Club Compass Updates – April 2025
April Adventures at Club Compass: Furry (and not so furry) Friends, Field Trips, and Future Dreams!
April was an action-packed month at Club Compass, full of interactive learning, kind-hearted moments, and inspiring connections with our amazing community partners. From therapy dogs to wildlife field trips, our Compass for Kids students had experiences they’ll never forget!
🐾 Furry Friends and Amazing Guests
This month, our Club kids got to meet and learn from an exciting lineup of guests and animal companions, including:
- Therapy Dogs – bringing calm, comfort, and cuddles to our classrooms.
- The Pet Doctor and Exotic Animals – giving kids a close-up look at some truly wild creatures!
- Henson Robinson Zoo – connecting kids to animal conservation right here in Springfield.
- IDNR Conservation – teaching about water safety around lakes and ponds.
- Adams Wildlife Sanctuary – guiding nature-based learning and appreciation for the environment.
Our kids also practiced Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) through activities like Tangram Animals, using creativity and critical thinking to analyze problems and piece together animal shapes from puzzles. Through this, they learned to break problems into parts, explore solutions, and grow as young problem-solvers.
🌟 Kindness Saves the Day!
Thanks to Tia Mahr from Girl Scouts, our students took part in a superhero adventure with Lady Sparkles, learning that kindness is a real superpower.
To defeat the villain Lord Shadow, kids created a “Kindness Chain” and discovered how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. This creative activity reminded everyone that standing up to bullies and choosing kindness builds a better world.
💬 SEL in Real Life – A Teachable Moment
During a trip to Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, two Club members accidentally broke a ceramic bird fixture. Instead of hiding the mistake, Kayden stepped forward to take responsibility. With support from our Site Coordinator Kieley and encouragement from volunteers, he made a heartfelt apology and asked, “How can I fix it?”
Kayden’s honesty, accountability, and emotional maturity are a testament to the SEL skills we practice every day. His actions made his mom and all of us at Compass incredibly proud.
🎥 Dreaming Big: Behind the Scenes at WICS
One of the month’s most inspiring moments came during our field trip to WICS Studios, where students toured the newsroom with Production Manager Kenny Yokem.
After the visit, student Amir looked Kenny in the eye and said: “I’m going to get the degree I need, and come back and see you for a job.”
This moment lit a spark in Amir and gave him the confidence to chase his dream of becoming a journalist. We’re so thankful to the WICS team for helping plant the seeds of ambition and self-belief in our youth.
💚 Local Leaders & Learning
We’re grateful for the many community members who donated their time, talents, and passion this month:
- Shadaye Hunnicutt from Gift of Hope
- Christy Cristes – STEAM Education
- Mike Crews – Hickory Point Bank
- Jay Cook – Morton Bank
- Tricia Becker – Healthy Body
Their visits introduced students to real-world careers, community service, and the power of making connections.
🍽️ Thank You to Our Dinner Providers!
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to everyone who helped provide warm, nutritious meals for our kids throughout April. Your generosity nourishes not just their bodies, but their ability to learn, play, and grow.
We’re so proud of our Club Compass students and grateful to all the individuals and organizations who made April unforgettable. Whether it’s through a lesson in kindness, a spark of career inspiration, or an act of responsibility, our kids are growing every day, and your support makes it possible.
Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Compass for Kids! 💫
