Last WildCat Blog of 2010

WildCat Friends -End of The Fall Semester

‘Twas the end of the semester and all through the dining hall stirred happy wildcat friends participants filling up their plates for it was the last meal of the semester. Trading smiles as they passed one another and giggling through their meals, there was a lot of chatter and Christmas cheer. Students knew what was to come, they had waited for weeks. They were about to visit wildcat den and show off their stuff. They had practiced for weeks, getting in the grove. Dancing and singing everyone had some kind of moves. David dressed as Michael, Eva sang out, Kristen danced with Tess and Melissa didn’t lose count. All happy and content we played some pool everyone’s a winner only Mr. T is still a fool.
We loaded on to busses and tour the town heading over to Cole Hall to keep our fun unbound. What a surprise! Who would have thought, Mr. and Mrs. Kane were in our classroom and taught… How to make hot coco as a gift and fun reindeer ornaments!
The class came to an end with a Welch’s champagne toast, a certificate of achievement. You know they came home to boast. Thanks for the great semester!
All of our volunteers will be missed!
Find us next semester you know WILDCAT FRIENDS are the BEST!

Last WildCat Blog of 2010

WildCat Friends Dec 1st 2010

Happy Holidays readers! This is the second to last blog of the semester, we will be finishing up next week December 8th with lots of fun stuff for our recreational pieces as well as the classroom time. This week after departing from the dining hall group two went to their final Kinesiology session at New Hampshire hall. Students warmed up with stretching their bodies and then played some flag tag, flag football style minus the football. Everyone seemed to enjoy this and got people moving after a great lunch at Holloway Commons. Once everyone was feeling good and got their blood flowing the basketballs were broken out. Passing, dribbling and some shooting around began to take place and then it became the battle of the genders, girls vs. boys. Rebounds were adding up and time was flying by. Students finished up by cheering for the Kinesiology students and wishing them luck in the future. We are grateful to have had the chance to work with students Camilla, Melissa, Emily and Kate. Emily and Kate will be back for the spring semester. Also thanks to Michelle Grenier for the great collaboration with Wildcat Friends and the Physical Education students.
Group one went over to the Mub and met with Erin and Kristina, two theater majors who got right down to business. We started off with using the whole room as our stage to move about freely as a dinosaur, dog, someone who was happy or scared. Kristina called out the different objects or people to act out and students responded quickly and very seriously. We then moved on to a statue game that broke us down into two groups. Each group was given a subject that each participant had to attempt to show without words or movement. This gave groups the opportunity to brain storm and figure out how to convey a broad topic like summer to others by using their bodies to show a baseball player, a swimmer, and someone sunbathing. This activity was a big hit and ended our recreational time after 8 or so games.
After a bus trip to Cole Hall, students were greeted by teachers Ann and Justin with Christmas music and a class based around how to stay happy and healthy during the holiday season. The class started off with a group discussion about what the holidays entail and how we can exercise and eat right. We then broke down into groups to really get to the core about what makes for a healthy mind and body. James had the magnificent mention of sleep and just how important it is to keep yourself from getting sick. Class came to an end with Justin reading ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas and everyone went home with a goodie bag filled with healthy items that we could all take advantage of during cold and flu season.
Have a wonderful week and check in next week for our last session at UNH for fall semester.

WildCat 11-17-2010

WILDCAT WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2010

Hey Hello there Wildcat Blog readers. Its time for another weekly update to inform, refresh and entice all those eager brains out there with our off the wall program over at the wonderful, beautiful and amazing UNH. Let me say now that we are so very lucky to have such great volunteers, dorms and organizations. Without you folks we wouldn’t be able to make our program work. Thank you for the support and kindness you give us each and every week. With that being said NOVEMBER 19TH 2010 WILDCAT FRIENDS WILL BE ON NEW HAMPSHIRE CHONICAL AT 7:30 on WMUR ABC channel 9...TUNE IN and prepare to be amazed.

Down to business now, Holloway. What a great place that always has something for everyone. Without a doubt no one leaves with an empty stomach or a bad attitude. Our groups trekked out to the dorms that reside in the woods. Group one went towards the mini dorms and visited with the residents of Richardson’s Hall. There they made Thanksgiving cards, played UNO and had hot chocolate. For our introductions we shared our names and favorite singers which created instant bonds and started the group in on some great conversations. Dave Mathews band seamed to get the most attention out of the group.

Group two went over to visit with the Williamson dorm where they had foosball, bingo and ping pong going. Casey got a group going wild over a friendly game of foosball. While Tess ran some Bingo action for some of the others. Between socializing and getting all pumped up over some fun games the time flew by and students were back hitting the pavement to get over to Cole-Barton hall for some good old fashion brain work.

Class was a blast! Students learned about birds and got a hands on experience with two chickens that walked around the classroom. The chickens were very tame and enjoyed all the love they were given through out the classroom. Only a few “gifts” were left by the chickens but that didn’t seam to upset the students, they were thrilled to have them join in on the class. At the end of class a few Wildcat students chose to share some current events. Kyle found a great article in The New Hampshire, University of New Hampshire’s student run news paper, about fossils that were found in Colorado. These fossils are extremely old and extremely large! Then Anthony shared his experiences while in Italy for two weeks. He was enrolled in an art class and created beautiful pictures from photographs and real life scenery. Great Job Anthony!
Check us out next week for the last blog before Thanksgiving and the dreaded holiday, if you can even call it that, Black Friday. Be well and have a great week!

Howdy WildCat Blog followers. I hope everyone is well and life is sweet. Today at Holloway Commons lunch was quiet but fun. Both groups went to New Hampshire Hall to meet up and all experience some new school style gym games. To start off our rec experience the group did some group stretching and shook out the lazies and jumped into play mode. “GOTCHA!” started the fun. A lot like tag but with a twist. Three people started in the middle of the court with a koosh ball, this ball represented who was “IT.” Camilla, our fearless Kinesiology student, called out different speeds starting off with a walk, then skip and our last cycle ended with a jog to get those heart rates up. The game quickly turned silly as targets were formed and alliances began to take over the lay of the court. We then broke into four groups and set out to stations. The first station was tossing and catching 10lb and 20lb medicine balls. This was done on a mat and really pushed each person to use the squat to work all those muscles. Some used an adaptation, using hands to push the ball back and forth. The next station was jumping over jump ropes that were set up diagonal from each other in groups of two. Some jump ropes started off close to each other and others were spread a few feet apart making a jump more of a leap. The third station ran participants around an obstacle course which had a wedge mat were they were to do a barrel roll then jump up and run back to the starting line. Our final station was a step up, complete with music. Who wants to step up a ton of times without music getting you pumped up? Justin Bieber really got people stepping and dancing on those mats as well as singing! To finish off our time in New Hampshire Hall the Macarena sent us grooving to class.

On our walk to class an ambulance passed us which began the buzz about what was in store for class. We did a little detective work as to why the students thought that the ambulance was coming to their class. The lights and siren were not on, there were no police cars and the ambulance was not speeding. Dead give away to Taylor and Kyle. Upon our arrival to class the EMTs brought in big bags and hand held machines to teach us what sort of materials they may bring to the scene of an accident. We talked 911 and learned how to program our cell phones to help the EMT’s to contact a loved one incase of emergency. I.C.E is a suggested contact many of us programmed into our phone during class. In Case of Emergency helps EMT’s inform and protect you.

When we were done talking about what to do in different situations and appropriate times to call 911 we then took the excitement out side to tour two ambulances. Lights, stretchers and 8 or so EMS personnel assisted in the viewing of the vehicles. AND WHAT A VIEWING IT WAS! We checked out the insides and outsides of those bad boys. The starting rate of a ride in one of the bright light life savers begins at $400 and goes up from there. This was an interesting experience for everyone and maybe made everyone a bit more comfortable with the idea of traveling while being helped by people with big hearts that want us all to be safe.
Until Next time folks!

For information about CPR or Babysitter trainings check out…
MCGREGOREMS.ORG

Spooky WildCats!

Hello Wildcat Friends blog readers! We had such a great line up for both the recreational and class time this week! We began our day at Holloway Commons with fun decorations and a group of four of our favorite lunch ladies dressed to impress. Two of them dressed as gram crackers, one was a marshmallow and you guessed it, one of the ladies was dressed as a Hershey chocolate bar and when combined they were a giant s’more! The rain pretty much left us alone until the very end of our class piece when we got a little crazy outside with plastic water bottles and pumpkins but we’ll get to that!

Group 1 went over to Morse Hall to experience Project 54. This is a program for engineer majors at UNH that gives them the ability to use technology in very real life situations. So real that Project 54 has three different vehicles, two of which are inside Morse Hall and have been turned into simulators. One of the simulators, a State Trooper patrol car, has voice recognition. This gives the driver of the vehicle the opportunity to turn on and off lights as well as make phone calls to other stations.
Students were also able to get their driving skills in check with a car that took them through the elements. The driving simulator took students on the highway, through a snow storm and even a busy city. Students had to use their mirrors, which were also screens that showed real life traffic and pedestrians to maneuver through out the area. The tour ended with students checking out and sitting in the driver seat of a New Hampshire State Trooper patrol car.

please visit
www.project54.unh.edu

Group Two stayed over in the MUB area with Nina, a UNH theater student. During this time our very serious Wildcat Friends acted out, danced and mirrored each other, all done with BIG SMILES, who would have thought! Group Two is definitely our group of actors. One of the activities matched two students who needed to mirror their counterpart. This was silly and loads of fun.
For class Anne and Justin, our Wildcat teachers combined forces for a very spooky class. Students were greeted with music playing, pumpkins glowing and plenty of materials to create there own spooky masks! As class went on the very frightening tails took on life as students broke into groups to write and recite there own nightmares. To end class on a striking note students did some pumpkin bowling in the rain with plastic soda bottles and pumpkins.

WildCat Friends Oct 20Th 2010

Today was a wonderful day all around with the beautiful fall weather, great activities and New Hampshire Chronicle taping an episode for WMUR! The chronicle crew came and met the Wildcat Friends group at the dinning hall were they filmed and interviewed participants and volunteers. Then group one went on to yoga with the wonderful Ruth Abelmann leading us in poses and stretches. The highlight of yoga was when everyone joined in a circle and did the tree pose. This is when you stand straight on one leg and balance your weight while placing your opposite foot on the supporting leg. This tends to create the shape of a four. While students did this in a circle we all joined hands. It was a beautiful thing.
Group two was over at New Hampshire Hall for the indoor rock climbing wall with the kinesiology students. There were two camera crews, UNH kinesiology and WMUR , filming the students climbing together towards the top. Everyone had a great time. It was a great team effort between outdoor education students and physical education students and professors to make this event happen. Everyone was able to help everyone else climb safely and confidently.

Both groups were together for class. We had guest speaker retired DEA Agent Jack Ryan come speak about his experiences as a police officer and DEA agent. He was very fun and animated and kept everything on their toes thinking about how to solve crimes. He had some real life stories that were very interesting. His presentation was enjoyed by all. The NH Chronicles crew filmed part of the class and then finished up with some interviews and headed home. We let everyone know when NH Chronicles will air.

October 13, 2010

Group 1 went to visit Ben Chases dorm today. Ben is one of the Wildcat Friends Staff and lives in Hubbard dorm which is the honors dorm. He loves care packages by the way! In all seriousness though, students made the trek through the side walk behind the dining hall to a hidden dorm surrounded by trees and volleyball courts to get into the groove of the college student life. The students were confronted with both a pool and ping pong table and a flat screen TV in the student lounge. Our students had a fantastic time mingling, playing games of guess who and relaxing on the couches. During this time our very own Kyle took a liking to photography and caught some very interesting and quite beautiful pictures around the lounge. (There is a side show attached of Kyle’s work, please enjoy)
Class time for group 1 resulted in slow motion due to Alison Wilder, expert in Tai Chi. As seen in the photos , Tai Chi is slow, relaxing and requires practice. Students learned and went through the movements along side of Alison and were all very receptive to this new form of exercise.

Group 2
It was the perfect fall afternoon to walk through College Woods in the crisp fall air after eating a hearty meal. The college woods walk took us through piles of brightly colored leaves that had fallen and by a beautiful stream. Conversations with the 15 or so college students that came to hangout from the mini dorms were flowing as the walk ended at our classroom in Cole-Barton.
During class today group two learned about the 5 senses. There were 5 stations set up to learn about the various senses. Activities included tasting jellybeans and deciphering their flavor, playing with light to learn about pupil dilation, listening to sound through a cup and string, smelling various items to figure out what it was, and putting hands in various bags to figure out the object in the bag. There were so many activities, everyone didn’t get through them all. It was very informational and interesting.

Wednesday Oct 6, 2010

The rain came down in buckets today all around the seacoast! At our group meal at Holloway Commons, many of our wildcats took a great liking to the corndog. Group two headed to New Hampshire Hall where they worked off those dogs and practiced catching with their dominate and non-dominate hands. Then students played a game of trashcan where students throw balls in a big circle and two people are inside and try to throw them all out. They then rounded out the games with the chicken dance. We unfortunately did not get pictures of group two today because of a missing memory card for the camera.

Group one had a rough day in the rain. Our outdoor activity was canceled due to the rain and then our plan B, Learn How To Use The Wildcat Bus, did not work as planned. Students reviewed the bus schedule to Newmarket and had to determine where, what time, what run and the amount of time the bus would take to travel to Newmarket and drop students off at Cole Hall for class. This was a flop when the bus to Newmarket was running 13 minutes behind and we were standing in the pouring rain. We then got confused and thought the bus to Newmarket was completely full. We decided not to get on. As we were walking back to Union Court, the completely empty bus to Newmarket went by us. Oh well. We ended with a hot chocolate so everyone was happy.

During class today groups one and two were combined with Suzanne and Anne for a theater style class. There were four groups and each broke down to do an activity based on acting. To begin class students were given a costume to show what its really like to get “into character” students really enjoyed this piece! Especially when wigs and facemasks were involved. Class came to a reluctant end with some lovely High School Musical karaoke.

September 29th 2010

After a wonderful dinner at Holloway Commons, groups one and two joined together for the days recreational piece. When our early birds arrive on the bus at 2:30 at UNH we congregate in the food court and either play UNO or read The New Hampshire (TNH), UNH’s student run news paper. The articles are funny and enjoyable and the pictures capture UNH at its finest. The wildcat students love the newspapers and typically bring them home to share. Today’s recreational component involved a tour and talk with the Editor of The New Hampshire and a visit to the UNH billiards room. Students asked inquisitive questions involving previous stories, how the paper gets printed and most importantly who are the famous people that have been in the newspaper. While one group was visiting the TNH the other was playing pool, ping pong and Wii and dancing to WUNH in the billiards room.

During class today group 1 learned about Music Expression. Susanne played the students a large array of music from all over the world including Luciano Pavarotti, Louis Armstong and Will Smith. Students were able to write, draw and rate their musical interest as well as express themselves through dance. There was a lot of dancing, especially when Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” was played.

Group 2 was on a different note exploring nature and seedlings that are in their prime during the fall months. Acorn squash, Brussels sprouts and pumpkins were a focus today as well as other perennials that students extracted seeds from and took home to plant for the spring. Using organic matter students also made terrariums for two newts to live in. It was a perfect fall themed class followed by cake to celebrate Ann Kane’s birthday.

Wednesday, September 22nd

After our regular feast in Holloway Commons, Group 1 walked the short distance to Gibbs Hall. This Dorm is lucky enough to have two full basketball courts and a volleyball court. Today after splitting into two groups we played knock out and a full court game while the other group played charades and wax museum. We then took the gables connector to Cole Hall for our class piece and learned about boundaries and each student was given a copy of the group poem, What a friend is.

Group 2 went off to New Hampshire hall for soccer drills and games. Each student was showing off their athletic abilities and really worked hard to keep their ball under control. In class the students talked about autumnal equinox and photosynthesis. During this time students broke into groups to look at chloroform under the microscope. The students really enjoyed the science aspect of class today.

Group 1 WildCat Friends

Happy fall readers! Everyone enjoyed lunch at Holloway Commons then split into two groups to spend their recreational time with two dorms on campus. Group 1 went to visit Scott Hall, a dorm which has a beautiful green for rec activities such as croquet. The UNH students set up zany courses and then taught us how to hold and swing the mallets. Then to enjoy the cool fall night group 1 walked to class over in Cole Hall. During class students identified the meaning of friendship and other relationships they have in their lives. One student said this class gave him a new way to approach friendships and was very excited this subject was addressed.

WildCat Friends Group 2

September 15th 2010
Group 2 joined Alexander hall for a huge game of kickball. Between the UNH students and Wildcat Friends students we had three teams going for the win. Everyone was very enthusiastic and played hard. After sweating, running and competing against one another, group 2 took the Gables connector bus over to Cole hall for class. The class started off as a discussion on manners during which Holly, Tess and Kathleen interrupted to show the significance of undesired behaviors. Talking on the cell phone, eating and smacking food while talking to others and interrupting others while speaking were just a few things that group 2 found to be inappropriate. Students then broke into groups to find that manners do matter with role playing and addressing the correct way to respond to others when these situations occur.

Welcome back Wildcat Friends!

We’re back at it for year two at UNH, with two groups and a few new faces! Welcome Brian, Mary Helen, Scott and Anthony! Group One went to visit President Huddleston’s office and had a surprise meet and greet and a photo with President Huddleston while in his beautiful office. After group one went to the horse barns and had time to see Nick, the horse, take a quick bath and ask Portia, a UNH riding student, some questions. Our classroom is right next to the horse barns in Thompson School- Barton Hall. There students worked on a collage about their likes and dislikes and presented them to the class in a get to know you fashion. Then Susan, Group One’s teacher asked the students what they are interested in learning about this semester. Students ideas ranged from paleontology, mammals, and weather. Looks to be a great start to the Wildcat Friends 2010-2011 year!

Group 1. 3-3-2010

After dinner the group went over to New Hampshire Hall where they warmed up with some triangle tag then the UNH students put together a mini Olympics with 3 events. There was the luge and curling, and chair hockey. Everyone seemed to enjoy the events that got all their energy out. They ended with a group stretch and talked about the importance of stretching before and after exercising. At Nesmith, the class started off with a discussion on sleep and healthy habits. Ann handed out a study based on Jane, and her habits regarding sleep, eating, exercise. Students took turns reading out loud about Jane and as a group they picked out her poor habits and then replaced them with good habits. Ann ended class with some group relaxation.

Group 2 3-3-2010

Group 2
Group two learned about wheel chairs and how they can help support individuals with disabilities to accomplish every day activities. Students were given the opportunity to test out a few chairs that assist in sports such as basketball. The group was then split down to three groups for Jeopardy with topics that everyone could relate to. To wrap up the activity before moving onto class the students were given the opportunity to communicate what they enjoyed about the recreational piece with out words. Chelsea and Kate, our UNH students, introduced a ball with pictures of what they offered during the sessions. Students enjoyed matching their favorite activity on the ball and sharing it with others. At Nesmith, Lidieth brought our attention over to animals and their habitats. After a discussion about habitats, students were able to make a guess as to what the animal would eat and what kingdom they belonged to.

Wildcat Friends Group 2

Group Two
Group Two expressed who they are through art expressions with Brandon and Brianne, two of our UNH students. The group started with some movement by playing a game. A statement was made and each person had to decide if they supported it or not by forming groups of who agreed and disagreed with a statement. Some of the statements were “I use art to express myself” and “Dogs are better than cats.” Then the group went on to use art supplies in an expression piece to show who they truly are with a few guidelines. Students needed to share their favorite color, where they would like to visit in the future and the type of job they are interested in. Students had magazines, paint, markers, pencils and stamps to use during this project. After everyone shared and learned more about one another. During class students learned of portions sizes and how to read nutrition facts. Students were pretty surprised to learn how much sugar was in some of their favorite items.

Wildcat Friends 2-24

Group 1

Staying out of the rain was the theme to Wednesday afternoon’s Wildcat Friends experience. Like many other UNH students hiding out in the MUB was on most minds. Kelly and Casey lead a scavenger hunt throughout the MUB having students find common areas as well as specific items like the MUB newspaper, which is entitled the “Toilet Paper.”

Despite the nasty rain Group One was able to visit the UNH Observatory in two groups during the class piece. The Observatory was small and filled with instruments and other materials used to investigate our out side universe. Unfortunately the groups were not able to see the stars through the telescope, but Rich Woolf was able to show many different things with other equipment and computers. The first and third Saturday of each month Mr. Wolf holds sessions, open to the public, to view the stars. He invites everyone to come.

Wildcat Friends Group 1

Group 1
The rock climbing wall brought out the adventurous side in everyone on Wednesday at UNH. Mixed emotions of excitement and fear of heights were over come by pure bliss after each Wildcat Friends student took their turn at the wall with success. The students first tried the wall with a team of spotters behind them, then went on to the full harness and helmet and were belayed down after they climbed to the top. Everyone seamed very pleased with themselves for overcoming fears and pursuing something they may not have had a chance to do unless at Hampshire Hall. Class at Nesmith involved discussions around friendships and good choice making. Class ended with everyone making friendship bracelets.

Wildcat Friends Group 2

GROUP 2
After a lovely dinner at Holloway Commons group 2 headed over to The Mills, a dorm on campus were they learned how to make Muddy Buddies and worked on homemade stationary. This was followed by a ride around the UNH campus on the Gables connector bus which let us off right in front of Nesmith for class. During class Lidieth taught the importance of the food pyramid and lead a very interesting discussion on whether the egg was a meat, being a protein, or a dairy product. This kept the class on their toes as well as is the tomato, a fruit of vegetable? Portions sizes were also shocking, a serving side of meat should be a deck of cards!

Welcome Group 2 to WIldCat Friends!

We are pleased to welcome Group Two to Wildcat Friends. The afternoon started off at Holloway Commons for some socializing and great food. After dinner the group broke down into three smaller groups for a scavenger hunt to explore the UNH campus and downtown Durham. Each student was able to pick out their own UNH tee-shirt at Hayden Sports. The hunt ended at Nesmith were class takes place. Upon arriving at Nesmith, each group shared were they went and who they saw around campus. Class, taught by Lidieth Guindon, began at 5:30. Activities helped the students get acquainted. At the end of class, everyone participated in a team building activity by building a structure using tinker toys. The bus ride home went great and everyone left with smiles. See you all next week!

WildCat FRIENDS 2-3-2010

WELCOME BACK EVERYONE! It was a great day over at UNH. We ate and reconnected with each other at Holloway Commons Dinning hall. We then went over to New Hampshire Hall and met with Sean and a few of the Physical Education students to play some games and do team building. We first played a passing name game then moved on to triangle tag which everyone really enjoyed. After a water break and a short walk across the street to Nesmith Hall, Anne Kane, this semesters teacher passed out WILDCAT FRIENDS agenda books and added in some of the friends projects activities. The students also discussed some subjects that interested them the most and talked about the February 24th trip to the The UNH Observatory.

Last day of Class! It was a great semester. Everyone received a certificate of completion. See you all next semester.

Wildcat Friends Week 10