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Kiwanis Launches Pilot Program to Provide Third Graders Access to Local Attractions

A Passport to Discovery partnership has been formed by the Kiwanis Club of Battle Creek, the Calhoun Intermediate School District’s Department of Instruction and area cultural and educational attractions.

“Its purpose is to create incentives to increase the participation of students in the activities and opportunities offered by area educational and cultural attractions,” said spokesman Robert Learner.

The basic premise of the Passport to Discovery project is that the Cultural and Educational Attractions of the Calhoun County and Battle Creek Area are rare and outstanding opportunities for discovery, exploration, entertainments and fun.

Their programs and activities expand the value of student classroom experiences and increase individual appreciation for learning, he said.
Passport to Discovery Attractions offer free or reduced admissions along with new educational opportunity.

Each passport to Discovery member receives a Certificate of Participation and at the end of the year, special recognition for the number of ‘stamps’ received.

The first year, 2011-2012, is considered a ‘trail’ year and Passports are being offered just to third graders in the county.

In future years, the Kiwanis anticipates expanding both the outreach to students and the number of participating attractions.

Partnership with Calhoun Intermediate School District’s Department of Instruction is essential to the success of the Passport project, he said.

Among the attractions are Binder Park Zoo, the Art Center of Battle Creek and Willard Library to name a few.

“We are all very excited as the Passport to Discovery project begins,’’ added Ron Burris, past president of the Kiwanis Club of Battle Creek an organizer for the Passport to Discovery project and chairman of the Discovery Film Series. “In facilitating student access to the wonderful opportunities offered by area attractions, we both help the attractions and directly address the Kiwanis goal of ‘serving the children of the world.’’’

The Kiwanis Club of Battle Creek and the Save Our History Committee are the sponsors for the Passport to Discovery Project.

The Synergy of Collaboration.

CityLinC is experiencing the energy that comes from cooperation. A few months ago, Cumulous Radio asked CityLinC if they could combine their school backpack campaign with our annual Stuff-A-Bus Back-2-School Supplies Campaign. The benefits of having a non-profit and a for-profit combine their energies prompted a spontaneous agreement. That conversation was the tipping point. In the last two months, other local businesses have asked to join the partnership: Lakeview Ford, C-Stores, Allegra Printing, Ralston, and Lakeview Square Mall, to name a few. Even the Ad-Visor in Marshall has volunteered to help us reach out to the needy children in the rural communities of Calhoun County. Look what happens when we all give the "same energy" to our commitments! Multitudes of Calhoun County children will have essential school supplies when they return to school in the fall. Dale Boyer, CityLinC Stuff-A-Bus Campaign!