When projects mesh: three programs in one

Some clubs do the Terrific Kids program.

Some clubs Read Around the World.

Some clubs sponsors Key Clubs.

Some clubs do all three.

The Kiwanis Club of Mauston, Wisconsin, meshed them all together into one service conglomeration: a weekend, sleepover carnival.

The Read Around the World sleepover rewarded Westside Elementary School’s Terrific Kids for working hard with their teachers on developing leadership characteristics.

At 5 p.m. on a Friday, students arrived at the school gym with sleeping bags, flashlights, pajamas, sack lunches, and books. The 134 students were divided into 14 groups, which were led by 33 adults, including Mauston Kiwanians and Mauston High School Key Club members.

Every 30 minutes, groups would switch stations—from reading to an activity and then to reading again. In addition to spending time with Pooh, Madeline, and Harry Potter, the students juggled basketballs, danced the bunny hop and chicken dance with a deejay, listened to a storyteller’s tales, and snacked on Key Club-baked cookies before heading off for bed.

“The night ended with 30 minutes of reading by flashlight, before the gym lights were turned off,” says project manager Jean Bonney. “A few ‘I have to go to the bathroom,’ coughing spells, and giggling began, but all were fast asleep by midnight.”

At 6 a.m., the students awoke, ate breakfast, received their Terrific Kids certificates, and went home to tell their moms and dads stories about their Kiwanis and Key Club Terrific Kids/Read Around the World sleepover