Tweet of the day (8/15/14)

Shout out to @Camp_Runway & HR clothing for hosting an amazing fashion show production for the youth! #TEAMSYEP pic.twitter.com/eGba2LbP6q

— One City SYEP (@OneCitySYEP) August 6, 2014

Free school supplies, Aug. 22

FREE Back to School Supplies by Metro PCS | Majic 102.3 http://t.co/ceGIs7kuUh @OneCityYouth @w7sdcc @DCDPR @EOMONE1 @CMYMA @MurielBowser

— JanisHazel-ANC 7D05 (@JanisHazel7D05) August 13, 2014

Kids, get making some art for the DC State Fair Kids Art Contest

The theme of the 2014 DC State Fair Kids' Art Contest is "Reduce Reuse Repurpose." That means found or repurposed objects AND dried legumes.

Other requirements and information:

• Art can be 2 or 3 dimensional
• Contest winners will be judged on: creativity (30%), originality (30%), relevance to theme "Reduce Reuse Repurpose" (30%), use of found objects and legumes (10%)
• The drop-off and judging schedule will be available at www.dcstatefair.org/event-details
• There will be a prize for each age group and the winners may be displayed on the Kid Power DC and DC State Fair websites as well as other Fair-related venues
• Judging groups are Grades K-3, Grades 4-6, and Grades 7-9

What ARE legumes, anyway?
A Legume (French) is a plant, seed, or fruit. Practically, what this means is that legumes are beans or seeds. Examples of legumes are kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, lima beans, black-eyed peas, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), split peas, and lentils.

Fill a backpack with school supplies, help a child at DC General shelter

Fill a Backpack for Children at DC General 2014

Have you subscribed to the blog yet?

Have YOU subscribed to our blog yet?!? It's PRETTY awesome.. http://t.co/MLCaic6taO

— OneCityYouth (@OneCityYouth) August 10, 2014

Sewing Camp, Aug. 18-21

The Children's Art Studio is holding a Sewing Camp August 18 - 21, 2:30 - 4:30 pm. The class will teach students fundamental skills of hand sewing, learning how to thread a needle, tie knots, and sew a variety of stitches. During the time at camp, children will use their new skills to make engaging projects like small toys and useful accessories. The cost for the week is $150.

Email childrensartstudio@gmail.com with questions and to enroll.

Tweets of the day (8/13/14)

They're in! Congrats to our new @DCYouthMayors! #myli35 #dc pic.twitter.com/ioq97ipJ75

— Mayor'sYouthLeaders (@MYLI_DC) August 11, 2014

The new Youth Mayors of DC! I'm soooo proud of yall! Learn from the past & chart your own path @MYLI_DC @_nynyny pic.twitter.com/2AK9RoO10X

— David Williams (@highflyingdavid) August 11, 2014

Tweet of the day (8/12/14)

Ballou High School welcomes Dr. Yetunde Reeves as it's new leader! Go Knights! @dcpublicschools

— Ballou High School (@balloudc) August 11, 2014

Youth encouraged to apply to participate in 2014 Beijing Sister-City Youth Camp

The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia invites DC youth ages 18 to 25 to represent the District of Columbia in the 2014 International Youth Organization Forum and Beijing Sister-City Youth Camp. The events take place October 20 to 26, 2014 in Beijing, China.

Last year, there were 162 campers from Beijing's 32 sister cities from 26 countries who participated in the program. The participants spent a week in Beijing and took trips to such featured landmarks as the Forbidden City, Great Wall of China, and Peking University. The participants also had an opportunity to learn Chinese martial arts, calligraphy and traditional Chinese etiquette. In addition, the group was assigned a topic to present for a forum discussion.

The host in China will cover all expenses, including accommodation, meals, and local travel. The only costs incurred by the participants are the plane fare and the Visa application fee. This youth camp is one of the projects under the Washington and Beijing Sister City Agreement (PDF).

To be considered for this program, applicants need to submit the following information by Friday, August 29, 2014.

1. Brief description of yourself (including age and school attended) and why you are the right candidate to represent the District in this program.
2. One page essay on this year's theme: The Role of Youth in the City's Sustainability Program. If you are selected, you and your teammates will be required to work collectively and prepare a paper and presentation n this topic for a forum of discussion in Beijing.

The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia will conduct a selection process and choose the finalists by September 9, 2014. The participants who are selected MUST be able to secure funding for roundtrip tickets Washington-Beijing (around $1,300) and pay the fee of $140 for a Chinese Visa. A passport is required that is valid until, at a minimum, the date of April 20, 2015.

Email the required information to BeijingYouthCamp@dc.gov.

Additional information is available from Wiwiek Rembrandt by phone (202-727-6306) or email, BeijingYouthCamp@dc.gov.

This will be the District's second year of participation in a program co-hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the Beijing Youth Federation.

Ward 5 tween holds school supply drive

Twelve year-old Ward 5 resident Ahriana Merryweather wants to help other DC kids prepare for school. The supply drive is open through August 20. Details are in the video and in the blog post ? have you dropped off some school supplies at Grassroots Gourmet for Ahriana Merryweather's back-to-school supplies drive ? you have until Sunday to do so. Ask questions and request backpacks via email, brownies.bits@gmail.com.

Tweet of the day (8/11/14)

Dear Parents: You Need to Teach Your Kids About Money http://t.co/G557QscfQw cc: @BankonDC @susiecambria @DCCFSA @TheWomensFndtn @UWNCA

— CAAB (@CAAB_GreaterDC) August 7, 2014

DPR pools start closing today, Aug. 10

On August 10, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced the 2014 outdoor pool and spray park closure schedule (see DPR Announces the 2014 Spray Parks, Outdoor & Children's Pools Closure Schedule).

Starting on August 10, outdoor pools will be closed on a rolling basis. The first outdoor pools closed are

• Ward 5: Langdon Park Pool (2860 Mills Ave NE)
• Ward 7: Kelly Miller Pool (4900 Brooks St NE)
• Ward 8: Douglass Pool (1921 Fredrick Douglass Ct SE)

Read the release on the DPR website for the details of outdoor pool, children's pool, and spray park closures.

Tweets of the day (8/8/14)

Photos from the Stead Park groundbreaking. Renovated playground & field will open this fall. http://t.co/5kclSXTELq pic.twitter.com/rYqAcDCjOy

— Vincent C. Gray (@mayorvincegray) August 6, 2014

Yes, hi. I'll have the shaved ice, please. What's so funny? pic.twitter.com/H5cgVjHiim

— DC Water (@dcwater) August 6, 2014

Free books for kids on Saturday, August 9

Kids design cars and other vehicles of the future

Toyota has again asked young people around the world to let their imaginations go and to share their ideas about the possibility of mobility in the future. According to designboom's toyota asks kids to design their dream car of the future,

the results prove that the minds of young creatives are not only brimming with illusions of fantasy and fun, but are also crafting in-depth solutions to real-world problems and integrating high-tech systems in their designs. the automobiles are innovative and original: from a car that fights pollution no matter the environment, to a new generation of school transportation and a vehicle that turns humidity into water.

Tweets of the day (8/7/14)

BGCGW Club members from DC Wards 7 and 8 learn how yoga is both fun and relaxing! #GreatFutures pic.twitter.com/AjJPmlqF2a

— BGCGW (@BGCGW) August 4, 2014

It's Magical Muggle Adventures week for Senior Day campers at Mater Dei. Wingardium Leviosa! #BDE2014 pic.twitter.com/aUn2VlHUMT

— Headfirst Camps (@HeadfirstCamps) August 4, 2014

DC SCORES has Moves and Rhymes!

Most people are familiar with the soccer component of DC SCORES but did you know that there is a POETIC component too?

Each fall, all DC SCORES youth participate in a three-month curriculum that culminates in every school performing original works of spoken word at the annual "Poetry Slam!".

Mark your calendars NOW for December 3-4, the dates of this year's slam. It will be held at Powell Elementary School.

Here's a video to keep you entertained in the meantime: Poetry Slam!.

Tweets of the day (8/6/14)

Anacostia High got a new locker room Monday, and a visit from the #Nats' Bryce Harper. #MLB http://t.co/DRSv4ptJWI pic.twitter.com/HFyOlnv7oC

— Post Sports (@PostSports) August 5, 2014

Focus in #athletics can translate 2 better #academics 4 #DC #youth @kidpowerdc @EliotHine @JATrojans @EasternHS pic.twitter.com/ml8v2NCKFw

— Serve Your City (@ServeYourCityDC) August 4, 2014

Tweets of the day (8/5/14)

Strong leaders grown @ymcadc #ymca #BeCauseY pic.twitter.com/mhBJepXRTv

— Monica Hobbs Vinluan (@MonicaHVinluan) August 2, 2014

3:00 pm...I hang out with my new friends Lucy and Linus #GreatFutures pic.twitter.com/Rt5OHCEvUT

— BGCGW (@BGCGW) August 1, 2014

Camp THIS Week!

Looking for something for your middle school student to do in August before school starts? You’re just in luck.

The 2014 East of the River Career Exposure Camp still has a few spaces available for its 2014 session beginning August 4th and ending August 8th. Join them for the 4th year of their unique program--explore career opportunities in Architecture, Aviation, and Banking.

Go to the forms section on the program's website for the student registration form and parent orientation form.

Space is limited to 20 students, contact camp organizers at eotrcareercamp@gmail.com to ensure your placement.