10, is in her first year at the school and made some new pals through the club.
"There's not much else to do after school," Majida said.
An easy camaraderie flowed among club members.
They joked around and talked animatedly. Many dressed in jeans or shorts and T-shirts and sneakers.
The students appeared excited to hear what Danford has planned for the afternoon.
A game that involved a blindfolded student and the ability to make various animal noises drew squeals of delight from the eager students.
Later, when it's time to play together in a drum circle, the students rushed to grab a drum.
One of Danford's goals is to introduce the children to "new things."
"It's like the best job I ever had. We get to do such fun (stuff) with them," she said.
Some students said they know what the alternative is to the Instead Club.
"I'd go home and be bored," Majida said.
Print this story
E-mail this story
