[Vision2020] Family-Friendly Activities (was U of I Program Cuts)

[Jennifer Ingalls]

I don't necessarily want to get into the argument about diversity in Moscow
or at UI, but I do take some issue with Donovan's statement, "Not to mention
the lack of affordable child care, or family fun activities."

 

I grew up in Moscow and though my family had more money than families where
a student is the primary financier of the household, we were not at a loss
for family-friendly free activities (unless we were willfully bored). This
is not to say that we can't do better as a community at providing free
and/or inexpensive activities, but I think many of us forget those things
that are available to us. For example, I -regretfully-cannot remember the
last time I went to the McConnell Mansion or picked up a walking tour guide
of the towns history and hoofed it through Fort Russell (two activities that
occupied Spring and Summer days of my youth). The library (which I remember
as only being the old part of the building) was cool in the Summer and warm
in the Winter. Organizations like Campfire, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and
local churches provided the three of us a lot of fun and educational
activities (both our family's church of choice and the churches or religious
organizations of friends). My mom used to take us to Good Sam to distribute
our wares after craft days at the house. We'd ride bikes out to Robinson
Lake Park, "fish" in Hordeman's pond, or take advantage of all the
demonstrations, concerts and educational lectures the University offered.
There were a lot of things to do!

 

I'll grant that I was a nerdy kid (still am). I, too, would love to see more
activities available after school that would appeal to "at risk" youth (I AM
doing something about that with my involvement in Latah County Youth
Advocacy Council), but I don't think can jump on board with the whole
"there's nothing to do here" claim.  

 

 

Jennifer L. Ingalls

 

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