Roots & Rivers Kids is a wellness and arts program dedicated to addressing issues highlighted by the recent campaigns, by creating a culture of wellness and empowerment for Bronx Kids & their families. Four concentration areas come together to provide a powerful experience of what health & wellness can look like in the Bronx for Bronx families. COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT: Encouraging health a
nd wellness in our littlest citizens means encouraging environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility over our environment. Roots & Rivers explores our local ecology, and issues affecting our environment. Participants explore the Bronx and Harlem Rivers, research issues of recycling, urban farming & composting, and implement solutions in their communities with measurable results. MINDFUL MOVEMENT: In creating a culture of wellness in the South Bronx particularly, the old prescription of diet and exercise are not enough. What is most missing is MINDFULNESS. In this concentration, Roots & Rivers Kids will explore an introduction to Mindfulness through movement. We will encourage a habit of mindfulness for our kids with daily reflection, age appropriate yoga classes, as well as various dance forms such as hip hop, salsa and capoeira (an afro-brazilian dance form that bring together fitness, fairness, self control, play and culture). FINE ARTS: A focus on the arts encourages self reflection and a more engaging relationship to our environment. This year, Roots & Rivers Kids will explore the fine arts through a study of Poetry & Theater. The poetry component will culminate in a performance and a self published chapbook of poetry by the group. Theater will be examined through a visit to a theatrical production and in application as the group prepares, performs and produces a complete theatrical production. APPLIES SKILLS: Experiences are best integrated when we are able to apply what we’ve learned in the physical world. Roots & Rivers Kids will have the opportunity to bring concepts into reality with our Applied Skills concentration. Through all other components, they will learn skills that will help them develop confidence in their ability to produce: to take an idea and create or present something real. All of these components are designed to provide our Kids with core self-care and mindfulness skills, as well as the confidence to move and engage their environment in a meaningful and inquisitive way.
