The Live 2 Learn After School & Summer Program serves the rural towns of Jackman, Moose River, Dennistown Plt., West Forks, and the Forks. Funded through Maine’s Department of Education, the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant provides numerous educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities for youth, parents, and community members.
Since its inception in 2005, the Live 2 Learn Program’s primary focus has been improving students’ academic performance. The program does so by tracking each student’s grades through progress reports, as well as receiving teacher evaluations and input. The goal is to help each student find success in their areas of weakness through additional tutoring and homework assistance. Students are able to apply their education in the many enrichment programs offered throughout the year. Whether it be an elementary student learning about gravity and lift during a kite building activity, a middle school student learning to navigate an orienteering course with a compass, or a high school student collecting data to assess their fitness level during a strength & conditioning program, students gain an appreciation for their education as they apply it in the program and in life.
Live 2 Learn offers many recreational activities through programs such as Live 2 Learn 2 Swim, Youth Paddling Adventure, Outdoor Adventure, and Moose River Outpost. These programs give students the opportunity to participate in hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, archery, and survival skills. In addition to the summer sports programs, Live 2 Learn offers intramural soccer and basketball during the school year. Cultural activities include art, dance, music, and our yearly Children’s Stage Adventure performance. The Live 2 Learn Program also coordinates parent/community events such as dinners, award ceremonies, and special guests to highlight student achievement and to share experiences as a family and community.
Over the past four years the Live 2 Learn Program has continued to increase youth participation and attendance as the program grows to provide more opportunities. This would not be possible without help from our district partners the Jackman Region Community Association, Jackman – Moose River Chamber of Commerce, Plum Creek Timber Company, and Jackman Region Health Center. The collaboration between district partners, the school, and the surrounding communities has been central in providing quality afterschool and summer programming.
As with any grant funded program the goal is to be self sustained by the end of the grant period. The Live 2 Learn Program now enters its final year of grant funding and is working to sustain the program through shared community resources and additional grant opportunities