Concrete Safaris

May 20th: Spring Sparkler

concretesafaristoday — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:57:26 +0000

Our First Store: Petal Power

concretesafaristoday — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:33:06 +0000

For one week this fall, CS Explorers put their entrepreneurship lessons to practice raising funds for class trips by selling flower bulbs for our garden and farm. Parents, teachers, and kids could donate whatever amount they wanted towards individual flowers, which we planted. The group decided to use the remainder for an ice skating trip this winter. We are all looking forward to skating and seeing the colorful flowers in May.

The Six Most Important Things CS Explorers Learned in 2009

concretesafaristoday — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:11:37 +0000

1) Worms help flowers and trees grow.

2) You can get the job done when you work together.

3) Always wear gloves [in the garden and farm] and don’t swing tools.

4) How to be a garden leader.

5) Outdoor exercise makes you feel good!

6) The 5 food groups — grains, vegetables, fruits, meat and beans, and dairy — and how to cook a healthy meal or snack in each category.

Source: Youth Evaluations.

Sept. 25-27: Fall Wilderness Retreat

concretesafaristoday — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:28:05 +0000

CS Explorers embarked on their first Fall Wilderness Retreat, most venturing from home for the first time. The children, ages 8 and 9, hiked, made healthy meals, and learned about diabetes prevention. Here is one of their nature photos:

Mayor of Rome visits Mad Fun Farm

concretesafaristoday — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:56:09 +0000

July 22, 2009 – CS Explorers teach the Mayor of Rome how they improved their neighborhood.

Mayor of Rome and his interpreter meet CS Explorers

Nazarene, Jaritzel, and Angelica pose with the Mayor of Rome, NYCHA Commissioner and Environmental Coordinator, and Peter Kostmayer, President of Citizens Committee for NYC

Improved Public Safety & Hygiene

concretesafaristoday — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:07:00 +0000

June 2009 – Paradise Garden is now policed by participating children who are either no longer throwing trash on the ground or pressuring their peers to clean up after themselves. Most recently, three boys told on a fourth boy who threw his chip bag into the garden. They then pressured him to walk into the garden, pick up his chip bag, and throw it into a trash bin. Neighbors whose homes overlook both Paradise Garden and Mad Fun Farm are also keeping a watchful eye through their windows improving safety for our children and passersby.

Museum of the City of New York Installation at Paradise Garden

concretesafaristoday — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:49:39 +0000

May 16 & 17, 2009 – High school students enrolled in the Museum of the City of New York’s Neighborhood Explorers interviewed CS Explorers and developed terrific models for a revitalization project at Union Settlement’s Paradise Garden, a Concrete Safaris initiative. Together, MCNY and CS youth, parents, and staff created beautiful pathways planting azaleas, dogwoods, hanging flower baskets, and other gorgeous perennials.

Thank you for all of your hard work, MCNY!

Visit the Museum at 104th Street and 5th Avenue to see the Exhibition!

Entry is free for East Harlem residents.

Jack and Eddie loved working together!

Mad Fun Farm Cleanup

concretesafaristoday — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:31:19 +0000

40 youth (ages 5 – 17) spent April 9th raking leaves and picking up trash and recyclables, filling 105 bags. We will use the leaves to start our own compost bins as the city stopped leaf collection this year and compost will be harder to amass in the very near future.

A high school student teams with two 5-year-olds to collect leaves.

Making Recycling Cool

concretesafaristoday — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:25:46 +0000

Our 9-12-year-olds created a show to educate staff and children at our partnering community center, Union Settlement Association, about recycling as the center goes green. Approximately 85 children participated in the Recycling Fair at Union Settlement’s Rising Stars site where the children performed their show.

A "What To Recycle" Poster

CS Wins Grant From YouthBridge-NY’s “Bridging the Gap” Fund

concretesafaristoday — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:01:59 +0000

June 25, 2009 – Concrete Safaris is a grant recipient of YouthBridge-NY’s “Bridging the Gap” Fund. High school students from across the city raised funds, solicited applications, and decided which organizations they believed gave youth a voice and provided them with an opportunity for action. This is a wonderful honor to be awarded by youth for our youth-driven program. Thank you!