RDA's newest youth program, R.O.C.K. (which stands for "Rosedale Organization for Community Kids"), wrapped up its first semester in operation with a Family Fun Night on Dec. 13. Nearly 40 people - youth participants, parents, siblings, relatives, volunteers, and staff - attended the event.

R.O.C.K. is a weekly after-school program for 11-15-year-olds. The program, which currently has 12 youth enrolled, engages youth in group and individual activities that are designed to teach teamwork, integrity, respect, self-esteem, appropriate conflict resolution, and social skills. There are also occasional field trips and guest speakers.

In preparation for Family Fun Night, the youth and staff made lots and lots of cookies, including several dozen each of chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and peanut butter. The youth also decorated pre-made sugar cookies. Later, after parents and other relatives arrived, everyone enjoyed the cookies and drank milk and hot chocolate.

Staff and youth also talked with parents about the R.O.C.K. program - its purpose, structure, and typical weekly activities. Parents learned about the "Full-Value Contract," which is a set of mutually agreed-upon rules and guidelines for the group's time together. The youth also demonstrated one of the games they play - "Grab the Tails," which is essentially a modified form of tag - and then, everyone - parents included - participated in an initiative activity called "Balloon Trolley."

R.O.C.K. grew out of the former Rosedale Youth Academy and Rosedale Knights Chess Club, both of which are no longer functioning. Sensing that there was still a need in the Rosedale community for a quality after-school program, especially for middle-school-aged children, RDA planted the seeds for a new program. Thanks to new volunteers and a new vision, the R.O.C.K. program was born.

R.O.C.K. is being evaluated through a participant survey, which was given to the youth at the beginning of the program last October and will again be given at the end of the program next May. The hope is that the evaluation will show the effectiveness of R.O.C.K. in improving self-esteem and social skills in the youth participants, and that the program can then be expanded.

The program is led by an RDA staff member (Joel Goering), a Rosedale Community Project-KU social work student (Lora Swartzendruber), and three community volunteers (Sarah Stueve, Suong Nguyen, Matthew Murray).