Dream Outside the Box

"Green Eggs & Ham"--Intro Week 2011

2011-09-29T15:20:00.000-07:00

Some of our Dance Outside the Box students!

Kelsey helping a DOTB'er with her vision board.

The first week of Dream Outside the Box 2011 was all about trying new things and getting to know new people! Our activity of the day was vision boards. Kids and volunteers scoured through magazines trying to find the perfect pictures to portray their "vision". The first day acted as a chance for all of the new Boys and Girls Club children to get to know all of DOTB's 2011 volunteers, and it was such a success! So many new friendships were made. Dream Outside the Box has a lot of great things coming up this year including DANCE OUTSIDE THE BOX. It's a new program we are holding with Missouri Contemporary Ballet. We provide dance classes for ten DOTB'ers each week. At the end of the semester, we will hold a dance recital! Stay tuned for updates on everything we have in store!

Week 4-- Aerials, Badminton, and Archery!!

2010-10-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

Dream Outside the Box began the week with Badminton. The MU Women's Badminton Club came and gave half of the kids' a lesson in the sport. We had such a big group of children this week that we had to split the kids up and do two events. The second half of kids created a gymnastics/dance routine using the DOTB tumbling mats. You can find a video of the routine on our facebook page, just search for Dream Outside the Box and look for our logo!.

On Friday, we headed over to the Teen Center for a day with MU Archery! The kids shot bows and arrows (yes, real bows and real arrows) at a wall of hay and attempted to hit balloons. It was a wonderful opportunity, the kids did so well, some shot three, even four balloons! At the end of the day, we had a competition between the Dream Outside the Box volunteers, with Mr. Eric winning with two balloons shot. Check out an entire album of pictures from Archery Day on our Facebook page!

Week 3-- Personal Finance and Rugby. Oh, and Ice Cream!!!

2010-10-21T17:39:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

Sorry it's been such a long time since we updated you all on our progress, we've been going through midterms around Mizzou and it's been kind of crazy. Please remember you can always find us on facebook or twitter for DOTB info as well.

Week three began with an Ice Cream and Personal Finance Day. The kids were given an amount of money to begin with ($15) and had to earn more money in order to buy the ingredients needed to make their own ice cream. ($35) The kids earned money by completing Dream Outside the Box-esque tasks, such as writing down their dreams and something they enjoyed doing in Dream Outside the Box. They could earn extra money by being on their best behavior or answering one of Ms. Maikieta's DOTB trivia questions! Then they could get extras on their ice cream, like flavors, sprinkles, or even M&M's. Overall, the kids learned money management, decision making, and teamwork. By the end of the day, children were giving money to others in need and helping each other out with Ms. Maikieta's difficult questions. The event wasn't meant to be a team exercise, but we always encourage teamwork among the kids. The day was great, even if it ended a little messy.

If you want to see all of our pictures, check out our facebook page for an entire album's worth!

A couple kids trying to answer Ms. Maikieta's trivia questions.

Ms. Bre and a few of the kids showing off their "cash".

"What is your dream?" "...To run my own shoe company."

On Friday, the MU Women's Rugby Club Sport team came out and gave our kids a lesson in rugby. The kids enjoyed learning about the international sport and had a great time. This was a continuation of our Alternative Athletic Series.

Week 2, Sabres and the Great Pumpkin.

2010-10-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

En guarde...ready...fence!

That was the sound on the playground as Dream Outside the Box ushered in the second week of our second year. MU Fencing Club came back for a second time, after being in high demand by many DOTB kids. The children observed as they were taught key fencing terms, then watched duels between Fencing Club members. They were very animated about the duels, cheering for their favorites and even demanding rematches. We ended the day with a fun game of Fencing Simon Says. We will post pictures as soon as we have them available. Videos from this day are coming soon as well!

Peachtree Farm

On Friday of Week 2, DOTB took 30 children to the Peachtree Farm in Boonville. We had a great volunteer turnout, and between BGC workers and Dream Outside the Boxers, each child was allowed personal attention and interaction. Upon arrival, the kids took a hayride tour, then the tractor dropped everyone off at the pumpkin patch. Everybody picked out a personal pumpkin, some impatient volunteers even ripped theirs right from the vine! Afterwards, some kids went through the corn maze while others visited the different animals on the farm. It was all great fun and an amazing way for everyone to end their week.

Tori, Tia, and Thaddeus in the pumpkin patch.

Jahiarra and a few of the girls on the hayride.

Awesome Dream Outside the Box volunteers.

The volunteers, kids, and everyone's funniest face!

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @dotb_org!

Look for our fan page soon on Facebook!

And keep checking out the website for the newest information!

dreamoutsidethebox.org

See y'all next week!

Snakes, Oh My!

2010-09-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

The new Dream Outside the Box year slithered on to a fantastic start on Thursday, September 23rd as men from the MU Herpetological Society brought a few "friends" to share with the children of DOTB, educating them and alleviating their fears. Initial fears were swept away by snakes, lizards and their helpers. DOTB Founder, Kam Phillips, was most proud of the children's insightful questions and hunger to learn more. MU Herpetological Society President, Quentin Hall, has dedicated his life to sharing their rockin' reptiles with the world, even rescuing those who have been mistreated or neglected. If you'd like to learn more about the MU Herpetological Society visit, http://www.muherpsociety.com/

Pictures from Etiquette Day (Launch of DOTB 2010)

2010-02-03T07:21:00.001-08:00

First Meeting of the Year!!!!!!

2010-01-20T16:02:00.000-08:00

Hey DOTB-ers!

We hope everyone enjoyed their winter breaks and are starting off the spring semester strong! With the new semester brings new ideas and our FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR!!!! The meeting will be held in Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union at 7:30 pm on January 20th, 2010. We encourage new members to join us and old members to come prepared with ideas!

See You Guys There!!!

Conclusion to the September Series.

2009-10-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

WE DID IT! We have made it through the first series of Dream Outside the Box! The September series, The Language of Learning, allowed the children at the Boys and Girls Club of Columbia to learn new activities and broaden their vernacular by learning new languages. To end the series, the children learned all about the competitive sport of fencing, while incorporating the Spanish language into the skill. They were visited by Center Stage, a dance group from the University of Missouri, to learn new dance moves. They were even visited by Mizzou Forte, a co-ed a cappella singing group from MU. The children also got to meet the men of the Columbia College Cougars basketball team to discuss their dreams and goals. It was so successful, and we would like to thank all of the organizations and volunteers that made this possible. Special thanks to the Boys and Girls Club of Columbia for allowing us to show these children what else is possible. Until the next series....

"The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle." --Anais Nin.

DOTB Press: The Maneater

2009-09-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

Dream Outside the Box is featured in the Friday, September 25th issue of MOVE. This is the 13th page of the Maneater and we couldn't be more thrilled. It can also be viewed online.

CALENDAR UPDATE

2009-09-22T23:26:00.000-07:00

Click to Enlarge

Day 4: Karate

2009-09-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

Iti! Ni! San!!! To wrap up week two, the children were taught karate and how to incorporate the sport with Japanese. The Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan Karate Club taught the students Okinawan Goju Karate. The sport of karate is all about defending oneself. The children learned basic karate moves and learned what to do in dangerous situations from bullying on the playground to encounters with strangers. The week was fun and physically educational. In week three, the children will learn Italian and have special presentations by the Swing Society.

Day Four: Karate

2009-09-18T14:01:00.000-07:00

Day 3: Lacrosse

2009-09-16T12:16:00.000-07:00

The series continued in week two with the Mizzou Lacrosse Team. The MU Lax team (brought to us by captain Zach Graves) graciously arrived straight from a hard practice to the Boys and Girls Club where they brought approximately twenty-five members, their coach and even, practice pinnies, water bottles and lanyards with the Mizzou Lacrosse logo for the children. The children learned about the history and rules of lacrosse, how to play and were then able to cheer on the MU team as they passed and then take a turn at it themselves. The children who were the best behaved and remembered the most Spanish (the language of the week) were then able to participate in a short contest- of which, the winners received the aforementioned pinnies (reversible practice jerseys). One thing of note, was the location in which we held this presentation. The kids, the DOTB volunteers and the Lacrosse team all walked to the nearby elementary school's field. The kids were excited to be there as they are used to playing football here regularly. One child even asked, "Can we play football when we're done with this?" But as the time went on and the kids blocked, shot, and passed like true lax ladies and gentlemen, no word of "foot" or "ball" was uttered. Only "gracias" to our phenomenal presenters. Job well done.

Latest Calendar Update

2009-09-14T21:23:00.001-07:00

Click to enlarge

Day Two: Le Cheval and Chevre

2009-09-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

Our first week was a complete success!!! To wrap it up was a fun day full of horse wrangling, goat petting, and goat milk! The children learned about different agricultural careers and activities. They were taught about farm animals and even had the chance to pet goats and a horse. More French words were incorporated into these lessons to further broaden their multilingual vocabulary. Next week will include athletics and the Chinese language.

DOTB Day 1: French and La Glace (Ice Cream)

2009-09-08T21:10:00.000-07:00

Below are a few pictures from the first ever day of presentations for Dream Outside the Box. The children were introduced to the french language and were required to turn in a worksheet regarding what they want to be when they grow up in order to participate in making homemade ice cream. Little did they know, this fun activity was a segway into Thursday's presentations on agriculture and agriculture related careers. Don't you see a future food scientist below?

Click to Enlarge Our Tentative Schedule

2009-08-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

First Meeting of the Semester

2009-08-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

The first meeting of the semester is here!!!!!

It will be held Thursday, August 27, 2009 in Memorial Union South Room 304 from 5:30 to 6: 30 p.m. We will be discussing the September series and how each committee can help! Attendance is very important because we have so much to share with all of you.

If there are any questions, contact Kam Phillips at kamphillips@dreamoutsidethebox.org or at (817)-726-0535.

Isn't she something?

2009-07-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

President Obama Urges Children to [essentially] "Dream Outside the Box"

2009-07-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

The Language of Learning Beginning September 1st.

2009-07-07T20:47:00.000-07:00

Fall is almost here!!! As the new school year approaches, we must gather our plans for September and November. Each month will have its own special series and its own special overarching theme. The September series will focus on languages. This will consist of presenting the children with a broad spectrum of languages, displaying diversity from throughout the world and accomodating them into different activities. The weekly activities also have specific themes, for example, animals (horses, cows, etc.), alternative athletics (lacrosse, cycling, etc.), and the arts (photography, dance, etc.). Any questions regarding the September series, contact Kam Phillips at 817-726-0535.

DOTB proudly welcomes...

2009-05-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

Nzingha Prescod
Nzingha is a fencing phenom, whom DOTB is delighted to announce as the premier icon for the breaking of boudaries and shaking of stigmas. According to the Stuyvesant Spectator, Nzingha is currently ranked first in the national women’s cadet group (for fencers 17 years or younger), the junior category (20 years or younger) and the senior group (all ages). Last year she narrowly missed qualifying for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, partly, she said, because some key competitions interfered with school. Nzingha is on the track to competing in the 2012 Olympics.

Nzingha will serve for DOTB as an ambassador for change. DOTB intends to utilize the phenomenal achievements that Prescod has accomplished as a "eye-opener" to children of color that they too can do what their hearts desire. Most importantly, that fencing is something that they too can participate in.

Dream Outside the Box is proud to welcome Nzingha Prescod.

Monday Meeting Minutes

2009-05-13T23:09:00.000-07:00

The Arts Committee met on Monday, May 11 to discuss the September series and the art incorporation that will take place. The series will consist of the exposure to endeavors in conjunction art lesson, activities and interaction each week. The children will develop an art portfolio and pieces from their respective portfolios will be chosen to be auctioned off at Dream Outside the Box's first fundraiser (the location and date is to be determined).

The purpose of the art auction is to raise awareness and funding for Dream Outside the Box's mentorship programs. Equally important is the opportunity to allow the children to have the experience of presenting a piece with pride and grace and articulate to potential philanthropist their feelings about their piece and experiences with Dream Outside the Box.

Meeting on Monday

2009-05-09T14:32:00.001-07:00

The expanded arts committee will be meeting on Monday the 11th at 3 p.m at the Starbucks on Ninth Street. The meeting will discuss the upcoming series and it's tie-in to the first Dream Outside the Box fundraiser; what is projected to be an art auction at Pickard Hall. Any questions regarding the meeting on Monday can be directed to Kam Phillips at 817-726-0535.

2009-05-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

Overview

2009-05-07T10:10:00.001-07:00

Dream Outside the Box is an organization that would bring fairs and programs to schools and after-school programs in order to expose minority children to new and exciting endeavors such as fencing, sailing and rodeo and after a series of presentations give children to option to be paired with a mentor in one of the introduced fields in order to foster a lasting relationship and individual development in that area. Dream Outside the Box hopes to actively work to challenge the stigma among minorities and underprivileged children that they must go the stereotypical path like rapping or playing a “minority approved” sport such as football to break out of their situation. More so, that the typical activities are the only ones deemed acceptable in this community. Dream Outside the Box is meant to serve as a program to break stereotypes, broaden horizons, and instill in young people of color a self-image of themselves that will strengthen their resolve to realize their dreams.