For the competition and team-
building skills of athletics with a
STEM twist, many local schools also
offer FIRST Robotics clubs starting
as young as kindergarten. FIRST —
For Inspiration and Recognition of
ms Science and Technology — designs
- accessible, innovative programs
ed that build science and technol-
d ogy skills and interest through fun
challenges. More on the program
d can be found at www.firstinspires.
n, org/#parents or contact your child’s
school to find out if it offers a FIRST
program.
If your child would prefer some-
t
thing on a more individual basis,
many libraries offer age-based book
d
clubs, arts classes and story times.
irls. In the past, libraries have offered
kids clubs from LEGO to Harry Pot-
ter, if the community has an inter-
eed
October 2019 - EASTERN OREGON PARENT - 13
es
re
en
s
de-
s, a
ility,
ch
gh
to
ys.
nd
eir
n
Cub
an
at
est. If your child is passionate about
or interested in an activity, it might
be worth asking your local library to
consider offering one.
Other local resources include city
parks and recreation departments,
which offer seasonal programs, and
arts centers, including the Pendle-
ton Center for the Arts and Oregon
East in La Grande, which offer vari-
ous classes, clubs and programs.
Arts, music and dance organiza-
tions, which vary by community,
can offer creative outlets while
teaching patience and control, and
theater programs — that may take
children as young as 5 or 6 — can
give children the opportunity to
take center stage while also learn-
ing about their own identities.
If you still aren’t sure what your
child might thrive in, do a trial run.
Most of the clubs and organizations
here will give children a test period
to try out the activities and see if
they’re a good fit. What your child
thrives in might surprise you.
________
Jennifer Colton is news director of
KOHU and KQFM, and mother of
three, based in Pendleton.