Campus Kids Mentoring

By: Angie Funnell 

CCASL's mentoring program Campus Kids had their first Saturday Activity at Greenbluff farms! Approximately 100 GU student leaders, staff and meetees enjoyed a delightful day filled with activities inlcuding a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, hay maze, and even a "Pubkin Chunkin," where a pumpkin is shot out of a canon! Mentees came from five participating elementary schools, which include Logan, Bemiss, Longfellow, Garfield, and Stevens.

A student leader, Brianne Byers is a senior Business major at Gonzaga University and a CCASL student mentor through Campus Kids. Bri has always had a love for children and been a babysitter and nanny throughout her years of high school. Spending time with kids is a reminder of what is important to her in life- relationships.

Brianne has been a part of campus kids through CCASL since her freshman year. Bri has had the privilege to work with the same family the entire time. The relationship Bri has built with this family is very special and unique, because she was first able to work with her current mentee's older sister. Brianne has developed a beautiful, encouraging friendship with her mentee. Even when she studied abroad in Florence, Italy she was still able to keep up with her regular Tuesday activities with her mentee through skype! 

She said, "I think service gives us as students about the bigger picture in life. It shows us how giving back can directly affect people even when you might not directly notice it.  Service is a way for students to escape the simplicity of our lives and learn about someone else, focus the obsessive amount of attention we put on our schooling and bettering ourselves by helping others."

Brianne admires the soul purpose Campus Kids upholds, which is to help kids. She's said, "I believe after helping to raise my younger sister that kids have the most impact on the world and if they are not given a proper example they aren't going to understand what it means to be a leader. I love the mentality of Campus Kids and all of the staff which constantly encourages and supports students during their experience working with the elementary school students." 

To become a Student Mentor please contact Bailley Wootton at 509-313-6821 or wootton@gonzaga.edu or visit the website at Campus Kids.