Sharing, Playing, & Learning Makes For A “Fun Day”: By Mary Murray

     Sometimes it’s the little things we take for granted – learning how to tie square-knots as a kid, dabbling with paints and ink stamps, stringing beautiful beads into a necklace or bracelet. These activities, or hobbies if you will, can lead to a lifelong passion for creating, and sometimes, to a business where others pay for crafts or products.

     Artisans are a pretty happy lot, eager to create, flex their artistic muscle and push themselves to new heights. They are driven to share their creations whether it be something as simple as a knitted cap or something more complex as a carved duck decoy.

     A hobby doesn’t necessary need to be an income-producing activity. Learning to play solitaire can keep one entertained, fine tune math and counting skills, develop a competitive spirit, and reduce the time spent in front of the phone, computer or television.

     That was precisely the goal of Hobby Day, launched this year by Goodwill’s Workforce Development team in Erie through its program, Project Youth Experience Success. The staff took Hobby Day on the road to Corry Area High School and the Erie County Technical School. Hobby Day, or, “Fun Day,” as one student called it, did just that -- exposed students to fun activities that could perhaps spark an interest in a lifelong pursuit to call their own.

     And fun is what the 60 plus students had as they made their way around to 20 different tables to experience – often for the first time -- how to macramé, learning a guitar cord, or stamping cards with a rainbow of iridescent ink. Still others learned to crochet while a few brave students dug their hands into dense clay to shape a small bowl or wall plaque.

      Hobby Day was loud and boisterous  –  just as it was designed to be.  Guitar strumming in one corner, a choral of cheers as students putted a golf ball, or those who tried their hand, or feet, at hacky sack.

     One student taught another how  to pay solitaire; another student showed his friend how to play Jenga, a game in which you balance wooden blocks atop one other; still others were drawn to the classic favorite, Legos.

     In another corner, students worked intently on beading, painting and sprinkling glass cups with glitter. Others painted a Christmas ornament and several students made unique dream catchers.

     And like all kids, these students enjoyed digging in the dirt! Workforce Development Program Manager, Hanni Nazario was surrounded by students as she shared her passion for gardening by having students replant hot-pepper starts she had carefully cultivated from seed. Students also could choose from sunflower seeds, catnip, and herbs.

     Teachers in the Life Skills and Learning Support classrooms in Corry heartily endorsed the concept of Hobby Day and were excited to see their students embrace new activities. Meanwhile, Lesa Scalise, transition center instructor at Erie County Technical School, has already met with the Goodwill staff to make plans for next year’s event. Even more important than the endorsement by the teachers, was the joy so evidently on display on the students’ faces. At Goodwill, we can see the value of combining fun and learning to grow our students.