Empow(HER)- Summer 2021

How might we empower young women to use their voice to create a better world for themselves and others?

In the summer of 2021, the Empow[HER] team came together to create a summer summit called Empow[HER] On: Climbing Your Mountain. After a year and a half of dealing with the hardships COVID caused for the Boise community, this group of high school students wanted to create a space that allowed for seventh and eighth grade girls to build connections as well as develop skills to help with overcoming obstacles. This was a two day summit that included a movie night and sleepover at One Stone HQ. 

On the first day, the team took the participants up into the foothills for dinner, a hike and an activity centered around practicing vulnerability and sharing a story of when you had to overcome an obstacle. After dinner and sharing space and time, the group went on a hike representing their overcoming obstacles by working together to climb to the top of the mountain. The night concluded with a sleepover at One Stone Headquarters. 

To maintain COVID protocols each girl brought their own sleeping gear and was separated with six feet of distance. The next morning, guides and participants walked over to the Idaho History Museum to tour the Trailblazing Women section. Afterward, everyone came back to One Stone HQ to participate in some more activities. One of them was decorating a tiny pot to put a plant in, and at the bottom of the pot putting a piece of paper with a struggle you are having in the bottom of the pot. Then putting soil and a flower over the top to represent that even though life is sometimes hard, it also helps us grow into something beautiful. The young students also created cards about inspirational women in their lives. It could be someone they knew or someone famous who they looked up to.

Fast Facts Sheet

Year(s): Summer 2021

Focus: Female empowerment

Recipients: 7th and 8th grade girls

Community partner: Idaho History Museum

Number of recipients: 20

Number of One Stone members involved in planning:  5-7

Number of weeks of planning: 10

How many hours it took to prepare for implementation: 20

How many hours it took to implement: 15

Love of Learning- Fall 2020

How might we keep a love of learning alive in elementary school students during the current virtual learning and limited activity realities associated with the COVID pandemic?

Love of Learning was created as a free mentorship program designed to support young students in their educational and social-emotional growth during the unique challenges brought on by COVID-19. To help students safely engage with others while keeping the flame of curiosity alive, elementary students (K-6th) were paired with a high school student “guide” once a week after school for in-person, hands-on activities (science experiments, art projects and more), healthy snack, movement time, and personalized learning support. 

““As a single mom, I went for a walk every time I dropped my child off. It provided me with a time to get exercise and just decompress.””

— A Parent

Once a week after school guides and buddies would pair up to do different activities like candy catapult building, stomp rockets, crafting, and chalk drawing. Guides also helped buddies with personalized learning support which looked like supporting students that came with homework. Guides and their buddies were also able to play educational games, use the provided practice materials, and review parent suggestions with their buddy to help make goals and plans on how they could get their school work done during the day. 

An implementation of this was done at the Boys and Girls Club in Boise as well as JUMP. While the implementation done at JUMP was held after school, the one for the Boys and Girls Club was held during Lab51 hours. Lab51 students were taken over to the club four days a week to work with kids during the school day and help them with classes and homework.

““It was a positive experience and my kids would like to go back.””

— A Parent

Fast Facts

Year(s): Fall 2020 - Spring 2021

Focus: Tutoring and literacy opportunities

Recipients: Love of Learning’s elementary-aged participants

Community partner: JUMP

Number of recipients: 30

Number of One Stone members involved in planning: 15

Number of weeks of planning: 30

How many hours it took to prepare for implementation: 5

How many hours it took to implement: 50

Data:

• 100% of parents agreed that Love of Learning engaged their child’s curiosity and support their development.

• 100% of parents said their child enjoyed spending time with their buddy 

• 100% of parents said they would recommend Love of Learning to another family

Outside the Lines Camp 2020

How might we build creative confidence in fifth and sixth graders through a fun summer experience?

One Stone kicked off its second annual Outside the Lines camp in the summer of 2020, an interactive and free camp for incoming fifth and six graders in the Boise area. The three day experience, planned by a team of One Stone students, was designed to help kids think outside the box and boost their creativity through art. 19 high school guides were paired with 21 aspiring young artists to work as mentors and friends as they explored all different styles of artwork. 

This year, Outside the Lines was hosted at Julia Davis Park, and campers and guides were broken up into smaller groups to help maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone wore masks, and the sharing of materials was minimized in order to reduce contact. This unique challenge was fully embraced by the Outside the Lines planning team, and the group was able to find some very creative ways to engage in the camp safely. Each group explored a different theme each day: Gettin’ Wild, Urban Jungle, and Nature Art. Teams had the opportunity to see many different centers of local creativity such as the Boise Art Museum and Freak Alley. After getting inspired by all the impressive work, students would return to the park and begin their many fun activities. Campers made sculptures out of natural materials, recreated pieces they had seen around Boise, learned the art of origami, decorated their own artist smocks, and even got to graffiti their own subway cars made out of shoeboxes. Each activity was designed by the planning team to engage students in a unique way, and get them to think about art differently. These young artists were challenged to think “outside the lines,” and to approach art with their own unique style and mindset.

At the end of the three days, the campers were eager to show their family all that they had created and all the history that they had learned. It was hard to say goodbye to their older buddies, as they had each connected in a special way over the course of the camp. But the campers left much more confident in their artistic abilities and much more excited to share their artwork with the world. 

Outcomes:

100% of parents who took the post-event survey “strongly agreed” that they would recommend Outside the Lines Camp to another family. 

Reflections from Parents:

“I feel it’s invaluable to have the students involved with our kids. Absolutely amazing!”

“It was fun and it opened her mind to art around Boise.”

“Great job following protocol and expectations during this very unique time. Thank you.”

“The camp opened my daughter’s eyes to new outlets and ideas about art forms and concepts.”

Reflections from Guides:

“At the beginning one girl didn’t want to keep up her art, but by the end she was confident and proud. It allowed me to see how I can incite confidence.”

“I realized after the last day of camp that I impacted my buddy in a positive way. She and her mother were thankful for her time spent at One Stone with me.”

“I learned strengths like helping myself and others find inner passions that I will take into consideration for the rest of my life, and I gained memories I will never forget!”

“Me and my buddy from Outside The Lines camp had tons of fun doing art and hanging out with each other, but we were both a little shy and awkward in the beginning. To make it a little easier, we began asking each other questions, from 'What's your favorite art style?' to 'How long have you lived in Idaho?' and many more questions so we could get closer and more comfortable around each other. By the end of camp, we were bummed that we had to part ways, but on the other hand, were very glad that we got to know each other as well as we did. Because of this awesome experience at Outside The Lines, I will always remember my buddy, the friend that couldn't have been better than he was!”

Sad Muffins

How might we encourage others to open a conversation on mental health through the sweetness of baked goods?

During the winter of 2019, the Project Good Team now known as the “Sad Muffins” was interested in diving into the topic of mental health but unsure of the direction in which they wanted to go, when Jodi from Interfaith Sanctuary and her sister, Val, from Depressed Cake Shop came to them with a project. They were planning a Depressed Cake Shop Pop-Up event in Boise, where they planned to raise awareness and money for Interfaith’s Project Well Being by selling donated baked goods from local bakers and baking enthusiasts. Project Well Being is a program at Interfaith Sanctuary that is designed to first bring stability, then well-being, for their guests who need a safe place to be during the day. 

The team was surprised to see the statistics of mental health in Idaho. According to a 2016 study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 16% of Idaho adolescents between the ages of 12-17 reported that they had at least 1 major depressive episode during the 12 months prior to the survey, which is higher than the national average at 13%.

The team ideated with Jodi and Val and determined that a concerted effort to include teens in the Depressed Cake Shop Pop-Up was important to the success of the overall event. After several ideation sessions, the group decided to plan a youth conversation on mental health with other teens during the event called “Donuts and Depression.” The team worked with Jennelle Johnson, LMSW, to plan the conversation in order to provide a safe, open, and informed space. Prior to the Pop-Up, the team also hosted a casual baking day at One Stone where teens were invited to decorate baked goods and chat about mental health. 

On March 7th, Jennelle and the Sad Muffins team led the Donuts and Depression youth conversation for 25 teenagers during the Depressed Cake Shop Pop-Up at Trailhead. In addition to this conversation, the event included a cake-cutting by Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, a free yoga class, a cakewalk, and hundreds of donated baked goods for sale. 

Outcomes:

25 adolescents between the ages of 14-18 participated in the youth conversation on mental health

“The Sad Muffins Project Good team taught me a lot of things but most importantly, vulnerability. I spoke about mental health on Radio Boise, in front of a guided teen group, and on social media. Our team took the first step in opening up and talking about mental health within our teen community, and made a lasting impact.” - Bria Eaton, Project Good student

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Tinker Camp 2020

How might we stimulate third and fourth graders’ passion and curiosity for STEM through an interactive camp created by high school mentors?

During the summer of 2020, One Stone students led and directed the third annual TINKER camp, an exciting three-day camp for third and fourth grade students in the Treasure Valley. The goal of this free program is to incite a love of science, math, technology, and engineering through mentorship with older high school guides. A total of 24 high school volunteers were paired with almost 40 eager young buddies and spent three full days engaging in all different aspects of STEM education. 

This year’s TINKER camp was much different than the years prior. Due to COVID-19, the groups spent all day outside in both Ann Morrison and Kristen Armstrong Park, wearing masks and socially distancing in small groups. The camp was not able to go on any field trips as they had in the past. But rather than being stumped by this unusual challenge, the TINKER planning team embraced the opportunity. They wanted to refocus the camp to embrace and engage in the outdoors and get kids excited to learn more about the world around them. The buddies and their mentors took nature walks through Kathryn Albertson Park and the MK Nature Center, where they investigated the different levels of the food chain and the different ecosystems that exist right here in Idaho. They created pipe-cleaner creatures with special beads to see the effects of UV light. Campers made their own sundials and checked them periodically to discover how the sun can be used to tell time. The campers couldn’t wait to take home their very own mason jars, after filling them with dirt and finding plants and rocks to put inside their new self-sustaining terrariums. Cities of cardboard forts were erected, toothbrush robots were raced, and duct tape boats were put to the test. At the end of each day, the guides came together to laugh about funny moments, brag about how much their buddies had learned, and to reflect on the special connections that they had made with the campers. 

The end of the last day of camp was filled with happy jitters. The campers buzzed with excitement as they told their parents all about their fun experiments and all the things they had discovered. The kids couldn’t wait to go home and explore their own backyard knowing, because of TINKER camp, that STEM is all around them!

Outcomes:

100% of parents who filled out our survey strongly agreed that they would sign up their child for future One Stone programming.

Reflections from parents:

“She used to think about science as being dangerous chemicals. Now she thinks- ‘Science? That's easy!’ because it's all possible for kids to do! STEM seems easier and more fun.”

“The whole [COVID] situation is stressful but One Stone did everything possible to make the experience as safe as possible. The risk was worth the reward. We are so thankful for this opportunity for our daughter! It is a life changing experience for sure.”

“He comes home so excited to talk about all the things he's done and learned.”

“My daughter did a writing camp with you guys about 4 or 5 years ago. You were amazing then and still are! She still talks about it sometimes and misses the staff that worked with her. THANK YOU for providing this service to my kids. Can’t believe it's free. Thank you!!!”

Reflections from guides:

“Tinker camp was an amazing experience for both the guides and campers! Every activity taught STEM in an engaging way, leaving smiles on everyone’s faces.” -Alex

“Tinker camp was a blast of fun done with well executed safety guidelines. It truly was an engaging, informative, fun experience for both campers and guides and personally, I learned new things about STEM that inspired me.” -Vishali

“I think my relationship with both my buddies was the most impactful part of my Tinker camp experience. In addition, the joy of learning with them and seeing their excitement was also very impactful.” -Marilyn

“Throughout the camp the buddies showed me that age doesn’t limit their intelligence.” -Thatcher

The Jesse Tree-tment

How might we create a welcoming space at Jesse Tree for kids of all ages that is safe, engaging, and easy to clean, knowing that the family may be in a stressful situation?

Jesse Tree is a non-profit located next door to One Stone with a mission to keep “the traumatic, life-altering experience of eviction and homelessness from happening to our neighbors, and to our community.” Jesse Tree provides rental assistance to individuals and families facing the threat of eviction, in addition to helping renters communicate with their landlords and access needed resources. One Stone students began to work with Jesse Tree in fall 2019 to renovate their waiting area in order to make it more welcoming to the children of clients who come in to access support. 

Through research and interviews with Jesse Tree staff, the team identified the trauma that can be caused by eviction and homelessness, as well as how expensive and challenging it can be to break the cycle of homelessness. The team also learned how stressful it can be for young children to visit Jesse Tree with their parents; in a time of financial instability and uncertainty at home, it can be hard to sit still for two hours while their parents are speaking with a case worker. It was this insight that led the team to research trauma-informed interior design and toys, with the ultimate goal of creating a welcoming space for children who visit Jesse Tree.

Because Jesse Tree had recently expanded into a new office space, there was preliminary work to be done in redesigning the waiting area. The team visited Jesse Tree twice to paint their walls a pale shade of blue, based on research indicating that blue is the most calming color. They also painted a section of the wall with chalkboard paint in order to provide a creative outlet for children. In addition to physical modifications to the space, the team planned to provide plants, toys, and a children’s book that they would write and illustrate. The book would follow the adventures and challenges of Boddhi, Jesse Tree’s therapy dog, after he got lost, with the ultimate message that home is family, and not a place. The team was in the midst of building a frame for the chalkboard wall when they were forced to go remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The team quickly pivoted their focus to align with the realities of the pandemic: Jesse Tree was receiving more calls than ever due to the rapid increase in unemployment in Idaho. After empathizing with the staff of Jesse Tree, the team decided to develop personalized care packages for them, with a focus on gratitude, human connection, and stress reduction. Each team member wrote a letter to a member of the Jesse Tree staff, created a homemade gift, and provided their favorite snacks, in addition to other small tokens of appreciation. These packages were delivered at the end of May, which is an intentional decision based on the increase in calls to Jesse Tree at the end of the month when rent is typically due.

Outcomes:

The outcomes of this project include giving a fresh few coats of paint to Jesse Tree’s waiting area and the creation and delivery of ten care packages to Jesse Tree’s staff members.

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Thrash Course

How might we ignite a lifelong love of wellness in Future Public School 3rd and 4th graders through skateboarding and its culture?

During the fall of 2019, One Stone members met with Future Public School Movement Engineer, Peter Verdin, to dream big about how we might collaborate to use non-traditional movement activities and “risky play” to engage students at FPS in wellness practices that could last a lifetime. The team’s initial research into “risky play,” which is a term for exploratory, less structured play, revealed the potential for more engagement, ownership, and confidence than traditional PE activities. With this in mind, the team researched non-traditional movement activities and discovered that skateboarding has been linked to increased body awareness, balance, and, importantly, a growth mindset. Armed with this information, empathy interviews with FPS students indicating widespread interest in skating, and our team’s personal love of skateboarding and its culture, the team set off to ideate, prototype, and test opportunities for a spring 2020 skateboard focused implementation with FPS 3rd and 4th graders.

After engaging in repeated visits to Future Public School to connect with students, assess skills, and prototype skating skill building activities, the Future Public School Project Good team landed on a targeted solution to the question "HMW ignite a lifelong love of wellness in Future Public School 3rd and 4th graders through skateboarding and its culture?" Knowing that the team wouldn’t be able lead activities in-person during the two week skateboarding experience planned for early March at FPS, their solution was to create 8 skill building instructional videos that FPS students watched in rotation before practicing each skill, 1 video on safety and board adjustments, as well as a six-part stop-motion-video production curriculum focused on skate park and deck art design that was implemented in 3rd and 4th grade computer science courses.

In total, 180 3rd and 4th graders engaged in both the skateboarding and video production activities over a two-week period. They and the 14 One Stone Project Good members reveled in the success of this engaging implementation. Such high levels of participation were particularly encouraging, given the fact that prior to implementation, only 10% of the participants had experience with a skateboard. 

Outcomes:

180 students from 3rd and 4th grade participated in the Future Public School Thrash Course

“Future Public School's kindergartners are so excited about the skateboarding program that they are almost in tears about not being in the program. Also, Amanda has seen a reduction in bad behavior - due to anticipation for the skateboarding program and because they've had more movement during the day. The school is incredibly grateful for the movement and for the computer science / movement curriculum design that the One Stone students have been providing.” - Future Public School Board Member Will Pigott

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Empow[HER] Spring

How might we empower young women to use their voice to create a better world for themselves and others?

In spring of 2020, the Empow[HER] team hosted three different workshops focused on exploring, creating, and embracing self. The goal of these workshops was to create a space where 7th and 8th grade girls had the chance to foster connection with other girls and women in our community, as well as to build confidence in themselves. Due to COVID-19, the team was only able to hold the first workshop in person and had to pivot to a virtual option for the last two workshops.

In the first session, Exploring You, high school students partnered up with members of the Empow[HER] planning team and participated in a scavenger hunt around Boise. They facilitated a conversation around self-care and participants received self-care bingo sheets to complete on their own.

The second workshop, Creating You, was hosted on Google Meet. Participants reflected on things they were thankful for and decorated gratitude boxes. The planning team issued a challenge to the participants to go for a walk on their own time and take pictures to share with the group at the next workshop.

Embracing You was the final workshop and it began with hand-delivered care packages to participants’ homes. The girls participated in a virtual fashion show, played charades, and were prompted to journal on self-discovery and being yourself. The final activities were making friendship bracelets and a synchronous viewing of The Parent Trap movie.