Our Philosophy in Action

Did you know that a Lamborghini can travel 65 miles in 15 minutes? (Yes, we did the math.) Do you know what drifting is? (No, it has nothing to do with the snow or wind this past week.) Do you know what 4K is? Did you know there is a thermostat called a Nest and it can do almost everything in your house? (Well, if you have a 'smart' house.) Do you know what a wheelie bar is and what it does? Did you know that drag racing cars have rear wheel drive and sticky tires? Do you know what Google Glass is? Have you ever heard a ten year old say, “I would like to make a movie from a first person perspective”?

These are just a few facts I have gathered and learned from the two amazing kids I have the privilege to spend my days with. Now, are the factual points important? Probably not, if you are not into cars or technology, but the point is not the WHAT, it is all about the WHY and HOW.

Our conversations have spanned a great deal of information, but the essential and fundamental component of all of those discussions has been the listening. I am not only learning the facts, which are interesting, I am beginning to know these two young men very well. I am figuring out why they are interested in these subjects, how they learn, what lights their fires, and most of all what makes them happy, engaged kids. In the end, that is my job, along with providing the questions and opportunities for all those things to happen. Then I can sit back and cheer them on. And, that makes me happy! I lost count of the number of mental “yes,” accompanied by imaginary arm pumps, I performed this week!

Elwood learns how to use the auto timer on the camera.

Next:

Who knows what next week holds. Some SLU volunteers are coming up with some workshop ideas for the vacation week programming. They have volunteered to put posters and brochures throughout the community, as well. There is also a student who will probably be coming to teach Elwood some German. We are also exploring the opportunity of making a large art piece using old computer parts. Nathan suggested we spell out Deep Root Center with the guts of the computers. Sounds like a plan to me! The mural is also coming along. (I would take a picture of it, but my camera is set to take videos and I don't know how to change it.  Looks like they will be teaching me something else on Monday...)

We are still looking for kids to join our After School Program. Nate and Elwood are eager to show them around.

 Opportunities

As you have probably guessed, our enrollment doubled this week. Nathan joined Elwood and me on Monday. And, yes, he is totally into cars or anything else that has a motor and goes fast. In the three days he was with us, he found his own opportunity at a brand new local garage on Cowan Road, owned by his cousin. He set up a visit on Wednesday and they are thrilled to host Nathan each week, to teach him the ropes.

On Monday, Shelli came in toting several large bags filled with a sewing machine, sweater remnants, fleece, knitting and crotchet needles and a multitude of yarn. Elwood decided to make some mittens. He made the pattern, chose the sweaters, cut them out and sewed them together. His first attempt was too small, so they went back to the drawing board and made a new pattern. His mittens came out great and he decided not to line them. He wore them skating on Tuesday. Meanwhile, MacKenzie started a cowl on circular needles.

helli will join us again on the 17th, the first day of our vacation week programming.

There were three kids on the ice on Tuesday. They are good. Maybe someday, we will have a Deep Root Center hockey team.

Laura came in on Tuesday afternoon with several cameras. Elwood learned about aperture and a whole lot of other cool things. He has to decide what he would like to do with photography and whether he would like to explore film photography.

Thank You!

Thanks for passing this on and spreading the word about all of the awesomeness happening at Deep Root Center.


Like the sign on our door says, Come In, Awesomeness is Happening, or on the back side, Awesomeness is Happening Elsewhere. Please leave us a note.