OST Network: March Meeting Recap

It was great to catch up with all of you who made it to our March joint OST Network Convening. During our time together, we discussed summer programming. In breakout groups, we started to think about how we could support students and families during their transition into summer programs. Providers had a chance to share their summer program pitches and talk about staff recruitment and available job opportunities. We also shared information about the upcoming workshops for 5th graders and upper school students, where summer program providers and school staff will be on hand to answer questions about available opportunities and help students sign up for summer programming.

Check out our meeting slides if you weren’t able to join us and see below for our Community Announcements.

Community Announcements

Sean Effel - Cambridge Camping:
Cambridge Camping is offering two April School vacation week programs for 6-8th graders. Both programs will run from April 17th-21st, 9am-2:30pm, and cost $50 for the full week:

​The Nature program provides an in-person nature program with field trips to many different natural areas around us. Daily field trips and program partners include Northeastern University's Marine Center, the Blue Hills Reservation, and a visit with Navigation Games. The program will run from April 17th-21st, 9am-2:30pm, and costs $50 for the full week. Learn more here! ​

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Get to the Chopper! is Cambridge Camping's STEAM-centered drone flight program to take place over the April Massachusetts school vacation week.  This program introduces children to the science and engineering of drone flight, develops their interests in science and technology, builds friendships with fellow participants, and have a lot of fun along the way. Learn more here! ​

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Sarah Lincoln - Cambridge Public Health Department
The Cambridge Public Health Department will be launching their 2023 Health Promotion Mini-Grant Program on March 7th. The program will award up to $25,000 in total funding to projects that promote healthy eating, physical activity, or youth mental health.

$2,000 mini-grants are available for projects that promote mental health and wellness in oCambridge youth, with a focus on youth age 12-18. Up to six projects will be funded.

To learn more about the mini-grants and how you can apply, contact Sarah Lincoln at salincoln@cambridgepublichealth.org.

Emily Meyer - Cambridge Public Library
March Teen Poetry Contest
Teen Poetry Contest running from 3/1-3/26 with $100 visa gift card for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. Must be one page, in English, and dropped off at the Teen Room or emailed to ptrunnell@cambridgema.gov

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CSV CPL Free Drop-in Tutoring
Need help with a class? Have a question before an exam? Tutors are available to help you! Cambridge School Volunteers and the Cambridge Public Library are pleased to offer tutoring services in the Teen Room of the Main Library from 5-6pm on Wednesdays.

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Sarah Winter - Community Art Center
Kickflipped: Teen Art Auction
To benefit local teens and raise money for The Lynch Family Skatepark Public Art Project
The Community Art Center (CAC) and The Charles River Conservancy (CRC) have teamed up to present Kickflipped: An Exhibition and Auction of Skateboard Art by Local Teens, on view at The Foundry (101 Rogers St. Cambridge, MA) from Feb. 16 - Mar. 21. Over the course of 5 weeks, teens in CAC's Teen Public Art Program have been working hard to create one-of-kind works of art on upcycled skateboards. Through the program, they have learned various art techniques, how to develop a concept to express their unique voice, and how to properly install an art exhibition. There will be a closing reception on Mar. 21, 5-7pm, which will coincide with the auction's closing.

A portion of each item's proceeds will go directly to the teen artist, while another portion will help support The Lynch Family Skatepark Public Art Project. Visit here to learn more!