The Pullman neighborhood offers its youth an opportunity to survey and explore Chicago’s natural areas. In this exploration, local park rangers will teach and introduce the wonders of nature.
The Pullman National Monument website announced three locations: its site, a local nature area, and downtown as part of the Pullman Summer Explorers program, which aims to create a coming-of-age experience for children. In youth summer programs, they can make friends, learn cool and helpful skills, and experience a safe space to be creative. The program is different than traditional summer camp and summer school.
Youth need to feel a sense of involvement and community, especially in the summer when they are not around classmates they are used to seeing daily. That is where programs like this come in handy. Not only can they build potential bonds with new friends, but the children gain a feeling of togetherness that will help them become comfortable in social settings. It is an opportunity — a mock summer camp experience — from which the youth will reap benefits. The Pullman National Monument is very active in its community. It has built a rapport and familiarity with its residents.
In April, Pullman National Monument celebrated National Park Week with nine days of activities ranging from yoga, scavenger hunts, coffee, and neighborhood cleanup.
Chicago is a city full of monuments, food, and historic sports teams. Well-known landmarks have been around since the end of the civil war. Yet, history has become overlooked.
A person needs to know and respect their surroundings. Therefore, program participants will be taught stewardship and community planning during daily expeditions throughout Chicago.
The Pullman Summer Explorers program is available on a first-come-first-served basis exclusively for youth in the 60628 zip code. The program has six sessions with three-day meetings on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Upcoming fourth and fifth-grade youth are eligible to apply. The program will start and finish at the Pullman National Monument at 610 East 111th Street.
To secure a spot for their fourth-grader in one of the Pullman explorers sessions, parents and guardians must complete the application form for the program and send it to PULL_VisitorInfo@nps.gov. The form can be submitted by mail or in person at the Pullman National Monument Visitor Center. The application deadline was June 10. Applicants selected for the program were notified of their acceptance by June 15. A random drawing in a raffle chose youth outside of the area.
Written by Mikal Eggleston
Edited by Sheena Robertson
Sources:
Block Club Chicago: South Side 4th Graders Will Explore Chicago In Pullman National Monument Summer Program; by Maia McDonald
Block Club Chicago: Pullman National Monument Celebrating National Park Week With 9 Days Of Activities In April; by Maia McDonald
National Park Service: Pullman Summer Explorers
Chicago Mag: The Pullman Neighborhood Is a Time Capsule; by Edward Mcclelland
Featured Image Courtesy of Adam Courtmanche’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Adam Courtmanche’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
