Building Men Program Builds Character through Summer Programming
SCSD students participating in the Building Men Program enjoyed some exciting enrichment opportunities this summer. In addition to academic refreshers and tutoring, young men also hosted special guest visitors, ranging from Mayor Walsh to Superintendent Davis and others; participating in districtwide athletic competitions; and touring college campuses.“We focus our days around themes: greatness, respect, and integrity, to name a few,” Roberts Building Men Coordinator Cameron Littlejohn explained. “In connecting these themes to applicable practice, students are tasked daily with accomplishing an act centered around them.”
Mentors helped students learn about the importance of cardiovascular health and mental health while creating spaces for the students to be vulnerable and communicate feelings and emotions. They encouraged community service through making bagged lunches to donate to Clear Path for Veterans – and then taking a trip to visit the organization, delivering care packages to veterans in need and letters to soldiers.
Building Men middle school students also had the ability to visit Onondaga Community College, where they heard from President Dr. Warren Hilton, talked about their futures, learned about finances, heard from Extraordinary Males of Distinction, toured the college, and enjoyed lunch in the campus cafeteria.
To wrap a fun summer of activities, Building Men students from Frazer, Huntington, and Roberts traveled to the Corcoran stadium to participate in the Building Men Olympics – competing in throwing, running, and jumping activities – while also building camaraderie and supporting each other.
We’re so proud of these Building Men participants for focusing on being ‘a’ man, not ‘the’ man!
