.jpg)
Eagle Lake nonprofit Creative Spaces Outreach launched a new weekly Sip and Study night for students of all ages, Thursday, Jan. 15, at Moonside Macaron.
Students enjoyed hot chocolate and snacks provided by Creative Spaces Outreach while working on homework from 4–7 p.m. Moonside Macaron co-owner David Burkhalter organized the start of Creative Spaces Outreach to create free community engagement spaces and events especially for kids. Burkhalter said the new study night “went very well.”
“One of the big benefits of hosting a variety of kids is we have some kids that are very Spanish fluent, so they are able to help out some of the other kids with their Spanish stuff,” Burkhalter said.
Sip and Study is geared towards middle and high schoolers but also welcomes elementary students. Burkhalter said the program will also include volunteer tutors to assist students. Currently, Sip and Study has one math tutor, but Burkhalter is seeking more volunteers, “really whoever who can show up.”
“Right now, I think mostly what we are looking for is going to be like people to help out with science and history subjects,” Burkhalter said. “Languages is a little more difficult to find tutors on because those are more specific.”
Burkhalter said Sip and Study is Creative Spaces Outreach’s revitalized attempt at an after-school program. The nonprofit struggled with finding a consistent location and more complex details.
“Then we kind of realized, why not do what we can, where we can, when we can,” Burkhalter said.
Moonside Macaron also hosts a weekly Anime Night and Game Night. Burkhalter said the events host an average of five to seven regulars with fluctuations. He said many kids have cultivated a “casual environment where the kids can be themselves.”
“We have a number of kids that started off with us very quiet…and we now see those same kids leading conversations, driving topics, and it’s a beautiful thing to watch,” Burkhalter said. “…Making those friendships with other outgoing kids really pulls a lot of them out of their shell, which is great.”
