W ould you rather vandalize old buildings or go caving?

At Georgetown's After School Action Program, juvenile delinquency and substance abuse have some tough competitors. Here, middle school students can choose between classes like rock climbing, web design, martial arts, and scientific exploration, to name but a few activities. With choices like these, who has time for making trouble?

Their guide came in the form of the TEES Center for Community Support (CCS), whose grant writers helped the Georgetown Project successfully submit a 5-year grant for $498,830.

"Once you're successful, it increases your confidence and makes you realize that you have a story to tell," says Director Barbara Pearce. "What we expected was that CCS would come down and write the grant for us, but it was a partnership. They really helped teach us about the process. We learned how to be realistic in our goals."

"It's a unique program," says Program Director Stacy Whittenton. "I've never heard of anything that offered so many activities or had so many people from the community involved. We have actual artists who come teach mural painting classes. One guy teaches a raft-making class where they have to float the rafts at the end."

As you look around and see the enthusiasm of the 116 kids who participate in the program, it is hard to believe that five years ago there was no after school program for youth. The Georgetown Project was born in 1997 when community members agreed that their growing community lacked safe activities for youths and decided put together an after school program. The need was clear; the plan was set. The coalition was a perfect candidate for federal funding. All they needed was a guide.

Being realistic in their goals doesn't stop the Georgetown Project staff from dreaming big things for their students. As Whittenton points out, the program encourages students to take on leadership roles and get involved in community service projects.

"There are those kids that step up to the plate and become leaders," says Whittenton. "For example, we have an annual food drive for a local non-profit that is planned and run by students, from start to finish."

"Our programs stretch and challenge the kids," she continues. "There's something here for every child."

TEES Center for Community Support Phone: 979-458-3239 http://ccs.tamu.edu