Periwinkle Foundation

Bounce to Facebook and Raise Money for Periwinkle!

ajean — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:43:57 +0000

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Make it a Splendid Week – “I Don’t Give Up”

eoverhouse — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:00:43 +0000

Determination helps me forgive all my mistakes

Determination makes me explode with ambition

Determination whisper for me to succeed

Determination will help me defeat my competitors

Determination will help me bolt to the finish line

Determination is always playing in my mind

Determination helps me write out my path

Determination will die if I give up

By Amy, 15

Summer 2012

“Make It A Splendid Week” is a weekly post featuring a poem from one of our talented young authors in The Splendid Review.

Learn more about The Splendid Review and The Periwinkle Foundation’s Arts & Creative Writing Program or like The Splendid Review on Facebook

To request a printed copy of The Splendid Review email Erin Overhouse at eoverhouse@periwinklefoundation.org

The post Make it a Splendid Week – “I Don’t Give Up” appeared first on Periwinkle Foundation.

Camp YOLO – Reflections From a First Time Counselor

ajean — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:21:54 +0000

I walked up to the camp bus thinking, “What did I just get myself into?” I was intimidated. Would these kids hate me because I enforced the rules or would they walk all over me because I wanted to be “the cool counselor”? I was told various times how much I would love being involved, but I still had doubts. I volunteered to chaperone the bus so I could get more of a feel for how excited the campers were and get a vibe for camp before I even arrived. The moment we took off, the energy for Camp YOLO was tangible. The kids squirmed in their seats with pure joy.

The second I stepped off the bus I knew this weekend would be life changing. The campers were running to previous counselors, jumping and hugging them. The counselors were looking for their campers from camps before, curious to see how they were doing. My excitement grew realizing I would eventually be one of those counselors campers ran to.

From the time we arrived our activities were planned and carried out by trained staff. I was relieved to know the activities didn’t depend on my ability or knowledge. My favorite memories are from holding hands and skipping with the campers to the different areas of the camp and encouraging participation in every activity presented to us. Camp For All truly is “no boundaries”. No activity was out of reach for anyone. The campers are a great example of living life to the fullest. In our group we had kids with various levels of strength. Some had trouble walking, one was blind, and some were pushed to their limits physically and mentally. There was no complaining, ever. I’ve never met a group of teenagers so optimistic and just happy to be living life.

They opened up about their worries at school, their families, likes and dislikes, and, of course, boys. Their medical diagnosis was far from their minds. Camp YOLO truly lets these kids have a weekend away from the pressure of their medical issues but an atmosphere to bond with kids their age experience hardships close to their own.

As we boarded the bus to leave, tears were shed. I couldn’t believe how fast my love for these kids grew. I didn’t want to say goodbye for six months. My campers slowly meandered off the bus and into the arms of their parents. I found myself grasping for the feelings of camp to continue. I downloaded camp songs from morning aerobics and Saturday’s big dance in the car before I even left the parking garage.

It’s hard to put into words the way I felt at Camp YOLO. It was the BEST weekend of my life. I truly think every person should volunteer for Camp YOLO to experience for themselves the pure bliss of working with youth in such an amazing venue.

YOLO isn’t an excuse to make bad or irresponsible choices. It means making your life worth living, something to be remembered for, changing the world. This camp and these kids are truly living life to the fullest and forging paths that will change the world.

- Sara

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Make it a Splendid Week – “Swish”

eoverhouse — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:00:18 +0000

Riding my bike

with my brother

in my front yard

I feel really happy

Because I go fast

Swish

I’m gone!

By Fernando, age 8

Winter 2012

“Make It A Splendid Week” is a weekly post featuring a poem from one of our talented young authors in The Splendid Review.

Learn more about The Splendid Review and The Periwinkle Foundation’s Arts & Creative Writing Program or like The Splendid Review on Facebook

To request a printed copy of The Splendid Review email Erin Overhouse at eoverhouse@periwinklefoundation.org

The post Make it a Splendid Week – “Swish” appeared first on Periwinkle Foundation.

Make it a Splendid Week – “I Finally Found my Hobby”

eoverhouse — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:00:05 +0000

Sunday afternoon

I find an old basketball

is this my hobby?

The ball was flat

dingy, stinky scuffs on it

that still didn’t stop my day

shoot the heavy ball

it falls into the net, swoosh

I love basketball

By Ali, age 13

Fall 2010

“Make It A Splendid Week” is a weekly post featuring a poem from one of our talented young authors in The Splendid Review.

Learn more about The Splendid Review and The Periwinkle Foundation’s Arts & Creative Writing Program or like The Splendid Review on Facebook

To request a printed copy of The Splendid Review email Erin Overhouse at eoverhouse@periwinklefoundation.org

The post Make it a Splendid Week – “I Finally Found my Hobby” appeared first on Periwinkle Foundation.

Make it a Splendid Week – “The Color Pink”

eoverhouse — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:00:29 +0000

The color pink

makes me wink!

I think about it

all the time.

It’s not a lime!

It’s pink,

of course.

Not a horse!

Just pink.

Blink!

By Sarah, age 7

Summer 2007

“Make It A Splendid Week” is a weekly post featuring a poem from one of our talented young authors in The Splendid Review.

Learn more about The Splendid Review and The Periwinkle Foundation’s Arts & Creative Writing Program or like The Splendid Review on Facebook

To request a printed copy of The Splendid Review email Erin Overhouse at eoverhouse@periwinklefoundation.org

The post Make it a Splendid Week – “The Color Pink” appeared first on Periwinkle Foundation.

Make it a Splendid Week – “Roar”

eoverhouse — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:00:19 +0000

Once there was a dinosaur that said, “Roar!” He stomped around and ate mashed potato. He kissed his mama, and his mama said, “I love you so much!” Then the dinosaur said, “Somebody is going to take me fishing.” (Someone is going to take ME fishing too). The dinosaur went to a lake to fish and then he went home to sleep.

By Jonathan, age 4

Winter 2012

“Make It A Splendid Week” is a weekly post featuring a poem from one of our talented young authors in The Splendid Review.

Learn more about The Splendid Review and The Periwinkle Foundation’s Arts & Creative Writing Program or like The Splendid Review on Facebook

To request a printed copy of The Splendid Review email Erin Overhouse at eoverhouse@periwinklefoundation.org

The post Make it a Splendid Week – “Roar” appeared first on Periwinkle Foundation.

Make it a Splendid Week – “The Dragon and the Firefly”

eoverhouse — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:00:12 +0000

Far, far away in a magical land where dragons and fairies and unicorns and wizards lived, there lived a firefly that was fiery. Everything was in bloom and it was always spring there.

One day the firefly named Spark flew away to a deserted land to prove that he was brave enough to slay the most terrifying dragon. When Spark arrived at the deserted land, he started looking for the dragon. About an hour afterwards he heard this horrible growling sound from a cave above. When Spark heard the noise, he jumped with fright and hid behind a rock. After a few minutes, he took a deep breath and finally realized what he was there for.

Then he flew up to the cave and saw a terrifying green dragon that was half the size of the rodeo rink at Reliant Stadium. Spark was surprised for a moment but he flew up to the terrifying dragon and poked him. Then the dragon opened his piercing yellow eyes and gave a great roar and said, “Who disturbs my slumber?” And then, the firefly jumped behind a rock once again. But then surprisingly, the dragon walked up to the tiny firefly and said, “Are you alright?” And the firefly said, “you aren’t going to hurt me, are you?” The dragon said, “No, I’m not going to hurt you but will you be my friend?” The Firefly said in a quivering voice, “Ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-yess!” The Dragon said, “oh yes! My First Friend!” The Firefly said, “Well, I have to get home, but maybe you can come back with me to the valley.”

A few days passed and they arrived at the valley and when they did, everyone was shocked. But suddenly they changed their minds and lived happily ever after.

Danielle, Raymie, and Chloe, age 9

Fall 2006 Edition

“Make It A Splendid Week” is a weekly post featuring a poem from one of our talented young authors in The Splendid Review.

Learn more about The Splendid Review and The Periwinkle Foundation’s Arts & Creative Writing Program or like The Splendid Review on Facebook

To request a printed copy of The Splendid Review email Erin Overhouse at eoverhouse@periwinklefoundation.org

The post Make it a Splendid Week – “The Dragon and the Firefly” appeared first on Periwinkle Foundation.

Make it a Splendid Week – “If”

eoverhouse — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:00:46 +0000

If I could drive

I’d drive a truck

It would be red

And its wheels

Would be big

I’d go fast in my

Truck, and I’d drive to McDonald’s and

buy a hamburger

and eat it inside

my truck.

Alex, age 7

Summer 2012 Edition

“Make It A Splendid Week” is a weekly post featuring a poem from one of our talented young authors in The Splendid Review.

Learn more about The Splendid Review and The Periwinkle Foundation’s Arts & Creative Writing Program or like The Splendid Review on Facebook

To request a printed copy of The Splendid Review email Erin Overhouse at eoverhouse@periwinklefoundation.org

The post Make it a Splendid Week – “If” appeared first on Periwinkle Foundation.

Make it a Splendid Week – “Dancing, Dancing, Dancing”

eoverhouse — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:00:20 +0000

I hear the beat

The music is alive

Swirling, twirling

I feel it in my bones

My feet move

Jumping toward the sun

Jaslynn, age 11

Summer 2012 Edition

“Make It A Splendid Week” is a weekly post featuring a poem from one of our talented young authors in The Splendid Review.

Learn more about The Splendid Review and The Periwinkle Foundation’s Arts & Creative Writing Program or like The Splendid Review on Facebook

To request a printed copy of The Splendid Review email Erin Overhouse at eoverhouse@periwinklefoundation.org

The post Make it a Splendid Week – “Dancing, Dancing, Dancing” appeared first on Periwinkle Foundation.