Colorado State Campus Club Offers Mentoring for Children

Campus Club, a mentoring program offered through the Office for Service Learning and Volunteer Programs (SLVP) at Colorado State University, is looking for children from the Fort Collins community to join for the fall semester. Campus Club is a volunteer program that pairs children ages 6-11 with CSU student volunteers as "buddies." The "buddies" meet as a group to complete service projects and participate in recreational activities. The SLVP office is accepting applications for boys and girls from now until Sept. 24.

The program offers students a variety of community service projects while also acting as a guiding force in the youth’s life. Fort Collins parent Peggy Kok, whose 11 year-old son Erin has participated in the program for the last two years, has seen a change in the boy.

"My son now has a better attitude about life," said Kok. "This is a really wonderful program."

Campus Club meets Sundays during the academic year, from 1-3:30 p.m. in the Lory Student Center. Although some carpooling is available, parents are encouraged to provide transportation.

Activities include cultural and diversity learning experiences, arts and crafts, field trips and service learning in the community. For example, volunteers and children will spend time at the Food Distribution Center, Poudre Valley Hospital and Diamond Crest Assisted Living Center.

Parents interested in enrolling their children should contact Jenifer Doane in the SLVP office no later than Sept. 24. Doane can be reached Mon.-Fri., from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 491-1682.

Campus Club began eight years ago as the result of a survey conducted in the Fort Collins community that reported a growing need for more positive role models in the lives of Fort Collins’ youth.