# [Partners #18- Our Children]{.underline}

Island Academy

Lois Sanders -- University of the Virgin Islands

*At Henderson, we focus more on hands-on activities probably because of
the age of the young people. They are 5-14.*

Narrator

Here in the US Virgin Islands, an innovative 4-H youth program called
the Summer Academy is in full swing. It offers the children of this
American territory important knowledge, but in an entertaining way.

Lois Sanders

*We wanted to take advantage of every opportunity to enhance the
educational experience for young people in the territory. We know that
they get academic subjects throughout the year. But we wanted to make
sure that they didn't loose any ground that they gained during the
year.*

counselor

*Come on. Work together guys. Work together. Watch out for the pillar!*

Narrator

Junior counselors lead many of the activities like this obstacle course.
The program offers these college students summer jobs and an opportunity
to contribute to the curriculum.

Jamaar Hosier - counselor

*I wanted this to portray the obstacle of life. I wanted them to hold on
to this piece of string and realize that there are little goals. I
wanted that to push them on -- that little string to carry them all the
way back to the classroom.*

*I hope that they will follow their goals, and even though there may be
obstacles in life, that they should still carry on and push and keep
that will that they have inside.*

Narrator

Blending fun and education is key at the Summer Academy. Here, ice cream
making mixes enjoyment with chemistry. Kids learn the balance of rock
salt and ice, and the physics of temperature and agitation. Students
also have fun in the dirt while learning how to grow plants. And at the
raucous Mini Society, the goal is to develop entrepreneurship on an
island where over three out of four that do work, work for the
government.

Student Auctioneer

*Going once. Going twice. Sold!*

Narrator

This auction teaches the value of the dollar, supply & demand, and how
to bid. St. Croix is the largest of the US Virgin Islands, located just
east of Puerto Rico. For centuries, agriculture drove the island's
economy. Today, beyond the government jobs, the HOVENSA Refinery hires
many Cruzans, as the residents of St. Croix call themselves. And there's
some opportunity in tourism. Still, unemployment is a major concern. It
often reaches double digits. And the youth here have challenges of their
own - much like their mainland counterparts.

Lois Sanders

*They face the same problems that kids face everywhere - the influence
of illegal drugs, the high divorce rate, single parent families, the
difficulty of raising multiple kids -- those kinds of things.*

Narrator

One part of the Summer Academy that helps kids through those difficult
times is the Young Scholars Program. Held at the University of the
Virgin Islands' St. Croix campus, it is aimed at youth ages 11-14. And
today is special as they embark on an adventure...

This is Estate Mount Washington- a historic sugar plantation established
in 1750. The Young Scholars meet their guide for the day, Olasee Davis.
Mr. Davis is a forest & ecology Extension specialist from the
university.

Olasee Davis -- University of the Virgin Islands

*Commercially, they use...*

Narrator

This field trip gives the students a chance to touch & experience the
natural world of St. Croix.

Lois Sanders

*Without USDA funding, the opportunities... would not occur. We just
don't have that level of resource here in the territory to do those
kinds of enriching programs. They have a lot of potential- a lot of
really smart, young people. And with the right support and the right
resources, they'll be fine*

Students sing 4-H song

Narrator

Back at the Alexander Henderson School, it's Farm Safety Day. And after
the group concludes the 4-H song, they join the fun. Face painting
reinforces important safety symbols. There are demonstrations in CPR.

Instructor

*He's not breathing.*

Teacher to class

*It affects the home. It affects the community.*

Narrator

Information about drug use is offered. Boating safety is also taught.
One of the favorites is a tour of the Haz-Mat truck, part of the
island's emergency preparedness efforts.

Lois Sanders

*It's a matter of widening their vision. A child can not exceed his
thinking or her thinking. And so what we try to do is expose them to the
idea that 'whatever you want to be-whatever you want to do- if you work
hard enough you can achieve it.' And that's kind of our underlying
mantra for our summer academy.*

*Each summer, we try to do something different. Last year, we offered a
video production class which was very well received. This year, we
decided to offer steel pan.*

Steel pan band plays

Lois Sanders

*We offer things that they routinely would not get in school-because of
time, because of resources.* *I think there's a bright future for the
children here.*

*We are growing leaders. And the 4-H program does make a world of
difference.*