|
Our
Program
Fields
of Dreams (FoD) was developed to provide children living in
disadvantaged areas of Washington, DC with an outlet to engage
in positive activity during the critical out-of-school time.
We operate in 9 District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) in
Wards 6, 7 and 8, and offer a free after school program and
summer camp.
Fields
of Dreams uses a complementary learning model to reinforce and
enrich what happens during the school day. According the
Harvard Family Research Project, educators, policymakers, and
families increasingly agree: Schools cannot do it alone.
Children need multiple opportunities to learn and grow—at
home, in school, and in the community. Complementary learning
is a comprehensive strategy for addressing all of these needs
and ensuring success for all children and youth. Complementary
learning is the idea that a systemic approach—which
intentionally integrates both school and nonschool supports—can
better ensure that all children have the skills they need to
succeed.
For
all programs, time is spent equally on academic and
nonacademic activities. The classes during the academic
portion of the day are math and science, reading and values,
arts and crafts, and health and nutrition and primarily focus
on reinforcing what has already been taught.
Values
lessons are taught with the use of Jackie’s Nine, a value
based curriculum founded by Jackie Robinson that teaches
lessons to live by through readings on courage, determination,
teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice,
commitment, and excellence.
The
baseball portion of the day is spent on the field. Students
receive daily baseball instruction on developing and improving
basic baseball skills, learning game fundamentals,
sportsmanship, cooperation, teamwork, and effective listening.
Since spring allows for more time, we use the additional six
weeks to play league games.
Since
the program's inception in 2002, FoD has revitalized eight
dilapidated baseball fields in our children’s communities,
we have provided first-rate quality uniforms and baseball
equipment to all of our children, we have successfully
developed partnerships with 9 DCPS schools, we have introduced
organized baseball to inner city, elementary school age youth, and
have grown from three elementary schools to six elementary
schools and three middle schools.
We
offer our programs for six weeks during the fall, twelve weeks
during the spring, and six weeks during the summer. Since
2002, the program has served over 1,200 students.
|
