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Category Archives: Youth
Change For Fort Scott Aquatic Center on July 1
Currently the Fort Scott Aquatic Center has a family swim time designated Monday through Friday for 5:30-6:15 p.m. but that is changing.
“We have noticed a rise in families coming to take advantage of that time and are very pleased to see this,” said Kathi Hall the pool manger.
“Effective July 1, 2023, we are changing the time span of family swim to be 5:30 to 7 p.m. ,” she said. “The change just affects the unsupervised patrons who are 17 and under. These patrons can go ahead and exit the facility for the day.”
The pool hours are Monday through Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m., Sunday 1 to 6 p.m. On Monday through Friday the change is the family swim will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. starting July 1.
Pool parties are from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. when scheduled. Cost is $150 per hour.
Pool rates are:
2 years and younger are free.
3-14 years: $2
15 to 62 years: $3
63+years: $2
A single season pool pass is $65, a family of four season pass is $200 and a $25 per person fee for over four family members. Members must reside in the same household.
Children 10 years old and younger must be supervised by someone 14 years and older, at all times..
Assistant pool managers are Brayden Moore, Kayla Hall, Billie Jo Shoemaker, and Dakota Hall.
Alan Cunningham to Perform for Summer Reading on June 20
Alan Cunningham to Perform for Summer Reading on June 20
Musician Alan Cunningham is a long-time favorite performer for the Fort Scott Public
Library’s summer reading program. He will perform on June 20 at 10 a.m. at Memorial Hall.
Alan is an educator who writes and performs his original music with the help of young volunteers from his audience. Learn more about Alan’s work at his website:
https://alancunninghamkidsongs.com
Library performances are free and open to the public. This event is part of the library’s summer reading program. Learn more about and register for the program at:
https://forms.gle/suanVpb2pYH3PwyX8
This performance is made possible by partnerships with Mound City Public Library and USD 234.
Young Enterpreneurs: The Whitson Brothers
This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community.
To recommend a young entrepreneur, send contact information to [email protected]
The Whitson brothers, sons of Maria and Clayton Whitson, are entrepreneurs. The family lives on a farm in rural Garland.
Malachi, age 10, Asher, age 7 and Judah, age 5, all create items to sell, but each has a different product.
The boys, along with their parents, had a booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3.
“The boys had… sold at my parents festival (Shead Family Festival, an annual event) the year before but they really enjoyed the opportunity to sell with other kids and actually learn a little more about how businesses work,” said Maria.
The Whitsons launched a family business called The Journey Home which is an umbrella for their whole family’s creations, including their three young sons, according to their mother, Maria. They have two younger daughters.
Book publishing, art, jewelry, cast iron accessories, homeschooling, foraging, homesteading, disaster prep, herbal remedies, are some of the interests of the family business.
Malachi and Asher went to the Acton Children’s Business Fair in April 2022 and developed a business plan and selected a name for their respective businesses.
Malachi, owner of Made by Malachi, creates jewelry.
“I can sell personalized bacelets, keychains, but mostly make earrings,” he said. “I like creating. I think up ideas then try them out. If they don’t work out, it’s fine, I can use my mistakes to create something else. ”
Business has been good, he said. He has been selling his jewelry at markets, fairs, festivals and at Root Coffee Shop in Pittsburg.
“I started selling three years ago at the Shead Farm Festival, and now sell at different events, he said. ” Larry and Vickie Shead, who open their farm annually in May to visitors, are the brothers’ grandparents.
Asher is an artist.
“I started my business when I was five,” he said. “I get ideas on Facebook, and use an Apple Pencil I Pad (to create on).”
“Mom asked me if I wanted to do a business and I just started drawing,” Asher said.
He also has sold his artwork at the Shead Farm Festival, the Acton Business Fair, Fort Scott Farmers Market and Root Coffee Shop.
He likes what he’s doing.
“It’s easy and fun to draw and I get money,” he said.
Judah received a mini-donut maker for Christmas.
His first selling of his product was at his grandparents Shead Farm Festival last month
At the June 3, 2023 Fort Scott Farmers Market, he was manning his family’s booth at the cash register, with help, and was all smiles.
Second Children’s Business Workshop Coming In September
The boys attended the children’s business workshop in April 2022.
Dacia Clark, with the Small Business Development Center, taught the children about developing a business plan, and other marketing basics, Rachel Carpenter with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team said. The SBDC is housed in the HBCAT office at 104 N. National Avenue.
“Acton Children’s Business Fair provided the curriculum, and HBCAT helped coordinate the efforts,” Carpenter said.
Acton Children’s Business Fair is a culmination of ideas and hard work from great young minds. Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at a one-day marketplace, according to its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/childrensbusinessfairfortscottks?mibextid=LQQJ4d
The kids will have 3-4 meetings discussing the above ideas, culminating in a business fair. In 2022, the group of children totaled 13, and the hope is that will grown for the fall 2023 workshop, according to the Facebook page.
For registration for the fair which is scheduled for September 30 from 8 a.m. to noon: https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/fortscott-ks
Young Entrepreneur Series: Chloe Couchman
This is part of a series on young entrepreneurs in this community.
To nominate a young entrepreneur, send contact information to [email protected]
Chloe Couchman, 9, from Bronson, started her business after her grandma, Diana Cooper, visited her some months back, she said.
“She gave me a pot holder kit and taught me how to do it,” Chloe said.
Since then Chloe has been selling her product by word of mouth.
“She has been at Bronson Ruritan,” said her mother Melanie Couchman. “She and her brother goes with her dad (Tony Couchman) and I to the Ruritan Club. She passed out some free ones and let them know she was selling them.”
“She also let her Grandpa Couchman and her bus driver know,” Melanie said.
Chloe said she likes the creative side of “making her own patterns” of potholders.
In addition, her business booth contains chocolate no-bake cookies to sell, made by Chloe.
“They are my favorite kind,” she said.
Chloe said she had a good day at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3, selling 10 potholders and 11 bags of cookies. Her Mom is pondering a booth herself to sell her baked goods that she creates, and if that happens, Chloe will be selling more of her creations there as well.
It is $5 to set up a booth at Fort Scott Farmers Market, which meets every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. at Skutbitz Plaza, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
For more information on the market:
https://www.facebook.com/fsfma
Lucas Kelley: New Buck Run Recreation Director as of July 1
Lucas Kelley will assume the position of recreation director at Buck Run Community Center on July 1, with the retirement of Tom Robertson. Robertson served for 23 years in the position.
“He has been here since May 1, and will take over on July 1,” Robertson said.
“I feel so fortunate,” Kelley said. “Tom has done wonders with the rec. department, he has made it (the transition) easy on me.”
Kelley, 24, graduated from Houston, MO. high school and attended Fort Scott Community College on a basketball scholarship, where he earned an associate of science degree. He then went to Pittsburg State University where he earned a bachelors degree in exercise science in December 2021.
“All through high school I worked at the rec. department, then at FSCC I was assistant coach for one year and also refereed for some of the rec. programs here,” Kelley said. “I then moved to northwest Arkansas and worked in cardiac rehabilitation for a year, before moving to Fort Scott to take this job.”
He is married to Makayla Kelley.
For Kelley, the best part of this new job is “service, and getting to help people and get them involved through recreations.”
Kelley is working on making sign-up for leagues and payment of fees online, “So they won’t have to come to the building every time they want to sign up for something,” he said. “I’m in the process upgrading the system we have now.”
His community involvement so far has been with the Healthy Bourbon County’s Local Health Equity Team and also enjoys Bingo Nights at Memorial Hall to help support Veterans, he said.
“Fit for the Style Revue” Class Series in Fort Scott
The Southwind Extension District is hosting the “Fit for the Style Revue” series in Fort Scott this summer. Youth from ages 7 to 18 are invited to attend this two-day STEAM Clothing workshop series (even if they are not enrolled in 4-H or the buymanship project). This series will be made up of two interactive lessons that work on accessorizing an outfit and modeling in front of a judge. Youth will be able to put together an outfit with accessories and learn how to present themselves in front of the judge. These sessions will be held in two separate locations on the following dates:
- June 14th from 5 PM to 6:30 PM at Bids and Dibs
- June 21st from 5 PM to 6:30 PM at Fort Scott Community College Bailey Hall
This series is free, but registration is required at https://bit.ly/Southwindstyle. Get your registration in soon!
For more information, contact Southwind Extension District Intern Gwenyth Fry at (620) 223-3720 or [email protected].
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
FSHS Tiger Drama Camp Performs Treasure Island
This year’s annual Fort Scott High School Tiger Drama Camp performs Treasure Island on June 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School commons area.
Thirty five students in 1st through 9th grade spent two weeks at camp preparing for the production. The play is adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller from the book by Robert Louis Stevenson.
The character of Jim is played by 6th grader Scout Eden. Other notable characters include Long John Silver who is played by 8th grader Theodore Bowman, Doctor Livesey – freshman Dimple Williams, and Squire Trelawney portrayed by freshman Adeline Hartmetz. Other campers make up a motley crew of pirates, storytellers, and Skeleton Island Natives.
The camp and show are directed entirely by FSHS Thespians. Seniors Regen Wells and Lexi Hill are the Directors.
“I absolutely love getting to share my love of theatre with the younger people of our community and I’m extremely happy to have an outlet in the community for directing and producing,” Wells said.
Other high school staff include: junior Kiara Thompson – Stage Manager, sophomores Emma Bin and Tuesday Glessner – Choreographers, junior Cooper George – Costume Designer, senior Natalie Woods – Sound Designer, senior Jericho Jones – Music Director, sophomores Charlie Chaplin and Chris Newman – Props and Set Designers and freshman Tobi Larrabee and junior Molly Hoyt – Arts Directors. Many other Thespians serve as acting coaches and leaders and Thespian Director Angie Bin serves as show producer.
During the two-week camp, students learn about most technical theatre areas such as lighting, sound, costuming, stagecraft, and make-up. They also help to create the artistic set decor.
Hill said, “This is my first time directing a show and I am so excited to see it performed. Working with the kids is amazing and everyone involved has put so much work into this hilarious show.”
Tickets for the show are $5 and available at the doors at Fort Scott Middle School. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Young Entrepreneurs: at Fort Scott Farmers Market This Saturday
Several young children who are learning how to create their own business will have their wares on display and for sale at the Fort Scott Farmers Market this Saturday, June 3 from 8 a.m. to noon.
The event will be at Third and Main Street, behind the First United Methodist Church in that parking lot.
Children who attended a young entrepreneurs fair in the last year will be selling their wares and encouraging other children to start their own businesses
“Saturday is to get the word out and let other children see a small sample of inspiration for what they can be a part of,” Maria Whitson, one of the parent organizers said. “It will also allow the children who have created businesses a chance to sell their products.”
“We will have opportunities for kids to take their ideas and learn about how to turn it into a business,” she said. “Then we will give them an opportunity to launch and sell their products at the kid’s business fair later this year. More information will be available at the kid’s booths at the farmers market this weekend.”
The Acton Children’s Business Fair will be sponsoring a fair again this fall. To learn more: https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/
“There will be cash prizes for the event in the fall,” Whitson said.
Whitson and Melanie Lamb are the parent organizers who will be available to answer questions on Saturday.
Some of the children who will participate:
“This weekend kids will be having their booths to inspire others to be entrepreneurs,” she said. “Kids who already have set up their own business to inspire others.”
In addition, there will be handouts for a class in September that the youth can participate in, Whitson said.
The farmers market has changed spaces this Saturday only, to accommodate the Good Ol’ Days annual celebration in downtown Fort Scott.
Prevent Summer Brain Drain
K-State Research and Extension
Family and Consumer Science Agent
Southwind District
211 W. Butler
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620
School is out for the summer for a majority of the schools in the area. I have noticed much more activity in my town as kids are out riding bikes, walking around the town square, and visiting the local park.
With all the beautiful summer days ahead, kids have all sorts of opportunities to take advantage of their summer vacation. But should fighting “summer brain drain” be part of their plans?
The last thing children want to think about during the off-season is all the knowledge and skills they gained during the past school year. Summer brain drain is explained by experts as a lapse in what children remember during summer. This could include forgetting strategies or skills that will have to be retaught at the beginning of the next school year. Evidence shows more challenging subjects such as math and science are the first topics that students experience the most impact in.
As parents, there are ways you can help prevent the backward slide of knowledge during the upcoming summer months.
Reading for as little as 10-15 minutes each day can enhance vocabulary, extend comprehension, and generate curiosity. This is true for all ages, so encourage your kiddos to pick up a book each day or even enroll in a summer reading program through local libraries. Reading can also be incorporated into everyday activities such as reading instructions on how to build a new toy or preparing a new recipe. Negative impacts are also shown in reading skills, so consider having your child start a simple summer journal or diary.
Parents should help to maintain structure during the summer. Structure and routines provide kids with a sense of security and comfort year-round, not just during the school year. Daily routines encourage healthy choices and teach healthy behaviors while teaching responsibility and self-control. Try to add daily exercise, set a time for reading and writing, and plan family meals together. Hold them accountable for their routines by creating a list or writing it on a family calendar. By having the ability to check off a to-do item, they will feel a sense of accomplishment from even the smallest tasks.
Consider using these simple tips to help your child thrive this summer. Remember, summer brain drain is not a complete loss of information but more of a lapse and should not be the source of stress or anxiety. Focus on encouraging natural experiences for learning at any opportunity. For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.
Summer Reading Kick Off Party
The Library Invites You to the Family Summer Reading Kickoff Party
This year, the Fort Scott Public Library’s summer reading program will begin on May 31 at 10 a.m. with a family kickoff party in Buck Run Community Center’s front gym.
The party will run from 10 – 11:30. Partygoers will play games, create crafts, eat delicious treats provided by donors, drink cold water provided by G & W Cash Saver, earn prizes, and enjoy fairy tale activities inspired by the classic tales and The Land of Stories book series by Chris Colfer.
This summer’s theme is All Together Now, and the program will explore friendship, cooperation, and unity through stories, crafts, games, and other activities from June 1 to August 2, with a wrap-up party on August 8 or 9.
The library will be collecting summer care items for families in need, with a donation box
available at the party. Please bring unused swim diapers, sunscreen, feminine sanitary products,
etc. to donate. Clothing donations will not be accepted. Donated items will be available for anyone to take as needed in the library’s downstairs computer room throughout the summer
(while supplies last). Donors may also bring children’s books in good condition to the library to donate for summer reading prizes.
Families may register for summer reading at the party or skip the long registration line for each child and teen by pre-registering by May 29 at this link: Online SR Registration Form. They may also register via a paper form available at the library. Patrons may turn in completed registration forms at any library desk or by placing them in the after-hours book return, located on the north side of the library.
This party is made possible in part by Buck Run Community Center. All library programs are free and open to the public.
Get your game on at the Middle & High School Summer Reading Kickoff Party
The Fort Scott Public Library’s 6th -12th grades summer reading program will begin on May 31 at 4 p.m. with a kickoff party at the Keyhole, across from the high school. The party will run from 4 – 6 p.m.
Partygoers will play board, card, video, and billiard games, eat delicious treats, drink cold water
provided by G & W Cash Saver and soda, and earn library loot, which may be used to “buy” prizes throughout the summer. Throughout the summer, teens will meet at 4 pm on Wednesdays to play games, do art projects, participate in volunteer efforts, and
celebrate through special parties from May 31 to August 9.
Teens may register for summer reading at the party, or skip the line and preregister at this link: Online SR Registration Form. They may also register via a paper form available at the library. Patrons may turn in completed registration forms at any library desk or by placing them in the after-hours book return, located on the north side of the library.
This party is made possible by a partnership with the Keyhole. All library programs are free and open to the public.