Caroline Wygal

My last day volunteering with SOAR was very meaningful but also emotional. Many of the girls in the cheer group were asking if I would be at their performance the next day, and it made me really sad to tell them that I wouldn’t be able to attend. It was clear that the relationships built during the program meant a lot to them. The day was especially emotional for many of the kids because this was the final SOAR program and they will not be having it next semester. You could tell that the program had become something they really looked forward to each week, and it was hard for them to say goodbye. This experience reminded me how important programs like SOAR are for children. They provide not only fun activities but also consistency, encouragement, and positive relationships. Volunteering with SOAR was incredibly rewarding, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to spend time with the kids and be part of such a supportive environment.

Volunteering with SOAR this semester was a really fun and meaningful experience. I spent most of my time hanging out with Group 4 and the cheer group, helping with activities and just spending time with the kids. I enjoyed getting to know them, encouraging them, and being part of such a positive environment. It was rewarding to see how excited they were during activities and to be able to support them throughout the program. Overall, it was a great experience that allowed me to connect with the kids and be part of something special.

Today at SOAR I started out outside before going to hang out with the cheer group. The girls in the cheer group got to have suckers today as a fun little reward, which they were really excited about. After that I went with Group Four and spent some time reading with them. Later I went with them to dinner in the cafeteria. It was a good time getting to talk with the girls and spend time with them throughout the different activities.

Volunteering with the SOAR program continues to be a really enjoyable experience for me. When I got there, I spent some time hanging out with the cheer group and catching up with the girls, which is always fun because many of them recognize me and are comfortable talking and joking around. After that, I broke off with group four, which had a lot of the same girls in it, so it felt easy to jump right in and spend time with them. The girls were excited to talk, hang out, and just enjoy the evening together. They also got to spend some time outside for dinner because the cafeteria is currently being painted, and they really seemed to enjoy being outside and having a different environment. Overall, it was another great evening at SOAR, and I really enjoy getting to spend time with the girls and continuing to build those relationships with them.

During my time volunteering at the SOAR after-school care program, I had the opportunity to spend time with different groups of kids and help with a variety of activities. I first broke off with the cheer group and helped them practice stunting and work on learning some of their cheers. It was really fun to see how excited they were to practice and how they encouraged each other while they were learning. After that, I joined another group of students who were watching Percy Jackson since they had been reading it together. It was cool to see them connect the movie to the book and talk about the characters and scenes they recognized. Overall, the experience reminded me how important after-school programs are for giving kids a space to explore their interests, work together, and enjoy learning in different ways.

Volunteering with SOAR was a really meaningful experience for me. During this session, the kids were split into different activity groups so they could interact with children of different ages instead of just staying with others in their grade. I was placed with the cheer group, where I helped teach the girls some basic cheer moves. It was a lot of fun getting to encourage them, watch their confidence grow, and see how excited they were to learn something new. Moments like this reminded me how important it is to create positive, supportive environments where kids can try new things, connect with others, and just enjoy being themselves.

Volunteering at the SOAR afterschool program, even though I have only been there twice so far, has already been a meaningful experience. I’ve enjoyed spending time with the kids, helping with activities, and getting to know their personalities. It’s been rewarding to be part of a positive environment where students feel supported and encouraged. These experiences have helped me build confidence in working with children and strengthened my interest in continuing to volunteer and make a difference.

My first day volunteering with SOAR was such a great experience. I spent most of my time with the kids in Group 4, and it was so much fun getting to know them and their personalities. We spent time talking, playing, and just hanging out, which helped me start building connections with them. It was really rewarding to see how welcoming and energetic the kids were, and it made the experience even more enjoyable. Overall, it was a great introduction to the program and made me excited to keep coming back and spending more time with them.