The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - At 4:30 p.m. on a wet and windy Thursday afternoon, about a dozen students -from Kin- dergarten through 8th Grade -- are warm and cozy at The Cardinal's Nest, engaged in constructive pursuits as they await the arrival of their par- ents. The Nest - Waitsburg's after-school program - is not only a sanctuary for students, but provides employment to area residents as well.

The program began in 2003 when Executive Direc- tor Kathy Carpenter applied for and received a five-year grant to start a 21st Century Community Learning Center, as part of the No Child Left Behind Act. Carpenter, assisted by Hilary Hogan (Ahmann), started the fullyfunded program in January 2004. "We didn't really know what we were doing," said Carpenter. "We just went for it!"

The program quickly gained momentum, and it was not unusual to have up to 65 students after school each day.

"A lot of the kids had parents at home, but because it was free, they preferred to come to the program," said Carpenter. "They could do homework, participate in activities and play with their friends."

As the initial five-year grant came to an end, it became necessary to charge for the program. Today, grants from the Blue Mountain Community Foundation, Northwest Grain Growers and the Waitsburg Lions allow The Nest to provide care on a sliding fee scale. To simplify paperwork Car- penter bases the scale on lunch program guidelines. Students who receive free lunch may attend for $12 per week, those receiving re- duced lunches attend for $20 per week, and the regular fee is $30 per week. Drop-ins may make arrangements to attend for $5 an hour.

The District allows the use of the school build- ing, which helps keep costs down. The Cardinal's Nest shares a room used by the speech therapist and school counselor. Students often split into groups and make use of the multi-purpose room, playground and library as well. Average at- tendance runs from 17 to 19 students, with as many as 24.

Carpenter feels the wide age range is a benefit. "The older kids have used the same curriculum and it's easy for them to help the younger kids with their homework," she said.

And homework is a big deal at The Nest. "We re- ally focus on taking care of 'homework wars' so the parents don't have to," said Carpenter. She also meets with parents and teachers to determine if there are any concerns and how they can best help individual stu- dents. Often, that translates into extra reading or playing math games.

"You won't find any video games here," said Carpenter. Instead students work together on a craft project, a science activity or they play games. "You'd be surprised how many of the kids enjoy chess. Even the kindergartners know how to play!" she said.

The Cardinal's Nest Board, made up of Carpenter, Maria Garcia, Cindy Philbrook and Pam Beasley, work together to plan ac- tivities and make financial decisions.

When a Times reporter recently visited, several boys were working at a table with Barclay Donohue, making vehicles from Lego Robotics - taking them for test spins - then returning to make adjustments. A few students were trying on medieval garments that Carpenter, a member of a group that re-enacts medieval life, had brought in. Still others were making and testing the attributes of different styles of paper airplanes.

In addition to provid- ing a safe and constructive environment for students, the Cardinal's Nest provides employment opportunities. Waitsburg resident Tammy Bowman has been with the program for five years and loves "working with the kids". Donohue, a first-year assistant, is finishing his senior year in high school through WWCC's Alterna- tive Education Program.

The Cardinal's Nest is open Monday through Thursday from 2:40 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information contact Waitsburg Elemen- tary School at 509-337-6461 or email Kathy Carpenter at kcarpenter@waitsburgsd.org.