LINCOLN -- The Lincoln Middle School outdoor adventure club received its largest grant to date -- more than $24,000 -- that will help purchase mountain bikes, canoes and add to an indoor climbing wall.
"This is huge," said Ivan Huffmaster, director of Lincoln Outdoor Adventure Club and a middle school science teacher. "This is our largest donation ever."
Dennis Ferguson, community president with Simmons Bank in Rogers, said the Simmons Foundation awards three grants each year in the state based on applications. Lincoln's grant application was chosen for the northwest Arkansas region, Ferguson said.
"This is the largest grant of any we gave in the state this year," Ferguson told middle school students at an assembly to make the announcement.
Stan Karber, middle school assistant principal, thanked him, noting, "We're super excited to get us a list of cool toys to play with."
Huffmaster also pointed out that grants for the Adventure Club not only help those students who are members of the club but also provide equipment that can be used by all middle school students.
Lincoln Outdoor Adventure Club is in its first year and is a joint effort between the city and school. Originally, city, community and school leaders looked at the possibility of opening a Boys and Girls Club in Lincoln but the organization has strict rules on creating and developing a club, including $100,000 to open a club and additional, sustainable money to operate a facility and pay salaries.
As discussions continued, a viable alternative was to start an outdoor adventure club. Huffmaster said about 40 students in fourth-seventh grades are members of the club, which meets after school in the former band room from 3:30-6 p.m. The plan is to eventually open up the outdoor activities to other grades, he said.
Activities for the students include a climbing wall, built by a contractor with volunteer help, ping pong, air hockey, video games, space to throw footballs, a snack bar, P.E. activities "and whatever we come up with," Huffmaster said.
Students pay a $20 one-time fee to help with supplies. Many of the members have parents who work. Huffmaster said one of the goals of the club is to provide a safe place for students to go after school, instead of going home alone. Several high school students work at the Adventure Club and help supervise club members or assist
General News on 02/25/2015