Do you have a blog? Let us add it to the "Blogging Friends" list!

Let us know (via email, onecityyouth@dc.gov) if your child- or youth-serving organization (nonprofit or government) has a blog.  We'll highlight posts and add to the blogroll.

Middle schoolers have fun and learn in New England

More than 100 middle schoolers spent time in New Hampshire this summer as part of the College Success Foundation's Higher Education Readiness Opportunity (HERO) program. According to the story on fosters.com, DC kids experience NH coast, the students visited colleges and universities and spent time at the Seacoast Science Center "learning about intertidal ecology, forest ecology, sharks and geology."

From the online story:

According to HERO Advisor William Walker, "We want to push these kids out of their comfort zones; to broaden their horizons. Getting them involved in hands on learning is the best way to expose them to new opportunities and promote life preparedness."

Walker noted that 95 percent of the students enrolled in the HERO program graduate from high school as compared to the 3 percent high school graduation rate for the district. HERO offers support to the students throughout the year, with advisors working on-site during the school year.

Free and affordable professional development opps in DC

The One City Youth website (onecityyouth.dc.gov/) provides links to valuable free and affordable professional development opportunities in the District.

To get to the page shown above, hover over the "Programs & Services" tab and you'll see "Professional Development."

The latest news in training is from the Trust's Center for Excellence in Youth Development. CEYD has changed the date of the first of two-part training Difficult Conversations, Difficult Conflicts: Transforming Hard Times into Opportunities for Growth. The first session is now being held June 12.

Want to get CEYD updates? Email ceyd@cyitc.org and ask to be added to the list.

Stay tuned for additional professional development opportunities.

Register today for Center for Excellence in Youth Development trainings

DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation's Center for Excellence in Youth Development offers free and affordable trainings, technical assistance and other professional development resources to youth-serving organizations. Upcoming trainings include:

• Advancing Youth Development
• English Language Learners In Out-Of-School Time
• Adult and Child CPR/AED and First Aid
• Mandated Reporter Training
• Gang Intervention and Prevention
• Difficult Conversations, Difficult Conflicts: Transforming Hard Times Into Opportunities For Growth

Details of all sessions are in the course catalogue (PDF).

Free family-oriented bingo game

Key Lime has a terrific free family-friendly bingo game.  The download contains six bingo cards in PDF on letter-size paper.  The cards are free for personal use so no selling, adding your logo or program's contact info.  You can, and we think should, share with families to play with little ones!

There are rules associated with the download; read about them here.

The site has other freebies, including back to school printables and social media and blogging tutorials.  Even if you don't use any of the ideas, the freebies and tutorials will get your creativity going.