In this issue, you'll read:
Support Our Students Faces Proposed Elimination
Recent After School Field Trip is a 'Hit'
Summer Time at WYN
Project Venture is Climbing to New Heights
The Grizzly- Biking for a Cause
WYN Wisdom
Join Us

Support Our Students Faces Proposed Elimination

A recently released budget proposal seeks to dissolve funding for Support Our Students (SOS) programs, putting nearly 100 after-school programs in North Carolina in danger of elimination. Governor Perdue's proposal, if passed, could cause WYN's After School Program to face very challenging times.

WYN provides the only organized middle school after-school program in Watauga County, making Perdue's proposal particularly important for Watauga County's youth. In 2008, WYN's After School Program served 133 participants.

Of those 133 participants, 50% of youth improved their math grades; 59% of youth improved their reading grades; 52% of youth improved class behaviors; 100% of youth stayed in school and met minimum attendance requirements; and 92% of youth had no court involvement or re-involvement for delinquent status offenses.

WYN has been serving youth in the community for more than 20 years, giving them opportunities they may not have otherwise. WYN's After School Program focuses on teaching, tutoring, developing life skills, providing opportunities to lead, and giving kids a chance to enhance their quality of life. Through help with homework, outdoor adventures, service projects and field trips, WYN provides unique experiences for after school participants.

Here's what you can do to help save this crucial funding stream:
1. Write a letter to your representatives expressing your concern over the proposed elimination of the grant. If you need a sample letter or the addresses of your representative, contact us or reply to this newsletter email.
2. Contact representatives on the sub-committee handling this portion of the budget. For these names, visit: http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/Committees/Committees.asp?sAction=ViewCommittee&sActionDetails=House Standing_11
3. Visit other advocacy sites dedicated to helping save SOS:
http://sososnc.wordpress.com/success-stories/
http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyTakeAction.cfm
http://www.nccap.net/effective/articles.cfm

Recent After School Field Trip is a 'Hit'

WYN's After School Program recently visited Appalachian State's Baseball team to watch the Mountaineers take on the Georgia Southern Eagles.

Thanks to complimentary tickets from ASU's Athletic Department, over 30 of our After School participants, from both our East and West sites, were able to spend an afternoon watching local athletes compete in America's favorite game.

Between innings there was a hotdog eating contest between upcoming candidates for ASU's Student Government and a dizzy bat race where Yosef, ASU's mascot, and Conrad the Crawdad spun themselves into a frenzy. The kids were able to spend some time with Yosef and take pictures. For some, this was the first time seeing any type of ASU athletic event.

Though the Mountaineers took a 7-12 loss to the Eagles, WYN still counts this day as a 'wyn' for after school participants!

To see pictures from this event visit: http://westernyouthnetwork.org/photos/albums.php

Summer Time at WYN

The Summer Program at WYN is a 6-week day camp that implements outdoor adventures, experiential education, service learning projects and team building to strengthen self awareness, leadership and social skills.

Join us for Summer Life 2009:
June 15th-July 23rd, Monday- Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed July 6th-July 10th)
**Rising 6th-9th grade only

NON- WYN PARTICIPANTS REGISTRATION BEGINS MAY 18TH

Project Venture is Climbing to New Heights

Project Venture, WYN's research based experiential program recently joined forces with local non-profit, Mountain Alliance and took 8 students on an outdoor adventure.

Deep in the Pisgah National Forest, WYN's Project Venture participants found themselves dangling from ropes and climbing the cliffs of Little Lost Cove. Little Lost Cove Cliffs reach a staggering 3,225 feet above sea level.

The chilly rocks created a challenge for most, though the reward of warm camp fire made all the difference. After a day of climbing, the group settled in for a night of camping under the stars. This was the first time most of the students had ever been rock climbing or camping.

To view a full photo album from this event please visit: http://westernyouthnetwork.org/photos/albums.php

The Grizzly- Biking for a Cause

Mark your calendars for Friday, July 10th, 2009 and be a part of our annual bike race fundraiser, The Grizzly.

The Grizzly ride is endorsed by the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and is taking place between two running events- The Bear Road Race on Thursday, July 9th & The Grandfather Mountain Marathon, Saturday, July 11th.

The Grizzly ride will begin in Linville and end on the track at Grandfather Mountain. The Grizzly is a beautiful and challenging route with 7000 feet of climbing in 65 miles,including 2 miles of dirt road up the backside of Beech Mountain. With an 8:00am start and a 3:00pm shutdown, you will need to be able to finish the race in 7 hours. Both you and your bike should be in great shape to complete the Grizzly!!

The first three male and female riders will receive awards from the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. An award will also be presented to the first male and female who complete all three events: The Bear, The Grizzly, and The Grandfather Mountain Marathon.

For registration and waiver forms please see:
http://www.westernyouthnetwork.org/files/Grizzly2009.pdf
http://www.westernyouthnetwork.org/files/grizzlywaiver

WYN Wisdom

"The greatest gift you can give your child is yourself. This means that part of your work as a parent is to keep growing in self-knowledge and awareness. We only have right now. Let us use it to its best advantage, for our children's sake, and for our own."

Excerpt taken from, "Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting"

Join Us

Donate
Being a young person is something that each and every one of us understands. To help WYN help this generation of young people, we need your assistance. To make a tax-deductible donation to WYN, visit our website at www.westernyouthnetwork.org and use PayPal, or mail your check to: 155 WYN Way, Boone, NC 28607.

Goodsearch
If you frequently conduct internet searches (most of us do), please consider using GoodSearch. This search engine works just like Google, and it pays WYN 1 penny for each search you conduct. Visit www.goodsearch.com and type in "Western Youth Network" in the "Who do you search for" box. These pennies add up quickly!

Mentor
Help shape the life of a young person and enhance your own at the same time by becoming a mentor. The commitment is only 2 hours a week and it literally makes a lifetime of difference. Contact Angela McMann at mcmanna@westernyouthnetwork.org to find our more.