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ECU group experience a ride on a fire truck provided by the Stilwell Fire Department.

STILWELL, OK - Fifteen school-age children in Stilwell enjoyed a Cherokee Nation summer program designed to offer kids an opportunity to release pent up energy, work on projects, enjoy sports, or relax and unwind at the Cherokee Nation Child Development Center in Stilwell.

"When children come to the center, after being at school for three or more hours, they need activities which will be different from what has gone on in school", said Leah Duncan, Education Specialist for the Cherokee Nation’s Stilwell CDC.

The Cherokee Nation offers a variety of activities at the facility, including art projects, puzzles, cooking, dramatic play, weaving, science, and water play.

"We want the time the children spend at the center to be a time to unwind after school", Duncan said.

The School Age Program’s summer activities included field trips to the Siloam Springs Family Aquatic Center in Arkansas, a tour of the Greenleaf Nursery, visits to the Murrell Home, the U.S.S. Batfish submarine in Muskogee, Sequoyah’s home in Sallisaw and the Tahlequah Public Library. The group learned fire safety at the Stilwell Fire Department, and the students were treated to a ride on top of the fire trucks.

"We appreciate the firemen for their time", Duncan said.

Students and parents participated in fund raising activities throughout the summer. These funds were used to pay admission and food costs for the field trips.

"The group’s favorite trip was going to the Northwest Arkansas Mall to spend their money they earned throughout the summer", said Duncan.

The program closed their summer by taking a few more field trips, and they also have scheduled a “Back to School” party. The Stilwell Wal-Mart donated school supplies for the party and the participants' parents for provided the food.

"Our summer seems to have passed quickly", said Duncan. "As it comes to an end, we’ve each made new friends and encountered new experiences which will make us all better individuals."

The Stilwell CDC school age group this summer consisted of 15 students. They were A.J. Deason, Aaron Choate, MaKayla Christie, Kelsey Hammer, Chelsea Beaver, Heather Chuculate, Jake Duncan, Ashton Leach, Corey Killer, Hillary Hart, Sarah Burris, Hillary Leach, Natasha Jones, Mason Killer, and Slayter Deeringwater. The School Age program staff includes Teri Nakedhead, Cindy Jones and Janice Gonzales.