all-day workshop, 2.25.08

I came away from this first workshop feeling that one of our top priorities should be figuring out how to inspire the children to be truly interested in the participatory process we are trying to promote.  Many of the children seemed more interested in taking random pictures and not having to be in class than in actually taking an interest in the reason they were taking the pictures.  However, as this is understandable due to their age, I think we need put an emphasis on really getting the kids excited about what we are trying to do.  I think that one way to do this might be to give kids a look into how influential and important their ideas can be (realistically, of course).  Another idea that we might want to try would be to give the kids an idea of exactly what kind of activities we would be participating in in the after school program.  If we have ideas that are appealing to them, they will be more likely to not only get involved, but be excited about their involvement.

As for the workshop itself, there were a few things that the children seemed to consistently agree on.  Every child loved the big rock, and when asked what their favorite outdoor characteristic of Casey was, the general consensus seemed to be the rock.  Kids liked that they could climb on it, jump off of it, not to mention the distinctive touch that it gives to Casey's surrounding site.  Another thing the kids liked was the open field and basketball courts.  These places provide kids with a place to play a variety of sports, and also open places just to run, or congregate.  However, in contrast to wanting open space, almost all of the children expressed a desire for natural shade.  To me this indicates a need for a balance between the two.  Overall, while the children were responsive about what they liked and didn't like, they were unspecific about the distinctive Casey characteristics (minus the big rock). In response to this I think that we need to form more personal relationships with the children in order to get more in depth responses and suggestions from them.

Alyssa