Who are the Bearcats?
MILO — At Milo Garden Club’s October meeting, members and guests learned all about Bearcats from guest speaker Kim Hamlin. Bearcats is an after-school program for kindergarten to fifth grade students and is named for the Brownville Bears and the Milo Bobcats.
Hamlin explained that the program follows the core values of respect, responsibility, caring, and honesty. She also notes that participants exemplify these values to one another as well as to those they meet on their afternoon outings.
BEARCATS SUPPORT — On behalf of the Bearcats after-school program, Kim Hamlin accepts a donation from Milo Garden Club Treasurer Wendy Bailey at the Club’s October meeting.
Monday through Thursday, program leaders, including SAD 41 physical education teacher Dawn McLaughlin, ed tech Eric Joyner, three high school students as well as Kim Hamlin, lead 55 children on field trips within and around the community. This includes an eagerly anticipated weekly swim at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Brownville and Milo Parent Teacher Organizations, Bearcats can also have fun skating on monthly visits to the Piscataquis County Ice Arena.
Monday’s weekly schedule is a walking trip from Milo Elementary to the Milo Public Library. Tuesday is an opportunity for show and tell. But not anything electronic and no animals. Thursdays are set aside for guest speakers from local businesses or visits to their workplace. Participants have had the opportunity to make pizza at Pat’s Pizza in Milo. They have gone ice fishing and even met search and rescue dogs.
Leaders ensure that time is provided for students who need homework help. Parents, leaders, teachers, and the students, themselves are very proud of their success.
Funded by donations and grants, Bearcats welcomes donations to continue supporting and encouraging youngsters in the SAD 41 community.
If you would like to contribute, please contact McLaughlin at 207-943-2122.