Peer Advocates from Alexandria City High School facilitate twice-monthly leadership workshops and discussions with Francis Hammond students during LINK Club. Peer advocates have been trained by the City of Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services as part of their Keep It 360 Peer Advocate program. So far the Peer Advocates have covered some great topics including mental health, bullying, healthy relationships, healthy decision-making, stress, underage drinking, and substance prevention. In January, students will explore goal-setting and create vision boards.

Students participate in fun, hands-on project-based learning during LINK Club. With the support of teachers, students engage and explore real-world topics before using their own critical thinking and imagination to solve the problem at hand. Here you can see a student participating in an expedition with Nike. Students virtually visited Nike’s 3D printing facilities in Oregon where they learned how new technology has advanced the accessibility and comfort of shoes and athletic devices. Students were then challenged to design and create a shoe sole for Nike.

Wilderness Kids Alexandria (WKA) is a local non-profit that offers no-cost nature outings to middle school students. Currently, during Francis Hammond LINK Club, 7th-grade students are participating in an after-school nature club offered by WKA each Friday.

Later this month, WKA will begin a weekend outing program, in which 6th-8th grade students will have the chance to go hiking, rock-climbing, or paddling in canoes or kayaks on Saturdays and Sundays. All trips will be supervised by qualified staff with both the appropriate outdoor skills and experience working with young people. WKA will provide transportation and there is no cost to the family. You can sign up for programs using the below link and WKA will be in touch with further details, including trip dates and locations.

Space is limited so please sign up today: https://www.wildernesskidsalexandria.org/forparents