Local elementary students get special experience with Ventura College Field Day
VENTURA - More than 500 students from the City of Ventura after school programs participated in a unique college experience on Wednesday April 11 when they visited the Ventura College campus for the inaugural Field Day event. Hosted by the VC Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, this event gave students the opportunity to interact with student athletes, ask questions about college life, and spend the afternoon on campus.
In addition to fun-activities and games, Field Day allowed coaches and college student athletes (many of whom attended local schools) to share their collegiate sports and real-life experiences with the next generation. "Ventura College is excited to share the energy and excitement of this event with over 500 future Pirates," stated Will Cowen, Ventura College Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Over the past three years, VC Athletics has partnered with the City's Program Enrichment for After-School Kids (PEAK) and After-School Enrichment & Safety (ASES) programs in a three-phase project:
Phase One: The Ventura College student-athletes and coaches made more than 24 visits to the after-school programs each Fall.
Phase Two: PEAK and ASES students made field trips to Ventura College athletic events including football, basketball, volleyball, soccer contests, pregame festivities, and cheering on the VC Pirates.
Phase Three: The project came to fruition on Field Day Wednesday at VC.
"Community support is an important component for student success. The City of Ventura is thankful to all of our partners for investing in the future of Ventura students," stated Mario Robinson, City of Ventura Youth Programs Supervisor.
The City of Ventura Parks, Recreation and Community Partnerships Department partners with the Ventura Unified School District and the Ventura Police Activities League to provide safe and supervised after-school education through its PEAK and ASES programs.
Field Day is a partnership between the City of Ventura Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships Department, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Ventura College, Ventura Police Community Foundation, Ventura Unified School District (VUSD), and Denny's Restaurant.
(Ventura College Athletics)