Summer Fun Includes Kung Fu Lessons and Trip to Farm

The children served by Youth Development United enjoy a variety of engaging activities.

So far this summer, they have been introduced to the sports of kung fu and gagaball, and a taste - literally! - of life on a farm.

Boeing generously funded a free chartered bus ride from Chester to Garrett Williamson Farm in Newtown Square in June. There, our wonderful hosts Ms. Giselle and Ms. Amanda invited participating families to taste fresh berries, basil, fennel, collard greens and other garden delights, and to carefully visit the farm’s bee box. Then, everyone had the opportunity to roll newspaper into a potting container, and plant sunflower seeds inside to bring home. The small pot can be planted directly into soil, and the sunflowers can grow six feet or more, giving a beautiful visual reminder of a special day on a local farm.

After a picnic of pizza and fresh fruit, the children entered the gagaball pit to joyfully play a popular new game considered “a kinder and gentler version of dodgeball,” according to https://www.gagacenter.com/nyc/about/what-is-gaga/

YDU has gratefully been invited to return to Garrett Williamson Farm, and looks forward to the next visit.

In July, YDU families were invited to Grant’s Kung Fu Academy in Upland for a free 90-minute lesson with Sifu Fred. His lessons are appropriate for all ages, and have also been graciously offered and appreciated as part of of YDU’s school holiday zoom camps.

Everyone in attendance expressed enthusiasm for returning for more.
Luckily for the budding martial arts stars, YDU has a scholarship program to help make ongoing kung fu lessons accessible for those interested. The Academy collects a very small monthly contribution from families as a way of securing their commitment, and then YDU pays a discounted rate covering the rest of their tuition.

Ten families have entered this process so far. To help support this and other Youth Development United initiatives, please donate time or money here.

Summer Fun Includes Kung Fu Lessons and Trip to Farm

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